Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [297]
Bridge Creek Trail
29 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Trailhead at Bridge Creek Bridge on Stehekin Valley Rd.; other end of trail is at Bridge Creek trailhead, east of Rainy Pass on Wash. State Rte. 20. Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at the Wash. State Rte. 20 end.
This backcountry hike ascends steadily (though never too steeply) to Wash. State Route 20 through some beautiful valleys, after a short hike along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail (see the introduction to this section, above). The trail affords beautiful views of Goode Mountain and Mount Logan, as well as the massive ice-hangs below Memaloose Ridge.
Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm Trail
11 miles RT. Moderate. Access: From Marblemount on Wash. State Rte. 20, cross bridge and drive east 23 miles on Cascade River Rd. to trailhead. Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking along Cascade River Rd. and at Cascade Pass trailhead.
This is one of the most popular hikes in the park. Starting high above the valley of the North Fork Cascade River, the trail follows an ancient American Indian trading route over the Cascades to Lake Chelan. Today the trail is popular as a day trip, an overnight trip, a climber's route to some challenging North Cascades rock, and a through trail to Stehekin. For a spectacular day hike, climb to the top of Cascade Pass (3.7 miles), then continue to ascend on a trail to the left until you cross a ridge. Soon you will be traversing Sahale Arm, far above jewel-like Doubtful Lake. From here, there are sweeping views of the North Cascades.
Park Creek Pass
8 miles one-way. Moderate to strenuous. Access: Park Creek Campground, Stehekin Valley Rd.
Though this hike is often crowded in the summer with people passing through Stehekin, it's still worth it. Make your way up the steep, forested slopes toward the alpine meadows beyond Five Mile Camp. From here on up it's glacier lilies and the cracking of calving glacier ice on the slopes of Goode Mountain. Huge chunks of ice have been known to crash into the valley below the slopes. Look for slabs as big as your average house. Beyond the 6,000-foot Park Creek Pass, you can connect with the Thunder Creek Trail (see above) for a much longer hike to the Ross Lake Area and State Route 20.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK—NORTHERN UNIT
The backcountry trails in this region, such as Hannegan Trail and Big Beaver Trail, aren't easy to get to, but they're worth the effort. Here you'll find some of the most stupendous mountain views in the park complex. This is the most remote wilderness area in the state, home to abundant wildlife. From virgin forests in glacial valleys to high meadows with head-on views of the park's jagged Picket Range, these hikes have everything.
Start at the Mount Baker Wilderness trailhead in the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, near the north section of the North Cascades National Park Northern Unit. From the town of Glacier, drive 13 miles to F.S. 32 (Hannegan Rd.), and continue to the trailhead at the Hannegan Camp at the road's end. You can also take a water taxi, which must be arranged in advance, up Ross Lake and start your hike from the Big Beaver Landing. Check with the Ross Lake Resort (☎ 206/386-4437) for information and fares.
Other Sports & Activities
Biking. Riding off the road is not allowed in the park complex, but there are several good biking routes. Keep in mind that biking is usually best in late July and August, but even then, bad weather can descend