With more than 500,000 acres of alpine lakes, rich forests and rugged mountain peaks, North Cascades National Park in Washington is a nature-lover’s dream. Featuring the most expansive glacial system in the lower 48, spending 1 week in North Cascades NP is the perfect way to experience the enchantment of one of the best areas in the Pacific Northwest.
My Itinerary for Spending 1 Week in North Cascades National Park
Most of my trips are spontaneous and include a minimal amount of planning. I like having the freedom to roam as I please while being devoid of time restrictions. Although I wouldn’t classify myself as an expert mountain trekker, I am quite the adventurer; I’ll wander on trails until my legs fall off and meander off the beaten track to find hidden gems. On days between the long treks, I like to break up the trip by road tripping around or shooting photography.
I’m an extreme budget traveler. This means I prefer sleeping in the back of my SUV or my tent over spending $200 a night for lodging. I pack loads of snacks for the road, filter most of my water from streams and lakes, use my JetBoil to make instant coffee and create my own freeze-dried meals for dinner, all to save a buck.
This type of traveling and adventuring definitely isn’t for everyone but it allows me to explore more than the average person. If this sounds like you then my itinerary for spending 1 week in North Cascades NP is right up your alley.
Day 1
Short Hike to Blue Lake
We’ll start our itinerary for spending 1 week in North Cascades NP by embarking on the best short hike in the park. This trek to Blue Lake is not only short and easy and features a subalpine lake, it’s the perfect introduction for what to expect on our trip here in the North Cascades.
Read More: Blue Lake – The Best Short Hike in North Cascades NP
Drive the North Cascades Highway
The main road that cuts through North Cascades NP is Highway 20, or North Cascades Highway. Running 57 miles within the park boundary, it features some of the best views in the Pacific Northwest. Spend the majority of your day driving it beginning to end, stopping at the various pull offs and soaking in the cascading views contrasting with the vivid color of Diablo Lake.
Read More: Driving the North Cascades Highway
Wilderness Permits
Assuming you haven’t reserved a backcountry permit before your trip, we’ll have to stop by a ranger station to get a permit for the trip we’ll take tomorrow. You can snag permits for backcountry campsites the day of or day before departing. The only ranger station that supplies permits for all of North Cascades is at Marblemount on the west side of the park.
For more details on backcountry travel and permits in North Cascades, click here
Dinner & Sleep
Around this time, the day should be ending so grab some food at one of the restaurants in Marblemount. Our favorite place to eat, recommended to us by a ranger, is Mondo’s. For sleeping arrangements, you can check out one of the lodging options in Marblemount, like the Buffalo Run Inn. If you want to save on money and plan to car camp, 5 miles up the road is a Forest Route called Bacon Creek Road. Multiple pull-outs exist on this road, allowing you to sleep for free in the back of your car.
To car camp on forest routes for free or for parking at most trailheads, you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass. Purchase a day or annual pass here or at a ranger station.
Day 2 & 3
Backpacking Trip to Thornton Lake
On the beginning of day 2 we’ll embark on our first backcountry trip. 6 miles west from Bacon Creek Road, find the rough 5-mile road up to the Thornton Lake trailhead. Hike just over 5 miles to the stunning alpine lagoon, crossing the log jam over to the campsite.
After spending the first night in your tent, spend the second day embarking on one of 2 day hikes. The first option is the 1.5 mile scramble route up to Trappers Peak. The second option is hiking an unmarked trail to Upper Thornton Lake. Coming back to camp, spend one more night in your tent before hiking out the next morning.
Read More: Backpacking to Thornton Lake in North Cascades NP
Day 4
Take advantage of being out in the wilderness in the morning before hiking out the 5 miles back to your vehicle. By this time, I’m sure you’re starving for more than a backcountry meal. Either head west to Marblemount to eat at a restaurant or head east towards Newhalem to grab something from the Skagit General Store. From Newhalem, drive about 15 minutes east to the Diablo Lake overlook to enjoy sunset views over the dramatic landscape.
For sleeping arrangements, choose between car camping on Bacon Creek Road again or camping out at one of the park’s campgrounds. There are also private campgrounds in Newhalem or Marblemount.
Click here for more information about the car campgrounds in North Cascades NP
Day 5
Day Hike
On the 5th day in North Cascades, we’ll experience the best day hike in the park, the Maple Pass Trail. In an 8 mile roundtrip distance, we can experience panoramic views of the park’s most popular peaks and subalpine lakes.
Read More: Hiking the Maple Pass Loop Trail
We’ll have to drive back to the Marblemount Ranger Station at some point for backcountry permits. Take advantage of another park or private campground along the way or you can car camp on Bacon Creek Road again.
Day 6
If you haven’t made it to the Ranger Station, head to Marblemount for a backcountry permit to Green Point, the easiest backpacking trip in North Cascades. Drive 30 miles east, arriving at the Ross Dam Trailhead (directions here). Backpack the mild 2.7 miles, arriving at the Green Point campsite to spend a night on the banks of Ross Lake.
Read More: Backpacking to Green Point in North Cascades
Day 7
On our last full day in North Cascades NP, we’ll hike in to one of my favorite spots in the entire park, Lewis Lake. Following the first half of the Maple Pass Trail, we can reach this stunning alpine lake in a 4.5 mile trek.
Read More: Hiking to Lewis Lake in North Cascades NP
If you have extra time, consider hiking the extra 1.5 miles to Wing Lake. From here, you can hike 1.2 miles uphill to Black Peak. There’s an overnight backcountry campsite here to stay at, which you’ll have to acquire a permit for beforehand.
Before heading out on trails, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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