North Cascades National Park
- bhatnagarcharu
- Aug 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Another one checked off my list. Ever had a feeling, that of a microscopic minuscule existence?? The thought revolves around me every time I visit a national park. Nature speaks for itself when we dwell in a unperturbed beauty like Cascades! A crude, expanse, geographically raw, relatively new National Park! North Cascades National Park!
Kicking off this reminiscence with a song in my mind. ‘All too well…🎵’ by Taylor Swift...Wind in my hair, I remember it all too well🎶. Can you relate?
Having covered almost all of the US national parks, this one shouts out for its rugged beauty studded by glaciers and lakes, blanketed by forests and threaded by rivers. Steep, nearly vertical slopes converge in narrow river valleys that offer ways into the wilderness.
Flew from Dallas to Seattle, this one was a five day summer trip filled with hiking, nature trails, peace, rest and serene absorption of nature. We started our trip with Seattle, Anacortes Ferry on Day1. Visited Orca Island that had to offer loads of creativity, art and culture. A niche Crow Valley Pottery in Orca Island was a mental breeze. We had time to take ferry back, headed out for an excursion by hiking along the Cascade Lake in Moran State Park. Visited Eastbound Village, historic Mount Constitution with beautiful island backdrops and filled our forever empty tummies with scrumptious sea food. What you will see next is an array of top 4 clicks at the Orca Island
We began Cascades on our second day from Rockport. Lodged at Sedro Valley, Kulshan Hotel.
Just as a tip for any family trip, go by what Shakespear said...'Whats in a name'! And you will find better and much reliable places to stay. Kulshan was amazing in breakfast, comfort and location for Cascades. Located in Sedro Valley, it places you right in the center of Ancortes and Rockport, so you get a head start on Day 2 towards Cascades.
Picket Range & North Cascades Visitor Center
We started from east of Rockport, WA 98283, USA 3, stopped at The North Cascades Visitor Center to grab some souvenirs and ofcourse do an an easy boardwalk offering a magnificent view of the Picket Range in the distance.
Established in 1968 by JF Kennedy, this park is pretty young in formal recognition 😊, yet known for its multiple distinct landmasses that were added over millions of years through tectonic activity. Would you be surprised if I tell you that Sedro Valley (Woolley) was once known as 'Bug' beacuse of the abundance of mosquitoes around in 1884-85. The name did not stick. You will come to know as we get along here in this blog.
Trail Of Cedars
The Early settlers were mainly the loggers, lumberjacks. They would have logger rodeos as annual chainsaw competition. These activities gave them good source of income. We headed to Newhalem to walk the lovely Trail of Cedars across the Skagit river.
They say one of the early settlers Adam Valentine, who was incharge of roads built the homestead. Helped settlers get from one place to other. Adam took down the Cedars to built roads. In 1885, they discovered concrete (lime stone deposit) for manufacturing cement. Then it's histroy. The bridge above is a beautiful suspension over the river. Surrounded by the aura of cedars and the Skagit.
Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views from the suspension .
Gorge Powerhouse - Ladder Creek Falls trail.
Thunder Knob Trail
We had our plans for the right kind and number of trails to hike. Chose Thunder knob for us to give flavor of elevation hike as it is steep, yet manageable, and comfortable for family with stops and broader turns. In a nutshell it is a gem that delievrs big views, tranquil nature in just a few miles. Perfect for family! What you get in the end? Beautiful scenery, exertion full on backcountry trekking experience and turquoise Diablo Lake framed by peaks like Davis Peak, Sourdough Moutnain, Colonial Peak , Pyramid Peak and Jack Mountain.
It's a four hour trail for beginners, for us it was 3.5 hours., 4 miles stretch and 635 ft elevation gain.
One thing I love hiking with family is the test of the bond that tie us together, you are on the lookout for each other and you become accomodatiing to each one's needs. Who says parenting begins at home!!! The charm of walking together is exuberant here!
After an exhaustive hike, we sat by the stream of water, quenched our thirst. The fresh water touching our face resurrected us.
The T-shirt shopping was done weeks before we had planned for the trip. Now this brings us to the point where a trip is not only an excursion, it is also enjoying other associaetd and tagged activities with it. For example....you know what I am going to say here....lol yes it’s Shopping!
Diablo Lake Overlook.
This probably is the most iconic and inevitable vista point on a NCNP trip. The lake glows surreal turquoise blue -green, created by glacial flour. If you look carefully you can soetimes spot the Diablo Dam that forms the lake, part of the Seattle city Light's Skagit River Hydroelectric project.
At about 1200 ft elevation, you are high above the lake with sweeping panoramas.
Washington Pass Overlook.
Washington Pass Overlook is one of the crown jewels of the North Cascasdes Highway (State Route 20) and honestly the most breathtaking roadside views in Washington. We did the short paved trail (~0.25 miles round trip) from the parking lot to the viewpoint.
The view has the cascading array of the Liberty Bell Mountain thats the dramatic granite spires of the Liberty Bell group rise directly above the overlook - jagged , sheer and iconic for climbers.
Early Winters Spires, just to the right of the Liberty Bell adding to the dramatic skyline.
Highway 20 below where you can see the road winding in hairpin turns as it climbs towards the pass - one of the most scenic stretches of the highway in the US
I am gald we visited it during the best time of the year. And thats summer, with clear alpine views
A short interpretive trail offers multiple views of the majestic North Cascades peaks including Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winters Spires, and Kangaroo Ridge. Now, I too had no idea why they would name it as Kangaroo, but the way the range stands, it appears to be kangaroo hitting the sky.
Although partially paved, the trail is narrow and includes rock stairs
We did not do either Cutthrot Lake or Blue Lake Trail. Considering it to be moderate, we planned it. However, a family trip goes with the family vibe and we were almost done with the hike after Thunder knob.
Rainy Pass Trailhead
You know how it is, you expect the unexpected on an adventure like this. This was a gem next day 3, with not much elevation, friendly and easy walk trail ended with a beautiful water falls from the cascade range where you see mirror image of the mountains in the crystal clear rainy lake. Mosquito repellent is a must for this trail.
The memories that this trip created for us will last forever. And when I pen it down, its remains with generations.
We headed towards Leavenworth and Mount Hood for the next two days…so more to come in the next blog. Leavenworth a German pretty town full of exemplary downtown views with cascade range backdrops. Stay tuned!
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