The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a popular and hot tourist destination from late March to early April in the Skagit Valley of Mount Vernon, Washington, USA. The acres and acres of land suddenly burst to life with blooming tulips of every shade, color, and variety. With Mt Rainier on backdrop, this becomes a perfect spot to sit, admire, and enjoy nature.
These photos are from our visit to Skagit Valley during the first week of April, 2010.
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Quick Facts and Tips
Best time to visit
Late winter to early spring (late March to early April)
Tulip Bloom highly depends on mother nature, be sure to check the updates on Skagit Tulip Festival
Fly into: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Do not forget to bring a light jacket, rain gear, umbrella
North Cascades National Park 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.
Mount Shuksan Reflection on Picture Lake, Mt Baker Highway
Heather Meadows, Picture Lake, and Mt Shuksan, Mt Baker Highway
Picture Lake with Mt Shuksan in the background
Mt Shuksan, Mt Baker Highway
Hanging Glacier on the north slopes of Mount Shuksan, Mt Baker Highway
Mt Shuksan, Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Chain Lakes Loop Trail, Artist Point
Mt Baker, Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Mt Baker, Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Mt Baker, Chain Lakes Loop Trail
View of Mt Shuksan, Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Nooksack Falls Trail, Mt Baker Highway
Nooksack Falls, Mt Baker Highway
North Cascades Highway
North Cascades Highway
Skagit River, Gorge Creek Falls Trail
Pyramid Peak and Diablo Lake Dam
Pyramid Peak, View from the Diablo Lake Dam
Diablo Lake Dam, Diablo Dam Road
Diablo Lake Lookout, North Cascade Highway
Rainy Lake, North Cascades Highway
Rainy Lake Trail
Rainy Lake Trail
View of Liberty Bell Mountain at Washington Pass
Washington Pass, North Cascades Highway
Ross Lake, North Cascades Highway
North Cascades Highway
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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.
