This large park (505,000 acres/202,000 hectares) in the northern part of the state includes glaciers (hundreds of them), deep coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Mule deer, mountain goats and black bears freely roam the area. This rugged and varied wilderness is not as well known as other national parks, but North Cascades is one of the best attractions in the Pacific Northwest.
Stop at the park headquarters in Sedro Woolley for information about hiking trails and things to do (open June to mid-October daily 8 am-4:40 pm). Highlights include the Cascade Pass, Rainbow Loop and Pyramid Lake trails. Activities include camping, picnicking (the Cascade Valley is especially pretty), mountain climbing, horseback riding, and boating and fishing (in Ross Lake or Lake Chelan). Highway 20 is the main access route, but snow often closes it in winter—check before your departure.
For more information, contact the National Park Service. Phone 360-854-7200. http://www.nps.gov/noca. North Cascades National Park is 85 mi/135 km northeast of Seattle.
