|
|
 |
In the summer SR 542 is extended a couple miles to Artist's
Point. Along this section of road is the trailhead for
Lake Ann.
|
| The
trail
drops precipitously at first before regaining all that elevation on
the way
to the lake basin. Views of Mt. Shuksan's
Lower Curtis Glacier are best in the afternoon. |
| left: Lake Ann
- 8 miles, 1900ft gain. |
|
|
The prime backpacking area in North Cascades National Park is accessed from the Hannegan Pass trailhead near the end of SR 542 |
|
Hannegan Peak
-
10 miles, 3000ft gain.
This is the most popular destination for day
hikers although it would be better as an overnight trip as the summit has marvelous 360 degree views and
is a wonderful place to
watch the sunrise.
|
left: Ruth Mountain
- 12 mile, 4000ft
This is the
summit that forms the south end of Hannegan Pass. The trailhead is usually
snow free
by June and the heavy foot traffic makes route finding a
non-issue. The route requires an ice axe and the ability to
self arrest. |
|
| Beyond Hannegan Pass the trail splits with the north
fork leading to the Copper Lake and the Copper Ridge Lookout, 22.8
miles 4930ft
|
 |
| The south fork follows the Chilliwack River Valley and
forms a 34.5 mile loop. Another trail branches off here
and follows Brush Creek before reaching a scenic climax at
Whatcom Pass 34 miles, 5700ft
|
| About a mile from Whatcom Pass is the Tapto Lakes Basin
with suburb views of Mt. Challenger and Whatcom
Peak. right - 2 miles 900ft return from
Whatcom Pass
|
|
 |
The Blum Lakes Basin is 5000ft above the Baker River
Trail on an indeterminate climbers trail. |
| The views of Mt. Hagen left
and Mt. Shuksan from
Vista Lake below are
well worth the effort. This route is also part of
a grand traverse that includes the incredible
Green and Berdeen Lakes. |
|
|
|
| The other prime hiking area is on the eastern edge of the
park near Rainy Pass and Washington Pass.
|
 |
| Easy Pass is actually a strenuous day hike 7.2 miles
return with 2800ft gain |
| Its a nice trail but far more interesting are the Silent
Lakes, an off-trail scramble in the same basic area. |
| right: Black Peak
and the Silent Lakes |
| From Easy Pass the route drops down to Fisher Basin and
climbs up 800ft through a
steep
rocky gully. The gully holds snow & ice late
into the
season so having a set of crampons would be idea |
|
Total
return distance from the Easy Pass trailhead to the lakes: 17 miles, 4800ft gain. |
|
 |
Our favourite hiking spot
is not actually in the park. In the vicinity of Rainy Pass are a multitude
of larch trees and in mid- October its pure gold.
|
| left: Larches
above Lewis Lake |
|
| There are two official trails . One is a 1.4 mile paved
path to Rainy Lake and the other is the popular
Heather Pass to Maple Pass Loop. This trail features a long
ridge walk high above the cirque of Lake Ann.
7.2 miles 2000ft
|
 |
|
A modest off trail scramble branches off from Heather Pass and leads to spectacular Lewis
lake and Wing Lake to 9.5 return.
|
|
Right: Lewis
Lake and 8970ft Black Peak |
 |
|
above:
Wing Lake |
|
|
Another great larch hike is the one to Blue Lake.
This short easy hike leads to a pleasant little lake that has nice views
of Liberty Bell Mountain
and the Early Winter Spires. 4.4 miles 1100ft
|
|
Left: Early
Winter Spires from Blue Lake
|
| There are also larches at Stiletto Lake, a
cross country destination reached from either Copper Pass or Twisp Pass.
10 mile Loop, 3100ft |
| The first leg of the Pacific Crest Trail
north of Hwy 20 is also known for larches, specifically at Cutthroat Pass
10 miles return 2000ft and at the Snowy
Lakes 23 miles 2700ft which lie beneath
8366ft Golden Horn. |
| Harts Pass provides another access point to the PCT.
Day hike destinations include Grasshopper Pass to the south 11 miles
660ft and Windy Pass to the north 7.4 miles 1000ft |
| North and east of Harts Pass is the vast expanse of the Pasayten Wilderness, a haven for backpackers
who prefer solitude to spectacular scenery. As you travel east you
encounter more gentle terrain and endless possibilities for cross country
exploring. The Irongate trailhead in particular is
popular in early summer when other destinations are still snowed
in. You can day hike to Sunny Pass 10 miles
1400ft or extend the trip to Horseshoe
Basin 14.4 miles 1500ft |
| Tiffany Mountain 6 miles, 1742ft is another hike out this way
that can be either an early summer option or someplace to go
when the weather is less than ideal west of the crest. |
|
|
The core area of the park near Diablo Lake has few good
hiking options. The Sourdough Mountain Lookout is
worthwhile but also quite challenging 11 miles 5100ft
|
 |
|
Thornton Lakes is a more modest but the hike up isn't worth it unless
you go all
the way up to Trappers Peak. There is a bit of scrambling involved but the
reward is marvelous 360 degree
views of the elusive Picket Range. 10 miles, 3360ft gain
|
|
right: Thornton Lake
|
|
Cascade River Road has a couple excellent day
hikes. Hidden
Lake Lookout is suburb 9
miles, 3200ft gain |
|
There are a couple of popular climbers routes, the one to
Eldorado is to much for most hikers but the one to Boston Basin
is worthwhile 8 miles 3000ft |
|
Cascade Pass is the most popular trail in North Cascades
National Park. The first leg to the
pass 7.4 miles 1800ft is a breeze but scenery improves considerably
the farther you make it up Sahale Arm. 12.4 miles 5000ft. |
|
