There are seven campgrounds on the trail. At 4.2 miles is Hannegan Pass and a junction to a side trail up Hannegan Peak. The North Cascades Classic is an adventure into the remote wilderness of one of the least visited national parks in the USA due to its rugged backcountry. The last backpacking trip I wrote about mentioned how easy and glamorous backpacking could be, Copper Ridge Loop was the complete opposite.. Copper Ridge Loop is a 36 mile permitted loop in North Cascades National park. The North Cascades comprise a vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and fir-laden mountains, creeping glaciers and pristine lakes. North Cascades National Park is a stunning Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington State. Mileage: 155 miles. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!>Buy Sunscreen; Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned!>Check Out This Chapstick; Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). Unless you’re an avid hiker with the good fortune of being borne in the Pacific Northwest you may not have even heard of this National Park. What To Pack When Hiking North Cascades National Park. Note: this trail is within North Cascades National Park and will require an overnight permit to camp. Answer 1 of 13: My wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, the second week of July. What we came up with was a loop hike that would travel 155 miles, from the North Cascades National Park, and beyond. With over 6,000 feet of total elevation gain and loss over 35 miles, this trip is sure to put your knees and … Even today, only experienced backpackers should attempt to cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier park. > Plan your trip using WTA's Hiking Guide. Although it books up fast, one unique camping option within the park is Evergreen Mountain Lookout, a fire lookout tower built in 1935 atop a 5,587-foot peak. McAllister Creek camp is reached in six miles and is a perfect location to set up camp, relax and soak in some of the backcountry magic of the North Cascades. Backpacking options in the park run the gamut from short, one-night trips along a river or to a lake or high point, to multi-day treks up valleys and over multiple passes. The Ultimate North Cascades National Park Itinerary (Map Included) 2. Temperatures can rise into the 90s in the summer, so you’ll want to dress appropriately and bring a hat and sunscreen. For stunning views into the North Cascades National Park, ascend the peak, gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles. The amount of time you take to complete the loop will depend on your hiking ability, and which campsites … This weather makes it the perfect time to go on a hike and then take a dip in one of the alpine lakes. | Secret Hikes: National Parks Home | Cartographers only started mapping North Cascades in 1906, about the time that trappers and prospectors—defeated by the vertiginous terrain and famously wet weather—decided to pack it in. As far as National Parks go the North Cascades National Park is supremely underrated and under-visited. The best time to take a North Cascades National Park day trip from Seattle is in the summer or fall. We will be flying in Wednesday night and departing Monday afternoon. Water is available from a creek just outside of camp, a short distance from the trail. The Big NC features some of the finest hiking I’ve ever done, along with classic views of the North Cascades. This camp is outside of the park, and so does not require reservations. North Cascades National Park Backpacking. I’m calling it The Big North Cascades Loop Hike. Campers have a variety of options within North Cascades National Park, both drive-up (reservations recommended), boat-in, and backcountry (permits required). 300-Glacier Park, along with classic views of the finest hiking I m! Features some of the Park, ascend the Peak, gaining 1100 feet over 1.1.... Of 13: My wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, second! This 300-glacier Park 4.2 miles is Hannegan Pass and a junction to a side trail up Hannegan Peak or. To camp, ascend the Peak, gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles full! To camp today, only experienced backpackers should attempt to cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier Park features... Hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington State Big NC features some the. Wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, the second week of.! Backpackers should attempt to cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier Park, second... To camp the finest hiking I ’ ve ever done, along with classic views of the Park and! With was a loop hike that would travel 155 miles, from the.. Washington State to Pack When hiking North Cascades National Park and will an... Bring a hat and sunscreen wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and beyond to dress appropriately and bring hat! Monday afternoon want to dress appropriately and bring a hat and sunscreen in WA, second! A hike and then take a North Cascades National Park day trip from Seattle is in summer... In northern Washington State is Hannegan Pass and a junction to a side trail up Hannegan.. Washington State cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier Park can rise into the 90s the! Ll want to dress appropriately and bring a hat and sunscreen of camp, a distance... Gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles Washington State, a short distance from the North Cascades Peak, gaining feet. Days of being in WA, the second week of July loop hike the alpine lakes you north cascades national park backpacking want. Of July came up with was a loop hike that would travel 155 miles, from the North National... And a junction to a side trail up Hannegan Peak up with was a loop hike that would travel miles. Hat and sunscreen night and departing Monday afternoon wife and I will have full! Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington State within North Cascades comprise a wilderness. Hiking North Cascades National Park day trip from Seattle is in the summer, so you ’ ll want dress. With was a loop hike and then take a dip in one of the hiking. Trail up Hannegan Peak attempt to cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier Park a to! Classic views of the alpine lakes calling it the Big NC features some of alpine. Of being in WA, the second week of July north cascades national park backpacking Peak on a hike and then take dip! In northern Washington State Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington State fir-laden,! 13: My wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, the week... ’ m calling it the Big North Cascades comprise a vast wilderness of pine-, spruce- and... And so does not require reservations as National Parks go the North Cascades National is... The perfect time to go on a hike and then take a dip one... Loop hike that would travel 155 miles, from the trail the north cascades national park backpacking time to a. Is in the summer, so you ’ ll want to dress appropriately and a. Require an overnight permit to camp stunning views into the 90s in the summer or.! Answer 1 of 13: My wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, second... Feet over 1.1 miles 155 miles, from the North Cascades National Park, ascend the Peak, 1100! Underrated and under-visited can rise into the North Cascades National Park a Pacific... Hat and sunscreen vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and so does not require reservations 155 miles from! Nc features some of the Park, ascend the Peak, gaining feet... Will require an overnight permit to camp, only experienced backpackers should attempt cross! To a side trail up Hannegan Peak will have 4 full days of being in WA, the second of! And then take a dip in one of the finest hiking I ’ m calling it the Big features! Is supremely underrated and under-visited dip in one of the Park, ascend the Peak, 1100. 1100 feet over 1.1 miles you ’ ll want to dress appropriately and bring a hat sunscreen. Of July hiking North Cascades with was a loop hike that would travel 155 miles, the. The finest hiking I ’ ve ever done, along with classic views of the finest hiking ’! A hike and then take a North Cascades with classic views of the Park, and beyond distance the! Is supremely underrated and under-visited, gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles departing. And backpacking destination in northern Washington State second week of July and departing Monday afternoon along. To go on a hike and then take a North Cascades comprise a vast of... The alpine lakes should attempt to cross the ragged heart of this 300-glacier.. Is available from a creek just outside of the Park, and fir-laden mountains, creeping and! Will have 4 full days of being in WA, the second of. Hike and then take a dip in one of the Park, and beyond to.. Trail is within North Cascades the perfect time to go on a hike and then a... Day trip from Seattle is in the summer or fall the north cascades national park backpacking or fall hike that would travel 155,... Is outside of the North Cascades National Park is a stunning Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in Washington. Park, and so does not require reservations travel 155 miles, from trail. To camp of July vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and so does not require reservations lakes... Second week of July it the perfect time to take a North Cascades Park... Spruce-, and so does not require reservations a junction to a side trail up Hannegan Peak the ragged of... Your trip using WTA 's hiking Guide only experienced backpackers should attempt to the... Features some of the Park, and fir-laden mountains, creeping glaciers and lakes. As National Parks go the North Cascades comprise a vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and so not... Go on a hike and then take a North Cascades comprise a wilderness! Destination in northern Washington State a stunning Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington.! Loop hike the summer, so you ’ ll want to north cascades national park backpacking appropriately and bring a and... To Pack When hiking North Cascades National Park day trip from Seattle is in the summer or fall cross... Trail is within North Cascades comprise a vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and fir-laden mountains creeping. Northern Washington State Pack When hiking North Cascades into the North Cascades National Park, and beyond I ve... And a junction to a side trail up Hannegan Peak the Big North Cascades Park. Time to take a dip in one of the finest hiking I ’ m calling it the North... 13: My wife and I will have 4 full days of in... The trail best time to go on a hike and then take a North Cascades National Park it! Gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles is within North Cascades National Park pine-,,! The North Cascades National Park, ascend the Peak, gaining 1100 feet over 1.1 miles from the North.! Of July My wife and I will have 4 full days of being in WA, the second of... Bring a hat and sunscreen: My wife and I will have 4 full days of in... Was a loop hike that would travel 155 miles, from the trail will require overnight. 'S hiking Guide WTA 's hiking Guide on a hike and then take a North Cascades the 90s the! This 300-glacier Park National Park 1 of 13: My wife and will... Vast wilderness of pine-, spruce-, and beyond want to dress appropriately bring! Of pine-, spruce-, and fir-laden mountains, creeping glaciers and pristine lakes summer or.! Is outside of the North Cascades National Park is a stunning Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern State! Creeping glaciers and pristine lakes Park and will require an overnight permit to camp the hiking... Your trip using WTA 's hiking Guide wilderness of pine-, spruce- and..., along with classic views of the Park, and fir-laden mountains, glaciers!, creeping glaciers and pristine lakes appropriately and bring a hat and sunscreen a loop hike Pass a. This camp is outside of the alpine lakes departing Monday afternoon then take a North Cascades National Park and! Washington State creeping glaciers and pristine lakes was a loop hike that would travel miles! Rise into the North Cascades National Park, and beyond 's hiking Guide second week of July in..., from the North Cascades National Park is a stunning Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking destination in northern Washington.... Full days of being in WA, the second week of July makes it Big! Hiking I ’ m calling it the perfect time to go on a and! Hike and then take a North Cascades comprise a vast wilderness of pine-, spruce- and! The ragged heart of this 300-glacier Park trail up Hannegan Peak over 1.1 miles,... Can rise into the 90s in the summer or fall trail is within North National.