Trails Illustrated Map 2 - N. Cascades Nat'l Pk
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Trails Illustrated Map 2 - N. Cascades Nat'l Pk
North Cascades National Park contains some of America's most breathtakingly beautiful scenery -- high jagged peaks, steep ridges, deep valleys, countless cascading waterfalls and about 318 glaciers -- within its 505,000 acres (202,000 hectares).
Ross Lake National Recreation Area (118,000 acres, 47,200 hectares) provides the corridor for the scenic Washington State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, and includes three reservoirs: 12,000-acre (4,800-hectare) Ross Lake, 910-acre (364-hectare) Diablo Lake, and 210-acre (84-hectare) Gorge Lake -- water gateways to more remote areas.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (62,000 acres, 24,800 hectares) rests in a glacially carved trough in the Cascades Range. Lake Chelan reaches a depth of 1,500 feet (450 meters), making it one of the nation's deepest lakes, and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeshore camping. Though the average width is less than two miles (3.2 kilometers), Lake Chelan extends almost 55 miles (88 kilometers) into the Cascade Mountains. At its deepest point Lake Chelan drops to 400 feet (120 meters) below sea level. The upper four miles (6.4 kilometers) of this lake are in the National Recreation Area as is the Stehekin River Drainage.
Over 93% of the three National Park Service areas comprising the Complex are included in the Stephen Mather Wilderness
Park Details
Location Information
Location:
Northwest Washington State; headquarters west of the park in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
Address:
Headquarters
North Cascades NPS Complex
2105 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
Telephone:
(360) 856-5700 TDD (360) 856-5700 ext.310
Directions:
Access to the North Cascades and Ross Lake area is from I-5 at Burlington, west of the mountains, and Twisp, on the east, following WA 20 with branch routes to Baker Lake and the Cascade River.
The only road access to the shore of Ross Lake is via the Silver-Skagit Road (gravel) from near Hope, British Columbia.
Hiking access and roadside views of the northwest corner of the park are available from WA 542, east from Bellingham. (Note: All access roads that lead into the National Park itself are gravel roads.)
The main access to Stehekin, in the Lake Chelan NRA, is by float plane from the town of Chelan on Hwy. 97 or by boat from Chelan or Field's Point (17 miles north of Chelan). There is no road access into Stehekin, or any other part, of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. (Note: During summer months visitors can reach this area via hiking trails.)
Two roads, both gravel, enter North Cascades National Park: the Cascade River Road from Marblemount and the Stehekin Valley Road. Note that the latter does not connect to any roads outside the Stehekin Valley.
Transportation:
To Park: access by Interstate Highway (I-5) and various state highways; Seattle is serviced by an international airport (SeaTac). Mount Vernon has bus service and an Amtrak station. Chelan has bus service.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, bus (in Stehekin Valley only), rental boats (outboard, canoe, kayak: Ross Lake only), and commercial ferry (Lake Chelan).
Operating Hours/Seasons
The park and recreation areas are always open, but access is limited by snow in winter. Note that State Route 20 (North Cascades Scenic Highway), the major access to Ross Lake NRA, is partially closed from approximately mid-November to mid-April. Exact opening and closing dates depend on weather, snow depths, and avalanche hazards.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Fees:
No admission fees.
There are bus services in the Stehekin Valley (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) provided by the NPS and the Stehekin Adventures Company. Service along Stehekin Valley Road from Stehekin Landing to High Bridge (11 miles/18 km), ($4-$5 one-way) will be available May 23 through October 12, 1998. Road conditions permitting, NPS shuttle service will extend from High Bridge 4.5 miles (7.2 km) further up valley to Bridge Creek (Pacific Crest Trail) on June 19 and an additional 4.5 miles to Flat Creek on July 17. The fare is an additional $5 per person each way for adults and $3 for children under age 16. From Flat Creek it is an 11.8 mile (18.9 km) hike over Cascade Pass to the Cascade River Road. Changes in the channel of the Stehekin River prevent use of the road by vehicles beyond Flat Creek. The buses provide access to many trailheads along the Stehekin Valley Road. Reservations are not needed for the Stehekin Adventures bus but are highly recommended (and required May 26 - June 18) for the NPS shuttle buses due to their smaller capacity. To make a reservation, call (360) 856-5700 extension 340, then 14 after May 15.
Reservations, Permits:
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Generally, the best weather for visiting the North Cascades occurs between mid-June and late-September. Snow is usually off all but the highest trails by July. Summer storms are common in this period: always be prepared for a few days of rain and wind. If you are going into high and remote areas, take good, light rain gear and a tent. Warm, waterproof clothing and a tent are virtually mandatory for spring, fall and winter trips into the backcountry. Heavy snow and rain, depending on elevation, characterize the North Cascades from fall into spring.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center, Exhibits:
The North Cascades Visitor Center is located in Newhalem (milepost 120 on State Route 20) in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. The visitor center is open daily from mid-April to mid-November from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with extended hours from July through Labor Day. It is also open Saturday and Sunday through most of the rest of the year. Call the park (360/856-5700) for current schedule.
The Golden West Visitor Center is located at Stehekin Landing in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The center is open mid-March through mid-October, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm during the summer and shorter hours during the remainder of that period.
Trails, Roads:
The park maintains 386 miles (618 kilometers) of trails throughout the North Cascades Complex. The trails vary in degree of difficulty and access. Information on specific trails is available by calling the Wilderness Information Center at (360)873-4500 from May through September or park headquarters at (360)856-5700 the rest of the year.
A free permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. These must be obtained in person at any park information station.
The most up-do-date and complete information on trail and climbing conditions is available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount (near milepost 105 on State Route 20) or the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin. These are the best places to obtain backcountry information and permits.
Programs, Activities:
Most scheduled programs take place July through September and during winter holidays. Regularly scheduled programs during the summer range from talks and demonstrations at the visitor centers to guided hikes and evening programs in the campgrounds. Topics span a wide range of natural and cultural history. The park complex has many wayside exhibits, museum exhibits at both visitor centers, and 5 self-guiding interpretive trails. The Golden West Gallery in the visitor center at Stehekin features a new exhibit of locally and regionally produced arts and crafts related to the experience of people in the North Cascades every 3 weeks during the summer. For up-to-date information call (360)856-5700.
Lodging and Camping Facilities (in park):
No reservations are available for frontcountry (car accessible) camp sites. For information on lodging in the Park Complex please write or call (360) 856-5700 or contact the Chambers of Commerce for the towns near the Park
| West Side | Mt. Vernon | 360/428-8547 |
| Sedro-Woolley | 360/855-1841 | |
| Concrete | 360/853-8400 | |
| Marblemount | 360/873-2250 | |
| East Side | Winthrop | 509/996-2125 |
| Methow Valley Central Reservations | 509/996-2148 | |
| or In-state: | 1-800-422-3048 | |
| Chelan | 509/682-2022 1-800-4-CHELAN |
|
| Wenatchee | 509/662-2116 1-800-57-APPLE |
There is no lodging in North Cascades National Park itself. Ross Lake National Recreation Area has the concession-operated Ross Lake Resort (206/386-4437), consisting of cabins on floats moored near the lower end of Ross Lake. At Stehekin Landing is the concession-operated North Cascades Stehekin Lodge (509/682-4494). Contact the park for a list of overnight facilities operated on private property in the Stehekin Valley.
All three areas of the Park Complex have backcountry camps and roadside campgrounds, though those along the Stehekin Valley Road cannot be reached via road from outside the recreation area. The NPS shuttle bus can drop off campers at the campgrounds along the Stehekin Valley Road from mid-May through mid-October.
Food, Supplies:
Available in Concrete, Marblemount, Newhalem (limited), Chelan and Stehekin (limited) areas.
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
A number of outfitters have permits to outfit and guide horseback trips, hiking trips, technical climbs, and float trips.
The NPS and U.S. Forest Service operate an information station at 2105 State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley to the west of the park. The NPS also assists the U.S. Forest Service in staffing information stations at Glacier, Washington, on Rt. 542 and at the Chelan Ranger Station in Chelan.
Accessibility:
The North Cascades Visitor Center, Sedro-Woolley information station, and Wilderness Information Office are fully accessible. The approach to the Golden West Visitor Center is an unpaved, sloping path which can be negotiated with assistance. There is a ramp into the center itself. The NPS has a shuttle van at Stehekin equipped with a wheelchair lift. The Sterling Munro Trail at the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Happy Creek Forest Walk at milepost 135 on the North Cascades Highway are fully accessible boardwalk paths. The former leads 300 feet (99 meters) to a spectacular view across the forest canopy to the rugged Picket Range. The latter is a 1/3 mile (1/2 kilometer) loop through ancient forest.
Call the National Park office for additional accessibility information, particularly concerning getting to and around Stehekin.
Special Needs:
Visitor parking is available at each site. Please note that dogs are permitted in the front and backcountry of the national recreation areas as long as they are under physical restraint (6 foot (1.8 meters) maximum leash length).
Dogs are not permitted in the backcountry of the national park except along the Pacific Crest Trail, where leashed dogs are permitted.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Backcountry camping, hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife and bird watching, scenery viewing, boating. Facilities include hiking trails, horse rentals nearby, small boat rentals, and professional guide, climbing, packtrain services.
Visitation
Highest in August; lowest in January. Averages just under 400,000 per year.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
Take a drive on State Route 20, the North Cascades Scenic Highway, through Ross Lake National Recreation Area with stops at the North Cascades Visitor Center, Diablo Lake Overlook, and other scenic pullouts. A short walk on the Happy Creek Forest Walk (milepost 135 along WA 20) will give you a sense of the old growth forest in the North Cascades. Then travel to Stehekin via trail or boat or float plane from Chelan and stay several days. Stop at the Golden West Visitor Center for advice on walks and hikes in the Stehekin area and for backcountry permits.
Visitor Impacts:
For your safety and to preserve the wildness of the park's fauna, while camping in the North Cascades always store your food secure from animals. In the backcountry, hang food and other items with fragrance at least 10 feet (3 meters) up and 4 feet (1.2 meters) out from the nearest tree trunk.
Check stream conditions before starting trips. Be cautious crossing streams.
Crossing snowfields may require special equipment, as does crossing glaciers.
Fragile vegetation, such as heather, particularly in subalpine areas, is easily damaged by foot traffic. Practice Leave No Trace hiking and camping techniques to minimize your impact on wilderness.
Special Events Programs
Earth Day and Week are marked each year with special guided hikes, talks, potluck, etc. at the North Cascades Visitor Center and elsewhere in Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
The Golden West Gallery in the Golden West Visitor Center at Stehekin during the summer features new exhibits every 3 weeks of work by artists and craftspeople of the area. Workshops and other programs by the exhibitors demonstrate or explain their work and how the landscape of the North Cascades has inspired them.
The North Cascades Institute, a non-profit educational institution working cooperatively with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, offers adult seminars and environmental education programs for children in and around the North Cascades. For a catalog and other information, write North Cascades Institute, 2105 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284, or call (360)856-5700 ext.209
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Heather Meadows, Mt. Baker, Baker Lake, Skagit Wild and Scenic River),
In British Columbia just north of North Cascades National Park:
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex is in the middle of millions of acres of public lands, including much Congressionally-designated wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail, stretching from Mexico to Canada, passes through the area. For information about trails, campgrounds, and other facilities on federal public lands around North Cascades National Park, contact:
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Supervisor's Office
21905 64th Ave. W
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
1-800-627-0062 or TDD 1-800-272-1215
206/775-9702
Or
Mt. Baker Ranger District
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
2105 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
360/856-5700
Wenatchee National Forest
Chelan Ranger District
428 W. Woodin Ave.
Chelan, WA 98816
(509)682-2576
Okanogan National Forest
Methow Valley Ranger District
Twisp Office
P.O. Box 188
502 Glover
Twisp, WA 98856
(509)997-2131 TDD ext.9725
Methow Valley Visitor Center
P.O. Box 579
Winthrop, WA 98862
(509)996-4000
Okanogan National Forest
Supervisor's Office
1240 South Second Avenue
Okanogan, WA 98840-9723
(509)422-2014 TDD ext.3765
Additional Information
Write to:
Superintendent
North Cascades NPS Complex
2105 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
or call: (360) 856-5700 TDD (360) 856-5700 ext.310
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