Today I wish I was hiking or on a backpacking adventure in North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park is located in Washington State, about 2 hours 30 minutes driving from central Seattle. North Cascades is just over 500,000 acres of reserved land, doubling the size of Mount Rainier National Park. The park is separated into two main regions: The Northern district and the Southern district. The Northern district goes up all the way to the Canadian border. North Cascades National park is apart of the Cascades Mountain region and is the largest park in the area. There are over 500 lakes / ponds and over 300 glaciers, which is the most in the entire United States mainland 48 states. This park consists of many extreme peaks that top off at over 8,000 Ft. Out of the entire Cascade mountain region, North Cascade has the steepest mountains. There are over 400 miles of hiking trails throughout this park as this was one of the main traveling routes for Native Americans and for Western Settlers back in the day. Last night I was stuck working until 8pm, followed by a 2 hour commute home.. when I began my day at 6am… only being paid for 8 hours… I am definitely counting the days before I begin traveling the world..
Climate: The climate in this region is diversified due to the shier size and geography of the park… Therefor I am just going to cover the general specs.. please check your local weather before heading into the park AND YES YOU MUST CHECK THE WEATHER! The climate in the Seattle area is pretty consistent year round. Due to its unique geographical location with the weather streams, extreme heat waves are rare as well as very cold temperatures. During winter months, temperature averages from 36-45 degrees Fahrenheit, and during the summer month’s temperatures average from 56-76 degrees. However, this weather can completely change once you head inside the National Park. Once you begin gaining elevation in the National Park, temperatures begin to change. The average during the summer months is in the range of 42-63 degrees Fahrenheit (6-17 Celsius) but can reach into the 90’s(F) at some points. The average during the winter months ranges from around 20-34 degrees Fahrenheit (-5-1.5 Celsius) and can hit extreme lows into the teens (-15F for example).
When to Visit: Low elevation trails are most visited between April and October, with the driest weather from mid-June to September. Visitation to the highcountry (above 5,000 feet/ 1524 m) is greatest after the snows melt, generally from July through early October. The best snow mountaineering conditions are often June and July. The park is open year round, but heavy winter precipitation limits road access and increases backcountry hazards between November and March. 
Wildlife: Wilderness of the North Cascades hosts wildlife less common in the more populated areas of Washington State. 75 mammal species in 21 families can be found in the North Cascades. Three species (gray wolf, grizzly bear, and Canada lynx) are listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. Other species include black bear, wolverine, river otter, cougar, lynx, and bobcat, mule deer, marmots, pikas, and occasionally elk, moose and mountain goats. There are over 500 species of birds for bird watching fanatics. Some popular birds that can be found here are bald eagle, osprey, Harlequin duck, golden eagles, and more. In addition, 21 species of reptiles reside here, at least 28 species of fish, and over 500 types of land insects, including butterflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and mayflies (the most of any National Park).
What to do here: North Cascades National Park is an extremely popular destination for backpackers. With over 400 Miles of hiking trails, one can easily get lost in the beauty and challenges that this park has to offer. There are hundreds of trails for people who want to come for either a day hike and head out, or for individuals who just want to spend a few days visiting the park and want to hit different day trails in different sections of the park. The majority of the day hiking trails are located off of the Northern Cascades Scenic Highway, where there are easy access trail starts. Also check out Cascade River Road, Baker Lake Road and Mount Baker Highway areas, which also have many great day hikes. One of the more famous trails is the Hidden Lake Trail which offers more scenic views per trail compared to all other trails within the park. If you’re looking into backpacking, check out the Stehekin region. Stehekin is translated into “The way through” by local Native Americans. This is the region and trail set that settlers and Native Americans used to travel by and would be pretty neat to experience some history while backpacking. This region is also where McGregor Mountain (and trail) are located. This is the most popular Mountain trail in the park and is over 15miles round trip with an elevation gain of 6,400 Ft (1920M).
My recommendation: If I was in the area for a short period of time, and was planning on visiting all 3 local National Parks, I would utilize this park as a backpacking opportunity. I would hike through the Stehikin region for approximately 3-4 days while setting up my own campsite or staying in my van. If you are coming with family and backpacking is not something you are interested in, I would recommend visiting this park for at least 4 days due to its shier size. 2 days in the Northern region and 2 days in the Southern Region. Although the Southern region is more popular, I always find that the less explored sections of the park have the most to offer. Take advantage of the day hiking trails and remember to camp out under the stars and enjoy some beer and campfire activities (your kids will thank you when they’re older). Personally when I am in this area, if I am living in Seattle for a year as I am thinking of doing, I am going to take multiple 3 day weekends to attempt some of the backpacking opportunities as well as some of the day hikes. If I am passing through this park with my van, I am planning on spending 1 full week in the Southern region, and one full week in the Northern region while backpacking for 4 days in each and spending the other 3 doing day hikes.
If anyone has ever been to Seattle or lives(d) in Seattle, please leave any tips or information!
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