Photo by: Jacob Lips
The North Cascades National Park is 504,654 acres of beautiful landscapes, rich history and vibrant biodiversity in Washington state. It is the largest of the three areas in the North Cascades National Park Complex.
There are so many things to see at this park with its rugged mountain peaks, extensive glacial system, and vast forests. The park got its name because of the cascading waters in the park, fed by over 300 glaciers.
History
The Paleo-Indian Native Americans were the first settlers in this region. The Skagit tribes inhabited it when the European American explorers arrived. By the 19th century, the area was an active venue for different economic trades: from fur to mining and logging.
During the 1920s, dams were built in the Skagit River Valley to generate hydroelectric power. This prompted environmentalists to lobby for the preservation of the wilderness in the region. The law that created the North Cascades National Park was passed on Oct. 12, 1968.
Photo by: Jacob Lips
Things to do
The creation of the North Cascades National Park was among the most debated during its time. Environmentalists had to fight hard for the protection of nature, while corporations wanted to move forward with developments within the area. In the end, the environmentalists triumphed.
So now, around 30,000 tourists are enjoying the park annually. Here are some of the activities tourists can indulge in at the park.
Boating on Ross Lake
The view from Ross Lake is just magnificent. There are green forests at the foothills of the mountains. The lake’s water is so clear that one can see the reflection of the mountains on it. It is such a great vista for photographers and artists from across the globe.
Canoeing & fishing at Skagit River
In 1978, this was designated as a Wild and Scenic River, which is why it is perfect for canoeing. There is nothing like paddling through the river while looking at majestic imagery, from both sides. The Skagit River is also one of the richest freshwater habitats in America. It is one of the major watersheds in Washington. It is home to cutthroat trout, five species of salmon and steelhead.
Exploring Stehekin
Stehekin is a small community in Chelan County. It serves as the link between Washington’s wilderness and the rugged Cascade Mountains. There are 75 residents of this community, although, the population increases with vacationers and seasonal workers. The area provides a great view of Lake Chelan, which is the third deepest lake in the U.S., and its surrounding landforms.
Going to Stehekin is a historical and cultural journey. It is a great way to explore the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, as well as the Stephen Mather Wilderness and National Forest Wilderness.
Hiking and climbing
There are close to 400 miles of hiking trails available at the park—these range from the easy to strenuous treks. Some paths are historic, those that have been used by the Native Americans who hunted for food. Paths have varied but beautiful scenery.
The more adventurous crew will endure the rugged climbing terrain. The climb may be a stretch physically and mentally, but the reward in the form of nature’s beauty, as well as the sense of fulfillment, is incomparable. The climb is even more challenging during winter—for obvious reasons.
There are also sport climbing and bouldering activities at the Skagit Gorge.
Camping
There are several campgrounds in the park. There are 19 boat-in camps along the Ross Lake shores. Other boat-in camping sites are Diablo Lake and Lake Chelan. But the main campground in the park is the Goodell Creek Campground. The lower campgrounds are Newhalem Creek, Gorge Lake, Colonial Creek, and Hozomeen.
There is also a wilderness camping available, but one has to get a permit for that. There are also two bicycle campground sites.
Wildlife watching
As a wilderness site, the park is rich in wildlife. Of course, these are wild animals who shouldn't be disturbed. Tourists are advised to stay at least 100 yards away. Having said that, the park is home to bears, elk, deer, moose, mountain goats, and wolves.
Flora
The park has about 236,000 acres of old-growth forests—that is almost half the entire area. And these forests are home to one of the most diverse wildernesses in the world. It has over 1,630 species of vascular plants—with non-vascular plants and fungi added to the mix, the number of plant species in the park is said to be more than 3,000.
Among those native to the park is the whitebark pine, which is home to birds like Clark’s nutcracker, as well as squirrels.
Photo by: Jacob Lips