North Cascades National Park Things to Do

Also in the Newhalem area - another quick little trail from a parking lot across the creek near the power plant. The grounds are neatly landscaped and lead to this pretty little waterfall. There are times that the foliage and waterfall are lit up, but they were reconstructing some of these features in 2007, so there was no light show. If you enjoy waterfalls, this is easily found and easy to get to.

This is the one trail I was able to squeeze in - it's a very easy, flat, and short (1/2 mile) trail through an old growth forest of, you guessed it, Cedars. It also passes along Newhalem creek - the start of the trail is a short bridge over the water. The most challenging thing about this trail is finding where to park. Since it was later in the day, I just parked along the road near the entrance - I'm not sure if you can park there during the day when folks are working. It's a very serene trail, and worth your few minutes, especially to marvel at the trees, which are centuries old.

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Ladder Creek Falls only drops about 100 feet (30 m) which by the comparison of the other falls in the area isn't a very large drop. It does however make up for it with its accessability and scenic setting.
The falls are surronded by a very green moss covered canyon and is located in a fairly dense forest which prevents light from coming through the trees.
The falls are also lighted in the evening or at least claim to be. The area was used to show off the beauty of the area while the dam was being introduced to the public and their acessability has remained quite easy.

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Ketchum Creek Falls descend about 200 feet (60 m) in a staggering rock hopping path. It is a very graceful waterfall but does not see much attention.
Nearby Gorge Creek Falls steals most of the attention since it is labeled on park maps and also has many road signs directing visitors to take a look.
Ketchum Creek Falls is actually the more visually appealing waterfall. It can be seen from the road and the most common picture taking location is actually from the road.

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Having been to Yoho National Park in Canada I found this peak to be the Washington State equivalent of Cathedral Mountain. In the same way, each mountain has a very steep glacially carved face and capture much more attention than the surrounding peaks.
The mountain is primarily a solid slab of granite 7720 feet (2353 m) tall and has class 5 rock near its summit. It is very easily seen as you will have to basically go around it in driving over Washington Pass. Cathedral Mountain in Canada my be taller 10,462 ft (3189 m) but this Liberty Bell Mountain is certainly the more photogenic in my opinion.

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Gorge Creek falls is very easily viewed. From the parking area for Gorge Creek viewpoint one must simply find their way across the crosswalk and down the sidewalk to the bridge.
The Canyon beneath the bridge is very deep and only a grate separates you from the long fall below. It’s one of those strange feelings to walk this bridge while looking down.
The short trail that leads to the viewpoint of Gorge Lake Dam also allows you a view of a much smaller waterfall that descends into Gorge Creek.
The falls themselves are no less than 242 feet (73 m) from top to bottom and generate quite a large amount of noise. The upper tier is difficult to see from the road since it is blocked by trees and then by a rock face. The falls are certainly worth a stop though.

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Washington Pass is the highest point you will drive by on US 20 at 5477ft (1669m) which is second highest elevation pass in the state of Washington (behind Sherman Pass at 5575ft (1699m)).
It has an overlook which is said to have wheelchair access, picnic tables and a bathroom. I found it to be covered in about 4 feet (1+m) of snow when I visited in mid May. It should be more accessible later in the year. From this location their are great close up views of Liberty Bell Mountain and the small creek that runs through the area.
The Blue Lake Trail is also close by and will take you 0.7 miles (1km) up a fairly steep hike to a high altitude lake. The pictures I’ve seen from that hike make it look really beautiful. I did not have the equipment to hike it during my trip as their was still a lot of snow on the ground.

Glacially carved mountains and valleys are the reason for the beauty of the North Cascades. The Ross lake area has many stories to tell from that era.
The water contained in the lake used to flow entirely north into the Frasier River of Canada. As the last ice age sent a glacier flowing south into the area it blocked the flow of that river and built a glacially dammed lake which eventually got deep enough to crest over a ridge and flow in a different direction toward Puget Sound.
The climate during this period was such that the tree line was at least 3,300ft (1,000m) lower than it is today and the average July temperature was about 7 degrees F (4 C) cooler than today. The water cut deeply enough into the ridge during that period that after that glacier receded the Skagit River continued to flow west rather than north.