North Cascades National Park

Ross Lake & Diablo Lake

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake are reservoirs formed by dams on the Skagit Hydroelectric Project, and Diablo Lake takes its milky turquoise tone from rock flour carried in by meltwater from glaciers. The Diablo Lake Overlook, on State Route 20, has views of the lake and peaks including Davis, Jack, Pyramid and Colonial, plus benches and a geology display. Ross Lake Overlook offers a shorter stop, and from it you can see Desolation Peak, where writer Jack Kerouac once worked as a fire lookout watchman. Paddlers can kayak, canoe, or motor boat on both lakes, and boat-in camps along their shorelines offer seclusion. Ross Lake Resort, the only lodging on the lake, can be reached only by hiking or boat, and it rents boats and runs a water taxi.

Cascade Pass

A popular day hike at the end of the Cascade River Road, the trail covers 3.7 miles one way and gains about 1,700 feet on its steady climb to a high pass with views of peaks and glaciers. From the pass, hikers can explore in several directions, and the route can be combined with Sahale Arm for a longer outing. Backcountry camping is not allowed at the pass itself, but nearby sites at Pelton Basin, Sahale Glacier, Basin Creek and Johannesburg serve overnight trips and backpacking. Interpretive rangers also lead guided hikes up the trail, stopping along the way to explain how the landscape has changed.

Rainy Pass

A lake, waterfalls and glacier views sit within an easy walk of the highway. The Rainy Lake Trail is a flat, paved route of about one mile through subalpine forest and wet meadows, starting at the Rainy Pass Picnic Site. It ends at an observation deck overlooking a glacier, waterfalls and the lake itself, and benches and interpretive signs line the way. Accessible parking and a toilet are available nearby. Hiking options extend from there: hikers wanting more can take the Maple Pass Loop from the same trailhead, a 7.2-mile route that is more challenging than the lake walk. Drivers can also follow the Highway 20 scenic drive, which runs past sharp summits, high meadows and old forest.

Stehekin

Visitors reach this community only by ferry across Lake Chelan, by float plane, or on foot, since no roads connect it to the outside world. The ferry ride up the lake, past dramatic scenery, is part of the experience. Hiking is a central activity here, with trails ranging from easy to strenuous, including the Agnes Gorge Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through, and the community serves as its first and last supply point, so thru-hikers are often seen resting here in summer and fall. The Stehekin Valley Shuttle carries riders along the valley road to trailheads and sights. The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin provides services, and camping ranges from lakeside sites to backpacking camps.