Lodge Adventure in America's Alps, North Cascades, Washington

The Trip

The rugged mountains of Washington's North Cascades boast jagged peaks, glaciers, ice fields, high-altitude lakes, alpine meadows, and clear rushing streams. On the western side of the range, you'll find the deep waters of Diablo and Ross Lakes, while the east side features ponderosa pine-rimmed valleys, vineyards, orchards, and the broad swath of the Columbia River. The region is home to the North Cascades National Park, Okanogan National Forest, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and several designated wilderness areas.

We plan a variety of hikes, following a ridge route for panoramic views of glaciated peaks and reaching high alpine meadows and snowfields. We’ll also paddle a canoe across Diablo Lake. To augment our daytime experiences, evenings include presentations arranged by the North Cascades Institute staff. In the past, these have included talks about bear biology, Native American art and archaeology, fires and fire management, and flora and fauna of the Northwest. 

Getting There

We will be staying at the North Cascades Institute (NCI) Environmental Learning Center. The route from Seattle will take you along the banks of the Skagit River, where large concentrations of bald eagles nest each year. As you climb through the Cascade foothills, you'll pass the dams and reservoirs of Seattle City Light as you make your way to lodge on the shores of Diablo Lake. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from NCI. The trip will start at about 3pm on Wednesday, August 21, at NCI. Participants may choose to arrange carpools with each other for transportation. We will plan to carpool to and from hiking trailheads.

For driving to NCI, the Center is located off State Route 20 at the Diablo Dam just east of Newhalem, WA, and is about 140 miles (three hours) northeast of Seattle.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. 

Accommodations and Food

The facility at NCI offers pleasant dormitory-style rooms, with single beds and nearby bathrooms/showers. Generally, there will be two people in a room. Hearty breakfasts and tasty dinners are served in a dining room overlooking Diablo Lake; sack lunch "fixings" are provided to participants. Vegetarian options are always available and special food requests can be accommodated. NCI offers comfortable living rooms, classrooms/laboratories, and a well-stocked library. Trails lead directly to the lakefront, old-growth forest, and nearby waterfalls.

Trip Difficulty

This is a lodge-based trip, and there will be a designated group hike on each of the hiking days. These hikes are considered moderately strenuous and will range from about 4-7 miles round trip, with elevation gains of about 500 to 2,000 feet. Being in excellent physical condition and having recent hiking experience doing comparable hikes will be essential to being able to complete, and fully enjoy the hikes. The rewards are outstanding views of the glaciated mountain range, pristine alpine lakes, and stately, undisturbed forested valleys.

Equipment and Clothing

The climate in the North Cascades is likely to be sunny and warm in late July and early August, but it can change quickly to windy and rainy. Additionally, the west slopes may be cool and cloudy while the east side is clear and hot.

You'll need good broken-in hiking boots for the mountain trails and potential snow fields. There will be opportunities to cool off in the lakes or streams, so a swimsuit will be nice if you are so inclined.

Bring a day pack and clothing that can accommodate a range of weather, and don't forget your camera and field glasses. A detailed equipment list will be available closer to the departure date.

References

• Dietrich, William, The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby.
• Whitney, Steven, A Field Guide to the Cascades and Olympics.
• Danner, Lauren, Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park.
• North Cascades Institue NCI): www.ncascades.org
• North Cascades National Park: www.nps.gov/noca 

Conservation

North Cascades National Park was established in 1968, with the Sierra Club playing a major role. But at that time some critical portions were left out of the original park. Areas around Liberty Bell, Rainy Pass, Snowy Lakes, Cutthroat Pass, and the Cascade River were excluded as were some lowland wildlife habitats.

Predator repopulation: The North Cascades currently includes remnants of once much larger populations of grizzly bear, wolf, wolverine, and lynx. These animals are essential for the proper functioning of the natural wildlife ecosystem. The promotion of their recovery is an ongoing issue. We will likely talk about the ongoing North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Project.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.