North Cascades National Park is located in northern Washington on the Canadian border. It is comprised of jagged mountain peaks with lowland valleys, and ranges from about 1,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation. Glaciers and ice sheets once fully covered the North Cascade mountain range and eventually formed many bodies of water throughout it, including Lake Chelan and Rainbow Falls. More than 500 lakes and ponds can be found at the foot of alpine mountain peaks. This wilderness is extremely isolated, with only one major access road (State Route 20,) that is often closed in the winter due to stormy conditions. Mid-June through September is generally the best time to visit.
An abundance of waterfalls flow down the North Cascades, which is how the area got its name. The park has more than 300 glaciers still intact, though they are melting more rapidly with each decade. Easy walks or steep climbs will take you up to some of the most beautiful lakes in the country. Many people enjoy the climb up to Desolation Peak because they get a magnificent view of Hozomeen Mountain and Ross Lake on the way. Visitors enjoy the hike from the Cascade Pass Trail to Glory Mountain. There is a convenient shuttle bus from this location to the Stehekin Valley. If you visit Lake Chelan, you can also catch a ferry to the Stehekin area. Mountain bike rentals are available there, and several good biking routes at the park are fun to take in the summer. In the winter, tourists like to head east up to the popular skiing location Mount Baker.
Other activities in the area include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Mountain biking can be strenuous here, but it is well worth the views. The abundance of water sources such as Ross Lake and Diablo Lake are great fishing locations that contain more than 25 species of fish, including Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. People also enjoy fly-fishing at the numerous streams and rivers in the park. There are canoe, motorboat, and kayak rentals available as well.
North Cascades National Park is a place with an intriguing past. Walking through some of the most remote locations, and you might find abandoned mines or historically preserved public buildings. Throughout time, an abundance of wildlife have lived in the forested and upper alpine regions of the park. About 75 mammals and 200 species of birds currently live in the diverse ecosystems here. Wolves, deer, bears, eagles, and owls are among the many animals that make this park their habitat. Numerous kinds of trees, wildflowers, and fungi have been discovered here also. There is undoubtedly a lot to see at North Cascades National Park. Tourists should be aware of cold weather in the mountains and rainy weather often in the lower regions throughout the year, so dress accordingly.
For more information or to make reservations at the North Cascades National Park log on to: www.NationalParkReservations.com or call toll free 1-866-875-8456.