Hiking North Cascades National Park
Some of the west’s most rugged, dramatically sculpted, high-alpine terrain lies within the parameters of the Cascade Range that stretches from British Columbia southward into northern California. Glaciation claims a major share of the credit for the rugged character of North Cascades National Park and remains an active force today. More than 300 glaciers are found within the national park – more than any other park outside of Alaska and comprising a third of all the glaciers in the lower 48 states. The region is also marked by incredible diversity. The west facing slopes receive abundant precipitation from the Pacific and are heavily forested. The eastern, or leeward slopes, lie within the Cascades rain shadow where sunshine is prevalent, rainfall infrequent and vegetation sparse.
Diverse Experiences in the North Cascades
Our North Cascades National Park hiking tour will emphasize the diverse experiences that are so prominent in the region. We’ll explore the area from the west and the east, from the narrow Skagit River Valley and the expansive Methow Valley, and from the adjoining national forests to the high alpine meadows in the central peaks. We hike above treeline in the center of the park, and through adjacent valleys and lake shores. The region has a small window for exploration between melting spring snows with high alpine flowers and early winter storms that add to the everlasting glaciers, so don’t miss your opportunity. One of the reasons very few companies will offer tours in this area is the lack of amenities close by. Trails are so remote that you can expect an hour drive each morning to the best ones, and this is only when we stay in the closest accommodations. Our stays will be in historic, family run resorts with rustic rooms and restaurants that may or may not be open. Our guides are well up to the task of providing more than adequate options for our guests, and all agree that the hiking experience is well worth any lack of extravagance.
