I spent three days in North Cascades National Park. In addition to just enjoying the scenery of rugged mountains, beautiful waters, and interesting plants, I hiked to Easy Pass, Blue Lake, and Maple Pass. While most animals were scarce, I did see some marmots during one hike plus a spattering of deer, chipmunks, and birds during my stay.
Sights Along North Cascades Highway
The North Cascades Highway makes its east-west path through the national park. Here are a few of the sights visible from the overlooks, turnouts, and viewpoints beside the highway.
Gorge Lake
Gorge Creek
Diablo Lake and Davis Peak
(L to R) Colonial Peak and Pyramid Peak
Snow Dusted Mountain
Green Cleft below Peaks
North Cascades Highway with Mountain Backdrop
Black Crags
Liberty Bell Mountain (far right) and the Early Winter Spires
Mountain Ridge Seen from Washington Pass Overlook
Easy Pass
This trail was over seven miles out and back and took me six hours to complete. I was very tired by the end, mostly due to the hike's 2,900-foot elevation gain. The trail began in a pine forest with plenty of undergrowth.
Trail through Forest
Western Bunchberry
I crossed back and forth over Easy Pass Creek many times on its climb to the mountain pass. I used a bridge, some thin logs that had been laid down, and stepped across on rocks when it was nearer to its origin.
Easy Pass Creek
Makeshift Creek Crossing
At one point, I caught a glimpse of what was ahead.
Mountain above the Trees
A little later, I got a good view of where I was headed. But first, I had to navigate through dense bushes and plants that often crowded the trail.
Forward through the Greenery toward the 'V' between the Mountains
Trail through Bushes
When I broke out into the open, the majestic mountains towered around me.
Snow & Rockslide at Base of Mountain
Kitling Peak
Wall of Solid Rock
Now it was time to navigate the steepest part of the trail to the mountain pass.
Easy Pass Ahead and to the Left
Hardy wildflowers dotted the landscape among the rocks at this higher elevation.
Pink Mountain Heath
White Pasqueflower
From the time I broke out into the open, the trail made its way almost entirely over rocks. I had to be a little extra careful with my footing during this latter section of the trail.
Final Ascent
When I arrived at Easy Pass, the views were impressive. The only downside was that the mosquitos, flies, and midges were so numerous and bothersome, I couldn't sit down to rest, have a snack, and soak in the views.
Snowy Crags beyond Easy Pass
More Mountains beyond Easy Pass
Start of Return Trip from Easy Pass
Instead, I looked around fairly quickly and then began the return trip.
To Get Back, Go through Pale Green Patch and Turn Left
Blue Lake
I hiked first through dense forest. Several low and long wooden walkways were placed over low areas where runoff passes, or water collects. At this time of year, most of the trail was dry.
Forested Trail
Raised Platform
As I slowly climbed, I was able to see the mountains across the valley.
Crags above the Trees
Sparsely Covered Mountains
As the elevation increased, the terrain became increasingly rocky.
Rocky Trail
At one point, I temporarily emerged from the forest to a nice view.
Break in the Forest
Mountain Rises above the Trees
One of the wildflowers that stood out to me was this white one with pink highlights.
Sitka Valerian
At a fork in the trail where mountain climbers split off, I was able to see the Liberty Bell Group Spires (although the morning sun did cast considerable glare).
(L to R) Liberty Bell Mountain, Concord Tower, Lexington Tower, North Early Winter Spire, South Early Winter Spire
When I first arrived at Blue Lake, the shadows made it hard to see its signature color. However, it did have neat reflection of the surrounding rocks and snow. Once I went around to the far side of it, the blue began to stand out.
Blue Lake upon Arrival
Blue Lake from Above
View from Right Side of Blue Lake
The crest near the lake provided another view of the mountains across the valley as I began my return to the trailhead.
Mountains as Leaving Blue Lake
Maple Pass
This was my favorite hike within the national park. While its 2,100-foot elevation gain was challenging, only about a half-mile portion of the loop trail seemed difficult. That may have been due to the countless times I stopped to stare in awe at the beautiful mountains, lakes, and terrain.
I began the hike by making my way through forest and climbing back and forth along a ridge. It wasn't too long before I came to an opening with a mountain above and a slope of greenery that tapered into a small valley.
Mountain Above
Sloping Greenery
I chose to take the 1-mile roundtrip detour to Lake Ann. With plenty of plant life crowding its shores, it was difficult to get a good look. Fortunately, the views improved exponentially once I returned to the main trail and climbed a bit along the ridge.
By the Shore of Lake Ann
When I arrived at Heather Pass, I saw a small colony of marmots.
Approach to Heather Pass
Two Marmots (There were another half dozen offscreen)
Marmot among the Rocks
The views at the pass did not disappoint as my curiosity to see what was on the far side led me to leave the main trail again.
Jon at Heather Pass
Mountains beyond Heather Pass
After I returned to the main trail, I continued on, got another spectacular view of Lake Ann and made my way along the curve of the ridge.
View of Lake Ann while between Passes
Approach to Maple Pass
I did not have very long to go before I reached Maple Pass.
Peaks beyond Maple Pass
Distant Peaks
Beyond this second pass, I came to the most challenging section of the hike as I made my way along the top of the crest and navigated over a few patches of snow. This being the highest point combined with the steepest climbs meant I stopped a little more often to catch my breath.
I then began to descend back towards the valley floor. As I dropped in elevation, the snow disappeared, and I returned to the thriving plant life.
Trail Zigzags off the Crest to the Left
Last of the Snow
View upon Descent
Dotted among the green grasses, plants, shrubs, and trees on both ends of the hike were wildflowers, some of them new to me.
Edible Thistle
Davidson's Penstemon
Before I reentered the forest and made my way back to the trailhead, the final picturesque sights were a waterfall on Bridge Creek which then fed into the bluish green Rainy Lake.
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