North Cascades
North Cascades National Park spans glaciated peaks, deep valleys, and pristine wilderness on the border of northern Washington. Known for alpine scenery and extensive trails, it provides excellent opportunities for hiking, backcountry camping, and climbing.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Pacific Northwest |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Whatcom County and Chelan County |
| District | North Cascades |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 48.7 |
| Longitude | -121.2 |
| Maps |
11:58 AM LOCAL TIMENorth Cascades National Park is a remote and rugged landscape of towering peaks, pine-forested valleys, and frozen glaciers. The park encompasses a core of steep mountain terrain surrounding the Cascade Crest, with some of the International Cascade Range's most dramatic and least-accessible geography; much of the area is off-limits to motorized vehicles and requires multi-day hikes or technical skills to access. Visitors come for strenuous multi-day hikes, alpine climbs, and calm lakes; popular base towns include Sedro-Woolley and Marblemount, with longer routes heading toward Rainy Pass and Ross Lake. Highlights include the North Cascades Highway, Diablo Lake, and the core route through Cascade Pass and _Current/ __Ross Lake corridor; overnight permits are required for backcountry camping. The landscape is defined by crystalline ridges, pinnacled summits, and tangled river systems, with climate strongly moderated by elevation—rising from near sea level at Ross Lake to over 3,200 meters at Kimberly and Glacier Peak, creating year-round snowpack and alpine regimes. Activities range from day hikes and paddling to technical climbs, with trails serving accessible walks and longer route-finding trips. Prepare for rapidly changing weather, high elevation wind, and leave-no-trace ethics to protect this fragile environment.
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