The Ultimate 2-Day North Cascades Hikes Itinerary

Located just a few hours northeast of Seattle, North Cascades National Park is a diamond in the rough. With its rugged mountains, dense old growth forests, and crystal-clear lakes, this park is the perfect location for outdoor enthusiasts. The North Cascades hikes in this 2-day itinerary are among some of the most gorgeous hikes I have ever completed.

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Fun Facts about North Cascades National Park

This park is one of the least visited national parks in America.
North Cascades has over 300 glaciers, more than any other American national park.
The highest point in the park is Goode Mountain at over 9,200 feet.
North Cascades National Park is nicknamed the American Alps because the mountain peaks are snow covered.
Ross Dam, Diablo Dam, and Gorge Dam in the hydroelectric project provide 20% of Seattle’s electricity.

How to Get Around

The two closest major airports to North Cascades National Park are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia, Canada. The drive from each airport to the east North Cascades entrance will take approximately 2 hours 15 minutes with no traffic.

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

Where to Stay

When researching places to stay close to the park, I had a lot of trouble. If you are camping, there are several campsites within the park boundaries for you to stay at. Reservations for campsites within the park can be found here. Lodging within the park is hard to come by with only two options: North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin and Ross Lake Resort. Both of which are very difficult to get reservations at.

In my opinion, the best option is to stay outside the park in the cute Western-themed town of Winthrop. With several lodging options and so many things to do, Winthrop is a great choice. I opted to stay at the Abby Creek Inn, which is located on the Methow River and within walking distance to the Methow Valley Thriftway grocery store. The only drawback to Winthrop is the drive into and out of the park every day is lengthy. However, the drive is beautiful and goes by quicker than you think it will.

What to Eat

Around the Lake Diablo area, there is no food services available. The closest restaurants to the Lake Diablo area are in Marblemount and is approximately a 35-minute drive. I highly recommend while inside the park, you bring in food such as sandwiches and snacks. Otherwise, you will have a long drive every time you want to have lunch. Likewise, I highly recommend bringing enough water to last you all day.

If you choose to stay in the Winthrop area, you will have plenty of food options for breakfast before you make your way into the park and for dinner after you have left the park. Some of my favorite eateries were Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon and Rocking Horse Bakery for breakfast and Carlos 1800 Mexican Grill and Cantina and East 20 Pizza for dinner.

When to Visit

North Cascades is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, State Route 20, which runs through the heart of the North Cascades hikes is closed most of the year due to snowfall and threats of avalanches. The highway generally opens by early May and closes sometime in November. You will need to check the Washington State Department of Transportation for current conditions of SR-20.

Even though SR-20 opens in early May, many of the North Cascades hikes are not doable until July. Even the first of July is often too early in the summer season for many North Cascades hikes. It is best to plan your trip between mid-July and mid-September.

What to Pack

Listed below are things I highly recommend you pack while you are visiting North Cascades National Park.

Bug spray – I usually list water as the first thing to pack. But if you want to keep your sanity, bug spray is an absolute must-have essential!
Water – Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors.
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply. Many of these North Cascades hikes are completely exposed to the sun.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Microfiber Beach Towel – I packed my microfiber beach towel to take for water activities in Lake Diablo.
Water Shoes – The beaches and lake bottoms are rocks, not sand. Protect your feet with water shoes.
Swimsuits – For pool or lake time, you will need a swimsuit. Men’s Women’s
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your North Cascades hikes.
Rain jacket – You never know when a storm will pass through so be ready with some men’s or women’s raingear.
Printed Maps/Directions – Cell service is non-existing inside the park, so I recommend you print maps/directions to all North Cascades hikes you plan to visit.

What is the Entrance Fee?

There is none. North Cascades National Park is one of the few national parks that do not require an entrance fee. However, some of the hikes do require a day fee of $5. You do not have to pay this day fee if you have the America the Beautiful U.S. Park Pass. Just make sure to display the pass on your dash or hang from your rearview mirror.

DAY 1 – NORTH CASCADES HIKES

Start your day in Newhalen at the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center. Here you can talk with park rangers about hiking conditions or any other questions you may have. You can also grab a map to use during your 2-day North Cascades hikes itinerary. While in Newhalen, this will be your last chance to use cell service and to use a real bathroom with flushable toilets, so make the most of it.

Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk

Start your day off with an easy 1.7-mile walk through old growth cedar trees. This trail starts in the town of Newhalen at the riverfront. Park your car in the Newhalen visitor parking or along Main Street, and walk towards to the Skagit River. The highlight of this trail is the beginning with a suspension bridge that crosses the beautiful Skagit River. This hike is stroller friendly.

Gorge Creek Falls

This is another very short, very easy hike to get your day started. The highlight of this stop is the Gorge Creek Falls which can be seen while walking across the grated bridge. If you are afraid of heights, do not look down!

Thunder Knob Trail

Thunder Knob Trail is a moderately difficult, 3.3-mile hike to the top of Thunder Knob with great views of Diablo Lake and Diablo Dam. When you get to the trail end, you can see the Diablo Lake Overlook across the lake. The walk to Thunder Knob is mostly uphill and will get your heart pounding. There are plenty of benches along the way where you can rest if the incline gets too tough. I recommend bringing your picnic lunch with you and enjoy a meal and a great view at the same time!

The Thunder knob trailhead starts in the Colonial Creek Campground. There is a small parking lot just outside the campground which will likely be full by the time you arrive. No worries, just park along the highway off the road.

Diablo Lake Overlook

On your way to the next of your North Cascades hikes, make a pit stop at the Diablo Lake Overlook. This is a great spot to get pictures of the lake. Honestly, in my 2 days here, I stopped at this overlook every time I drove by. It is that stunning!

Ross Dam Trail

The parking area at the Ross Dam Trail is also small and overflow parking is along the highway off the road. The hike to Ross Dam is 1.4 miles long and mostly downhill to the dam. The hike back to the parking area is a little difficult with steep switchbacks. If you are not feeling up to this hike, you can stop at the Ross Dam Overlook pullout along Highway 20.

Washington Pass Overlook

The last stop today is the Washington Pass Overlook. This short 0.2-mile loop will take you to an overlook where you can see Washington Pass 2,000 feet above Highway 20 below. The walk to the first overlook is an easy paved route that is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

After you are done taking in the sights at Washington Pass, drive back to Winthrop and spend the evening shopping around town and grabbing dinner. For an after-dinner treat, get some ice cream at Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe.

DAY 2 – NORTH CASCADES HIKES

Your second day of North Cascades hikes will be more strenuous than the first day. But after a tough but rewarding day of hiking, you will be able to relax on a beach on Lake Diablo.

Maple Pass

There are several longer North Cascades hikes you can choose from for today such as Cascade Pass Trail or Fourth of July Pass. But I chose the epic Maple Pass Trail, which is a moderately difficult 6.6-mile loop with a 2,145-foot elevation gain. This is the best, most beautiful hike I have ever done. Most people do this loop counterclockwise because the incline is less steep than the clockwise direction. Also. the views are better in the counterclockwise direction.

Lake Ann on Maple Pass North Cascades hikes

Going in the counterclockwise direction, the hike starts out with switchbacks through old growth forests. About 1 mile into the hike, the trees open to a mountain meadow. Shortly after you pass the meadow, you walk a short jaunt through the forests again along a rushing creek. As you ascend, you enter an alpine wonderland. Look down and to the left for spectacular views of Lake Ann.

As you continue the ascent to Maple Pass, you will walk by Heather Pass and continue to circle Lake Ann for magnificent 360-degree views of the Cascade Mountain Range. After you reach the highest elevation of this trek at Maple Pass, you will begin a steep decline of switchbacks with views of Rainy Lake below.

Heads up! There are several down trees on the trail. Some are easy to get over, and some are more difficult.

Rainy Lake

Once you get back to ground level, the Maple Pass trail meets up with the Rainy Lake trail. If you are too tired to walk anymore, turn left to head back to the parking lot. However, you should turn right for an easy stroll to Rainy Lake. If you brought a packed lunch, you could enjoy that on the wooden platform at the trail’s end while taking in the views of Rainy Lake and the waterfalls that fill it.

Lake Diablo Beach

After 8.5 miles of hiking today, you will be exhausted! Cool off and rest at a beach on Lake Diablo. The beach I found is at the Thunder Knob parking area. You will see many people sunbathing, kayaking, and paddle boarding in this area, so it will be an easy place to spot.

After 2-3 hours of soaking up the sun by the glittering Lake Diablo, head back to Winthrop for dinner. Or you could drive back to Seattle or your next destination at this point.