January 18, 2025
After spending two days in Olympic National Park last July, we returned through Tacoma, headed north through Seattle, and continued sailing northeast. Just 32 miles from the Canadian border, we entered North Cascades National Park, the only of Washington’s three national parks that I had never visited. North Cascades is far less accessible by roads and trails than the other two parks, making it feel more remote. The North Cascades is the second least-visited national park in the Lower 48 (after Isle Royale, Michigan’s northernmost point) and is rarely crowded, even in the summer. However, since it is mostly backcountry, visitors, like us, flock to the more accessible lookouts and trails.
lake diablo
We spent two days exploring the park and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest via stops along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (Highway 20).
One afternoon, we took a boat tour of the glacier-fed Diablo Lake. Its milky turquoise color is caused by “glacial dust.” Glaciers slowly retreat, chewing away at mountain rock, creating fine silt that is carried by snowmelt into lakes. The silt hangs in the water and refracts light, creating this unique shade of light blue on a sunny summer day.
The bright blue color looks unrealistic, like the eggs of a robin nesting in a mountain lined with fir trees.
There are 300 glaciers in the North Cascades, but they are melting rapidly. According to the Park Service, “Geological mapping data, old maps, aerial photographs, and recent inventories indicate that glacier area has declined approximately 53 percent in the past century in North Cascades National Park.”
Our two-hour afternoon cruise with the North Cascades Institute was pleasant on this warm July day. The cool mountain breeze fluttered the boat’s flag and I thought about putting on a jacket.
We sat outside in the back of the boat and watched the tour unfold in reverse.
Diablo Lake is a dammed reservoir that is part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project managed by Seattle City Light.
Diablo Dam was completed in 1930 during the Great Depression and helps keep the lights on in Seattle to this day.
As a side note, the National Park Service announced plans last year to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades. Please read the external article linked here to learn how this will impact the park for the benefit of the natural ecosystem.
rain lake
The next day we took an easy trail to Rainy Lake, a picturesque glacial cirque carved by receding ice. A waterfall of snowmelt water cascades down the steep ridge on the right.
The Pacific Crest Trail (remember the book and movie Wild?) passes by Rainy Lake. Think about how cold this lake would be. And notice the people swimming in the bottom right. At least it was a hot day.
washington pass
Washington Pass on the North Cascades Scenic Highway takes you through 5,477-foot mountains. Wind-twisted trees cling to rocks like candy canes.
The road is far below (lower left).
The views of the serrated mountains of the North Cascades are spectacular.
Next up is wildflower hunting at Mount Rainier National Park. Click here for a look back at Olympic National Park, Cape Flattery, and La Push Beach.
We look forward to your comments. If you want to keep one, scroll to the end of this post. If you’re reading the email, click here to go to Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. By the way, someone forwarded this email to you and would you like to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered straight to your inbox.
__________________________
dig deeper
Learn about gardening and design with GardenSpark! Several times a year, I host in-person lectures in Austin by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners. These are attendee-only events that sell out quickly, so join Garden Spark’s email list to be notified in advance. Just click this link and request to be added. Check out the Season 8 lineup here.
All materials © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. All rights reserved.
