Wanderlust and Wildflowers in Washington's North Cascades

The Trip

Each morning after a hearty breakfast, we will travel in the vans to an area trailhead. Hikes will be determined on a day-to-day basis by the trip leaders in consultation with Kim and Steve Bond, local naturalist guides (and the owners of the North Cascades Backcountry Lodge). Our routes will depend on weather, trail conditions, and the capabilities of group members.

Some of the possible hikes around the North Cascades and the Methow Valley include:

Pipestone Canyon: This geological formation is a result of glacial flooding over 10,000 years ago. Today it stands apart from the otherwise rolling hillsides of the Methow Valley. It is a prime area to watch for mule deer, raptors such as golden eagles and prairie falcons, forest grouse, songbirds, and reptiles. Wildflowers in the spring and golden aspen leaves in the fall frame year-round views of the Sawtooth and Cascade Mountain ranges.  It's a great early season hike for wildflowers of the shrub-steppe.

Rendezvous Wildlife Area: Rolling front-country hills sculpted by glaciers present a rewarding hiking experience through shrub steppe habitat, aspen woodlands, riparian draws, and kettle ponds. The Rendezvous area is located just outside of Winthrop and it is a prime wildlife viewing area, as well as a spectacular wildflower array throughout the seasons. Views are expansive of the Sawtooth and Cascade mountain ranges. A figure-eight route up Lewis Butte and/or along Riser Lake allows for variable hiking abilities to enjoy the adventure. It's a good early season hike for wildflowers of the shrub-steppe.

Big Buck Wildlife Area: Rolling and rambling trails take visitors through forests and past lakes to ridgelines and front-country peaks. Stop to search for pygmy short-horned lizards and other wildlife, enjoy views of the Sawtooth Wilderness peaks, and soak in wildflower landscapes throughout the seasons.

North Cascades National Park: The East Bank Trail entails very moderate elevation gains along lowland forests with lakeside views. It is an excellent choice for a light day hike, which can be extended for advanced hikers up the Jack Mountain Trail. A stop at the Ross Lake overlook and a one-mile hike down to the Ross Lake Dam can complete the day trip.

The Jack Mountain Trail is a short, steep trail, which starts along the East Bank Trail and ascends a 4,300-foot climb to the summit of an unnamed peak on the southern ridgeline extending from Jack Mountain. This trail is known for its wonderful wildflower displays and views of the Pasayten Wilderness, Ross Lake, Ruby Mountain, and Nohokomeen Glacier. This is a good hike for the more athletic of the group.

Goat Peak Lookout: The trail alternates between timber and open alpine meadow as it ascends the north ridge of the peak. The last half-mile to the lookout is along an open ridge with 360-degree views of the rugged North Cascades peaks. The wildflower vegetation here is small and unique to the subalpine habitats. It's a good late-summer hike due to snow accumulation.

Big Valley Wildlife Area: The trail alternates between open pine timber, aspen, and cottonwood galleries, beaver pond wetlands and lush deciduous vegetation, and river cobble along the Methow River. The entire loop is six miles, but there are shorter variations. It offers amazing habitat for birding and wildlife walks.

Rattlesnake Creek or Monument Creek trails, or West Fork Methow River Trail: The trail alternates between old-growth timber and open rocky hillsides interspersed with lush riparian vegetation of Mazama. These trails all travel along creeks in the Mazama area that lead to their headwaters in the Pasayten Wilderness.

Getting There

The trip will begin at the designated pick-up area at or near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 19. It will finish at SeaTac at the departure unloading zone at roughly 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 25. Participants should plan for a departure flight no earlier than 6:30 p.m.

At the airport, participants will board vans for a four-hour ride across the North Cascades. We will head north along the I-5 corridor and east on the scenic North Cascades Highway. The route takes us along the banks of the Stillaguamish, Suiattle, and Skagit rivers, where large concentrations of bald eagles nest each year. Heading up through the Cascade foothills, we will pass the dams and reservoirs of Seattle City Light before crossing Rainy and Washington passes and coasting down the canyons to our lodge at the northernmost edge of the Methow Valley.

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We'll stay at the family-run North Cascades Basecamp Lodge (www.NorthCascadesBasecamp.com). The lodge offers pleasant beds in shared rooms, and hearty organic, locally sourced and home-cooked meals. Vegetarian dishes are available and other dietary restrictions may be able to be accommodated. The lodge has a hot tub, a comfortable living room, a scenic deck space and a well-stocked library. Audubon Certified trails leading to beaver ponds, the Methow River, and an old-growth cedar forest fan out along the Basecamp's 25 acres for exploration. Time and circumstances permitting, we will sample the wares of the Lost River Winery, a local and award-winning vintner whose wines have won widespread praise. 

Trip Difficulty

Hikes will vary in their level of strenuousness from light to moderate. Participants are expected to be in reasonably fit condition.

Equipment and Clothing

The climate on the east slope of North Cascades is likely to be sunny and warm in mid-June, but it can change quickly to windy and rainy. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon. You'll need hiking boots for the mountain trails. Bring a daypack, Vibram-soled hiking boots, trekking poles, and clothing that can accommodate a range of weather -- and do not forget your camera and field glasses. A more detailed equipment list will be available closer to the departure date.

References

• Mathew, Daniel, Cascade-Olympic Natural History. A good book for those interested in the flora and fauna of the region.
• Portman, Sally, Smiling Country. The definitive history of the area, written by a Methow Valley resident.
• Childs, Geof, Stone Palaces. A local environmental activist's perspective on life in the mountains.

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy, and participation in the goals of the Club.

The Methow Valley and the surrounding North Cascades provide an excellent backdrop for some of the conservation issues the Club has been dealing with. The re-introduction of wolves in the eastern slope has proved to be controversial, while a local group, the Methow Conservancy Council, has been successful in saving land from over-development. In the evening, we plan on having programs that will focus on these issues, as well as the natural beauty of the area.

North Cascades Basecamp Lodge owners, Steve and Kim Bondi, have lived in the Methow Valley for 13 years and are committed to the sustainability of the region. They will share their wealth of knowledge about the natural history, as well as flora and fauna of the area. Both are wildlife biologists/ecologists by training and vocation. At least one of them or another wildlife biologist will accompany us on all our hikes during our stay.