Why to Visit North Cascades National Park's Beautiful Mountains and Lakes During the Summer

 Why to Visit North Cascades National Park's Beautiful Mountains and Lakes During the Summer

North Cascades National Park

       North Cascades National Park, located in northern Washington, is a relatively smaller national park home to a massive mountain range and multiple lakes.  With it being so north, winters hit hard.  Snow fall can get heavy and trails can get blocked.  With this being said, it is important to pick a good season to go visit because trust me, you will want to visit this amazing national park!  With 500,000 acres of land and less than 20,000 annual visitors, this national park is really a little golden nugget of America.  

Why to Visit During the Summer

Weather

North Cascades During the Winter

    As previously mentioned, North Cascades National Park is located on the very northern part of the U.S. making the winters there very harsh.  So harsh that often many visitor centers and trails in the national park are closed for the winter season.  Temperatures during the winter often dip down into the single-digits and can frequently reach the negatives during the evening.  Because of this, it is advised to visit during the summer months of May, June, July and August when daytime temperatures have risen into the high 60s.  In addition, less snow on the ground means more open trails, running water, and wildlife to explore and see.

Hiking

Maple Pass Loop Trail

    Hiking in North Cascades National Park is a must, especially if you are willing to drive up all the way to the northern part of Washington.  There are hundreds of available trails ranging from beginner level to expert.  Easier trails that I recommend are the Maple Pass Loop Trail and the Gorge Creek Falls Loop which are both under a mile round trip.  For something a little more difficult, look to the Diablo Lake Trail of almost 8 miles round trip.  For something more geared towards experienced hikers, some may venture towards the Pacific Crest Trail for a 3 month long adventure through Washington with over 2,000 miles of trail.

    All in all, North Cascades National Park is home to some beautiful scenery and is well worth the trecherous drive up.  If you chose to go during the summer, expect to enjoy hundreds of open trails, few visitors, warm weather and amazing views.

Further Resources:

Best Hikes in North Cascades

Important Camping Info