North Cascades National Park guide · 2 min read
Driving the North Cascades Highway (SR 20)
The North Cascades Highway, also called State Route 20, is the only paved road in North Cascades National Park.
It crosses about 30 miles of the park, so set aside at least an hour for the drive. From the west, the highway meets Interstate 5 at Burlington, and from the east it connects with United States Route 97 at Okanogan.
Much of the drive follows the Skagit River. Three dams stand along its length, and the earliest were built in the 1920s and 1930s. Together they supply about a fifth of the electricity Seattle uses. Newhalem, a company town along the route, is home to people who work for the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.
Diablo Lake Overlook sits right on the highway, with a few lookout points spread around a sizable parking area and restrooms nearby. The lake's milky green-blue color comes from rock flour, a fine silt that melting glaciers grind from the rock and carry into the water. For the best colors, visit on a clear day, since overcast skies dull the water.
From Gorge Lake Overlook, you look down over the Skagit Gorge toward Gorge Dam, which produces hydroelectric power. The paved path to the overlook covers about 400 meters round trip. Beyond that, an optional unpaved path of roughly 600 meters winds through the forest, with more glimpses of the river, before it returns you to the parking area. Along the highway, pull over at Gorge Creek Bridge and look for Gorge Creek Falls in the ravine.
The drive passes old-growth forest, waterfalls, and jagged peaks. If you want an extra walk, look up Trail of the Cedars before you go. Check road conditions before you set out, since winter weather can affect the highway. The Washington State Department of Transportation posts updates and pass history online.
