Rockport, Washington

Start from the Ross Lake Trailhead off Highway 20.  Hike down with your vessel 1.5 miles to the hull road.  From there you can launch your vessel.   Ross Lake is very large with many destinations to paddle to.  I went to Cougar Island and Rainbow Point then paddled up to multiple spectacular wate...

This is a short hike at just under 2 miles round-trip, with little elevation change. The trail begins at a parking area, alongside Washington Route 20. The hike takes you through the forest to an overlook of both Ross Dam and Ross Lake, before making the final descent down to the dam. The trail i...

Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascades created by Diablo Dam. The hue of the lake is created by ground up rocks from local glaciers, which end up drifting down streams into the lake. If you’ve decided to take in the viewpoints driving Hwy 20 through the park, be sure to check out Liber...

The larch meadows on the approach to Mt. Frosty are known for 2 things: 1. Wild flowers during the summer and 2. Larches during the autumn.The trail climbs up the south end of Lightning Lake; it is well groomed and graded all the way up. The steepest section is the climb out of Lightning Lakes – ...

Pack up your canoe with supplies for the day and launch from Colonial Creek Campground Area to begin your journey. As you approach the bridge to cross the lake, pull off to the parking area, there is signage for the boat launch area where you can easily carry your equipment down to the water's ed...

Ruby Mountain is one of the North Cascades more prominent peaks, sitting high above Diablo and Ross Lakes. This trip is one for more experienced hikers with a very aggressive incline from start to finish. If that does not scare you then definitely add this amazing hike to your list. While it can ...

...After spending my 3 days exploring and capturing the partial lunar eclipse at North Cascades National Park in Washington, I was eager to find another adventure that I haven't done yet or others didn't know much about. As I was driving East leaving Gorge Creek Falls, .9 miles on my left I spott...

While not a hike in of itself, this walk to Ladder Creek Falls is still very enjoyable as you bound over a large suspension bridge, wander past smaller falls and overgrown garden steps, and get an up close and personal look at the oldest operating building in Skagit County, the powerhouse. Drive ...

The Picket Range is a remote and rugged subrange of Washington's North Cascades. It draws very few visitors per year, and the odds of seeing another human on your adventure are very low. West McMillan Spire is an 8,000' peak located in the Southern Pickets. It is a Class 3 climb involving bot...

This hike begins in the middle of Manning Park, with a drive up to the trail-head. This means you get all the benefits of alpine views and fields of wildflowers in the summer months, without hiking the elevation gain.  Manning Park is on the Crowsnest Highway (BC-3). Across the highway from the ...

Direction are from Mazama, WA.  From Mazama drive west on the Lost River Road for approximately 19 miles to Hart's Pass.  Note that the pavement ends around 7 miles from Mazama and the road becomes FS RD 54. The drive up to Hart's Pass is fairly exposed in one spot and has unnerved several of my ...

To get to your campground or to Trappers Peak, hike roughly five miles along the trail to ridge, where the trail divides. If you head left you'll go down into lake basis where you can drop your gear. Come back to the divide and head right, which will lead you up to trappers peak. Something to ke...

North Cascade National Park is home to some of the most rugged and remote mountains in the lower 48 states. Because of this, the area is rarely seen up close and personal in the winter, but there are a few spots where you can see these wild mountains that will defy all imagination. In terms of lo...

Porcupine Peak (also known as Goat Peak) is a little known trail that begins beside the popular Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes trailhead. The hike is tough, going straight uphill for a significant portion, with some ups and downs right before reaching the peak.  The trailhead is a bit tricky to fin...

If you're looking for a beautiful fall hike with breathtaking views and acres of golden larches, this is it. This trail provides a good workout along with miles of photogenic scenery, including glacier views at the top, making the climb well worth the effort. Easy Pass is also (arguably) one of t...

You start the trail in a newly created parking lot (outhouses as well). Follow along the trail, and within a short distance from the parking lot you will come to a fork. Take the left trail (right goes to Flora Lake). This part of the trail is fairly flat with some nice scenery. You will follow t...