r/northcascades

Hey yall, I am leaving for my trip soon and was curious if I should bring cash? Or does everything in the area take card? Thank you in advance for any input.

Any good trail in North Cascades National Park?

Hey there, this is a bit of a long shot, but I'm trying to reconnect with a fellow hiker I crossed paths with at the Maple Pass Loop trail.

We ran into each other at the viewpoint right before heading down toward Rainy Lake on Monday, July 13th, around 3:00 PM. You were wearing a light grey tank top, light blue jeans, and a small orange hiking backpack.

We ended up sharing a really nice moment and exchanging glances, but I missed my chance to say hi or ask for your contact info before we headed our separate ways. It’s been a while now, but that brief encounter really stuck with me and I’ve been kicking myself for not starting a conversation.

If you happen to browse this sub, are single, and remember that afternoon, please send me a DM! . Hope to hear from you!

Hi all, I just found out that Washington Pass overlook is going to be closed when we're visiting, due to repaving. The road leading to the parking lot/overlook trail will be completely closed from Aug 25-31. Is it worth it to still drive out and look from the "Washington Pass Scenic View Point" directly on SR20, or should we just skip going out this far? We only have one day in N Cascades, coming from Seattle. Any alternate viewing point to see similar? Thanks in advance!

Edited to add: looks like Rainy Pass area including road leading to/parking/picnic area for Rainy Lake & Maple Pass trails is also closed the entire time (Aug 24-31)

We were at Diablo Lake yesterday and could barely see anything due to the smoke. We're still in Washington until next Friday and are willing to make a longer drive back to see it if conditions improve. But is there any way of knowing if/when it'll be clear? I did sime Googling but only see the Webcam at the Visitor Center, and Im not sure if the AQI is a reliable predictor of viewing quality, as the AQI wasn't terrible yesterday but the viewing quality was. Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi all- spending a few days in the north cascades. We plan to do 1-2 longer hikes like maple pass and cascade/sahale arm but would like to mix in a few shorter hikes.

Are there a few that you‘d deem as can’t miss? Well be staying in Marblemount so anything close-ish to that town would be an extra bonus.

thanks!

So we're flying in from Jersey Sunday and have an airbnb (non refundable of course!) in Mazama Monday-Friday (already a lesson learned there!). If the smoke is really bad we are considering an alternative vacation plan with hikes closer to Seattle, maybe going east later in the week if it improves.

I have the apps and know things change day by day, but would value input from anyone there now about what you're seeing/experiencing out there and whether anyone is hiking and what it's like. If it's healthy enough to stay in Mazama and drive (far if necessary) to hike we'd be okay with it.

Any input welcome!

Flying into Seattle next Tuesday for a solo hiking trip and trying to make my final call between North Cascades and Olympic.
Current plan is to stay in Winthrop:

Wed 8/19: Cascade Pass → Sahale Arm
Thu 8/20: Maple Pass Loop (assuming Rainy Pass reopens)
Fri 8/21: Diablo/Ross Lake area + canoe/kayak

Weather next week looks pretty good, but obviously I'm watching the wildfire smoke. I know Winthrop can be smoky while Cascade Pass/areas west of the crest can be much clearer.
I can still cancel my Winthrop lodging and pivot to Olympic, but Sahale is the hike I've been looking forward to most, so I don't want to bail unnecessarily.

If this were your trip next week, would you stick with North Cascades or pivot to Olympic?

Some haze doesn't bother me. I'm mainly trying to avoid unhealthy air or having the mountain views completely obscured.
Thanks! Super excited either way.

Hello! I’m a 24 y/o dude embarking on a solo trip to WA starting 8/22. For my final day in the parks, I want to have a grand finale hike with the Cascades Pass Sahale Arm trail. What’s even more enticing to me is the thought of going early enough to catch the sunrise up there (and also skip the crowds). My question is how safe would you consider this? While I understand there’s always risks hiking up mountains in the dark by yourself, I guess I’m looking for some insight as far as this terrain in the dark, bears, etc. Forgive me if I sound naive this is my first ever solo trip and I’m not from the area lol. Thanks!