On the first day at North Cascades National Park, we crossed two swinging bridges to a waterfall and walked among towering red cedars.
The national park is about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Seattle, Washington, where we had been visiting.
We stayed our first night at North Cascades Inn in Marblemont, Wa., before heading to the far side of the park.
Our family did a trip to the Pacific Northwest seeing Seattle, Portland, North Cascades National Park, the Columbia Gorge, and sites in between. This is what we did on our vacation, hope it helps you in planning your trip to this amazing area!
REST AREA AT SUTTER CREEK
Before entering the park, we stopped at a rest area along the North Cascades Highway/ Washington Highway 20.
Here we had a picnic with a backdrop of the snow-covered mountains of the North Cascades. ( Main blog photo)
You can walk down to Skagit River if it is not high. The water is icy cold.
Address: 55200-55632 N Cascades Hwy, Concrete, WA 98237
Next, we passed by Marblemont, which we will return to after first exploring the parking area nearby.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK WEST ENTRANCE SIGN
We stopped at the sign since it made for a great photo op. The sign incorporates huge boulders and the top has a section like snow, giving a look of actual mountains.
Address: N. Cascades Hwy, Marblemount, WA 98267
NORTH CASCADES VISITOR CENTER
Next, we stopped at the North Cascades Visitor Center to check out exhibits in the park.
Here you can talk with a ranger on hikes and what to see in the park. In the middle is a large relief map of the park.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily
Address: 376 Newhalem St, Marblemount, WA 98267
STERLING MUNRO BOARDWALK
This is a short hike on a boardwalk through a thick forest leading to a mountain view. It starts behind the North Cascades Visitor Center.
Boardwalk’s Name
Named after Sterling Munro, Jr., longtime Chief of Staff to Senator Henry J. Jackson, who devoted himself to preserving the parks and wilderness. This was his favorite path in the park.
The Picket Range
The visible peaks are a small fraction of the vast, glaciated range beyond the highway corridor.
This view is deceiving; the Pickets’ snowfields and rock pinnacles dwarf human explorers. While high on the ridge, mountaineer Fred Becky described Inspiration Peak looming overhead “like a skyscraper.”
After taking in the view we headed back.
Final Thoughts
It is an easy .1 mile walk with little elevation gain with a big payoff at the end with the view of the mountains.
Note: The address is the same as the visitor center.
NEWHALEM VILLAGE
The village once housed people who helped build the dam and now it is part of the national park where you can also take through cedars.
Skagit Information Center
The Skagit Information Center has maps and you can learn more about the village and area.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday-Sunday; Closed, Monday-Thursday
Address: Main St &, State Rte 20, Marblemount, WA 98267
Near the Main Road
You can see the Thunderbird Totem taking in Native American history.
Engine Number 6
By the highway is Engine Number 6. It was a locomotive that was part of the Skagit River Railway, a 31-mile line built by Seattle City Light from Rockport to the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project beginning in 1919. For years, the railroad was the only means of transportation for the project and tourists. Dismantled in 1954.
My son enjoyed climbing on it, ringing the bell, and pretending to work the engine.
Skagit General Store
A store also by the parking lot has some goods for purchase.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday- Thursday; Closed, Friday-Sunday
Parking Address: 502 Newhalem St, Rockport, WA 98283
TRAIL OF CEDARS
This hike leads to a grove of Western red cedars along the Skagit River.
Located in the village of Newhalem south of the small Skagit Information Center at the end of Main Street.
It is .6 mile natural surface trail with 26 feet of elevation gain that has a loop in the middle.
Start of the Hike
First, we crossed a swinging bridge at the end of Main Street in the village of Newhalem. From the bridge, you have views of the Skagit River.
Next to the bridge is a sign that said, “My dad built this bridge,” Charles Wesley Compton “Chuck”, May 15, 1922-Sept. 18, 1983.
On the Trail
After crossing the bridge, we came across the sign that said the forest is fairly new following a fire in 1922.
Next, a sign talks about the importance of a dead Western Hemlock and that woodpeckers use these trees for food.
Then my son and I tried counting the rings of a cut tree to learn its age.
Another sign talks about how cedars grow in a straight line.
Next, we came to a “temporary” powerhouse once used to construct the Gorge dam. Although, this is a recreation after a fire.
Children’s Cave
We saw the remains of some trees with a story about them. The drawing shows how these great trees appeared while still alive. Sunday afternoon May 28, 1967, children playing with candles set the hollow area of the cedars on fire. The arrangement of the three trees formed a natural chimney and the fire reared upward. The trees, too tall for fire hoses to be effective, had to be felled in order to extinguish them.
Final Thoughts
This was an easy exploration and we even stopped at a small beach-like area by the bridge to check the river out. The signs add information for the kid to learn about the forest and the history of the area.
Address (parking by information center): Main St &, State Rte 20, Marblemount, WA 98267
LADDER CREEK FALLS LOOP
Seeing a waterfall that cascades down out of the mountains is the Ladder Creek Falls hike.
It is located just outside of Newhalem on the north side near the Gorge Powerhouse.
This is a .8-mile hike with 89 feet of elevation gain that is mostly paved and involves stairs. Listed as .5 miles, not including the walk from the parking area.
Start of the Hike
We parked in the small lot across from Skagit River. A sign talks about the gorge powerhouse and its past.
History
When the hydroelectric project for Ross Lake was under construction during the 1930s-40s, owner and developer J.D. Ross built the trail and garden to showcase the Ladder Creek Falls.
It became a tourist attraction back then and has colored lights illuminating the falls at night. The light show remains today running a 15-minute repeating program from dusk until midnight year-round. (Although we didn’t have time to see it.)
Power of the Dam
Another sign explains the location of the Gorge Dam which is 2.7 miles upstream from the powerhouse. The water behind the Gorge Dam arrives at the powerhouse via a 24.5-foot diameter “power tunnel” cut into the mountain.
Next, we crossed the metal bridge towards the powerhouse.
Boardwalk Begins
Behind the powerhouse is the boardwalk section of the trail.
Along the trail can see an old water wheel.
Paths around the Falls
Next, we went up some stairs to the rushing water.
It flows narrowly through the rocky canyon.
Creates plunge pools as it flows down.
Then we headed to the left crossing a bridge over the falls. It widens in this area.
You can see it cascade around huge boulders, trees, and limbs.
Another sign provided more history of the walkway.
Then we came to the swinging bridge which we used to head back to the parking lot, completing our loop hike.
Final Thoughts
There is some elevation gain going up along the falls, but for a short hike, it is worth it.
Address: Gorge Powerhouse, Rockport, WA 98283
HOTEL: North Cascades Inn
We stayed the night at North Cascades Inn in Marblemount. Breakfast is left in the refrigerator which allowed us to leave early to start hiking the next morning.
Address: 60117 State Rte. 20, Marblemount, WA 98267
DINNER: Mondo Restaurant
Korean and American food
Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Daily
Address: 60102 State Route 20, Marblemount, WA 98267
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK: SECOND-DAY ADVENTURE
Turquoise-colored lakes, awe-inspiring mountain views, and high cascading waterfalls are what you will find at North Cascades National Park. Our family did a trip to the Pacific Northwest seeing Seattle, Portland, North Cascades National Park, the Columbia Gorge, and sites in between.
MORE PACIFIC NORTHWEST ADVENTURES
Seattle: Touring the Space Needle
Space Needle panoramic views, a ride on a monorail, and watching a salmon run were part of a full day in Seattle.
Seeing Snoqualmie Falls
Gazing at the 270-foot cascading waterfall is the highlight of going to Snoqualmie Falls just outside of Seattle, Washington. Along with seeing the falls.
A Day at Pike Place Market and Taking a Ferry
Today we explored Seattle’s Pike Place Market where you see the famous fish throwing and took a ferry ride across Puget Sound.
Explore Underground Seattle and More
On our first day in Seattle, we went below the city at Underground Seattle, learned about the gold rush, and went to the top of Seattle’s first skyscraper.
