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North Cascades National Park, Washington


North Cascades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) is in Washington State, USA and is well known for its North American Alps, conifer-clad mountain ranges, picturesque lakes, cascading waterfalls, and glaciers. This park is usually overshadowed by other two national parks, Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, but North Cascades park is really a hidden treasure of Washington state.

These photos are from a two day trip to North Cascades National park in late August 2013.

  • A close-up landscape of the jagged, glaciated summit of Mount Shuksan, towering over a dense ridgeline of evergreen trees in North Cascades National Park.
  • A sweeping view of the Mount Shuksan massif featuring its rugged rock faces and expansive snowfields above a deep, evergreen-lined glacial valley under a clear blue sky.
  • A crisp, symmetrical reflection of Mount Shuksan and the surrounding evergreen trees in the perfectly still, glass-like surface of Picture Lake.
  • Picture Lake, Mt Baker Highway, A scenic view of Mount Shuksan reflecting in Picture Lake, framed by evergreen branches and vibrant red mountain ash berries in the foreground under a clear sky.
  • A vibrant landscape of Mount Shuksan with its snow-dusted peaks reflecting in the calm waters of Picture Lake, surrounded by lush evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.
  • A wide view of Mount Shuksan rising above the deep blue waters of Picture Lake, surrounded by a dense evergreen forest under a clear summer sky.
  • A wide view of Mount Shuksan’s snow-covered peaks under a bright blue sky, with the Heather Meadows Visitor Center visible among the evergreen forest in the foreground.
  • A rugged, close-up view of Mount Shuksan’s rocky summit and prominent hanging glaciers under a clear sky, showing the contrast between the dark stone and the bright white snow and ice.
  • A wide landscape view of the snow-capped Mount Shuksan towers over green ridgelines and rocky slopes along the Chain Lakes Loop in Washington.
  • Scenic view of Mount Shuksan's jagged peaks from the rocky Chain Lakes Loop trail at Artist Point, Washington.
  • Chain Lakes Loop Trail, Artist Point, The massive, glaciated white peak of Mount Baker framed by dark green evergreen trees under a clear blue summer sky.
  • Chain Lakes Loop Trail, Artist Point, The massive, glaciated white peak of Mount Baker framed by dark green evergreen trees under a clear blue summer sky.
  • Wide vista of the glaciated peaks of Mt. Shuksan under a clear blue sky, viewed from the rocky alpine tundra of Artist Point in Washington.
  • A group of hikers on the Chain Lakes Loop trail near Artist Point, with a panoramic view of the snow-covered Mount Baker peak and lush alpine slopes under a bright blue sky.
  • The snow-covered peak of Mount Baker stands behind the rocky ridge of Coleman Pinnacle under a clear blue sky in the North Cascades.
  • A group of hikers on the Chain Lakes Loop trail near Artist Point, with a panoramic view of the snow-covered Mount Baker peak and lush alpine slopes under a bright blue sky.
  • Close-up of thick, bright green moss hanging from a curved tree branch in a sunlit Pacific Northwest forest.
  • A powerful double waterfall cascading over dark, jagged rocks surrounded by a lush green evergreen forest in Washington.
  • A distant view of a waterfall cascading down a dense green mountain valley in North Cascades National Park, with rugged rocky peaks visible in the background.
  • An asphalt road leads into a concrete tunnel cut through a steep, moss-covered rocky mountainside in North Cascades National Park.
  • A high-angle view looking down at the turquoise Skagit River flowing through a narrow, forested canyon along the Gorge Creek Falls Trail.
  • A view of the concrete Diablo Dam with its distinct white light posts, stretching across the vibrant turquoise water of Diablo Lake with evergreen mountains and rocky peaks in the background.
  • A wide scenic view of the North Cascades mountains in Washington, featuring jagged snow-dusted peaks rising above steep, evergreen-covered slopes and a winding road nestled into the cliffside.
  • A concrete dam bridge with classic white lamp posts stretches across the bright turquoise water of Diablo Lake against a backdrop of forested mountains.
  • Panoramic view of the vibrant turquoise Diablo Lake surrounded by evergreen forests and mountains in North Cascades National Park, Washington
  • A peaceful view of Rainy Lake in North Cascades National Park, WA, with clear green water reflecting the surrounding cliffs and waterfalls.
  • A detailed macro shot of white Pearly Everlasting wildflowers with yellow centers against a soft, blurred green background.
  • A close-up of a Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) mushroom with a bright yellow-orange cap and white spotted warts, growing on the forest floor in North Cascades National Park, Washington
  • A close-up shot of several smooth, light orange mushrooms growing from a dark, mossy log in North Cascades National Park, Washington
  • Liberty Bell Mountain (Washington Pass Overlook), The jagged granite peaks of Liberty Bell Mountain viewed from the accessible Washington Pass Overlook in the North Cascades.
  • Washington Pass Overlook, North Cascades Highway, A vertical shot looking past a weathered, twisted tree trunk toward a winding highway in a deep mountain valley under a cloudy sky.
  • Sharp, rocky mountain peaks partially obscured by low-hanging white clouds under a blue sky in the North Cascades.

Quick Facts and Tips

  • Best Time to Visit
    • Summer Months: July to August when wildflowers are blooming.
    • Spring and Fall Months: Pleasant, but most park roads will be closed.
  • Fly into: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington USA
  • Clothing
    • Comfortable pants, hiking shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, capri, sweatshirts, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, and rain gears. Spring and fall will be cool, so dress in layers.
  • How Many Days
    • Main Attractions: 1-2 days
    • Doing Hiking/Camping: 3-5 Days
  • What to Expect
    • Vast wilderness of conifer-clad mountains, Glaciers, Mountain Ridges, Wildflower, Clear Lakes, Waterfalls, Green Valleys, Wildlife
  • Be sure to check the Park Website for alerts on road closures and current trail conditions.
  • Entrance Fee: Free.
  • Take food, water, and start early in the morning, so you can spend the day touring, as there are only few restaurants throughout the park.
  • Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed.
  • There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that the camera is fully charged and also keep backup batteries and memory cards.
  • Places to Visit
    • North Cascade Highway: Diablo Lake, Rainy Lake, Liberty Bell, Washington Pass, Ross Lake
    • Mt Baker Highway: Nooksack Falls, Picture Lake, Artist Point, Mt Baker Wilderness Area
  • Best things to do
    • Drive the scenic North Cascade Highway. Stop at all the lookouts to enjoy and capture the beauty of nature.
    • Enjoy the beauty of the unique and intense turquoise color of Diablo Lake at Diablo Lake overlook. Astonishing views are easy to access, right at the parking lot. There are some picnic tables, so that you can relax and relish the gorgeous Diablo lake views.
    • Enjoy hiking to the beautiful Rainy lake. The hike is in the lush green woods and winds through wildflowers, waterfalls, and streams.
    • Visit Washington Pass Overlook, the last point of interest on the eastbound of North Cascade Highway, which offers a stunning view of Liberty Bell Mountain.
    • Enjoy the drive through the scenic Mt Baker Highway and visit Picture Lake and Artist point. Artist point is the starting point for many great trails in the Mt. Baker area.
  • Popular Hikes on North Cascade Highway
  • Popular Hikes on Mt Baker Highway
  • Nearby Attractions
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