It’s one of the most remote and rugged parks in the U.S., and a journey into its solitude and grandeur is unforgettable. The northern reaches of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State are affectionately known as the “American Alps,” because of the seemingly endless sea of jagged peaks and rocky cliff-faces. Embark with a naturalist to the North Cascades on our all inclusive, small group day tour from Seattle. This one-of-a-kind adventure will bring you up the Skagit River Valley, through the region’s serrated ridges adorned with icy blue glaciers, past the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake and within the old growth forests of the national park. This is Seattle’s ONLY North Cascades National Park Day Tour and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Anyone interested in wilderness preservation and escaping the humdrum of city life will relish in the scale and grandeur of this protected landscape. The North Cascades are home to powerful rivers that wind through towering, glacier-capped peaks and we will embark on this journey to experience it all. We might meander along the forested shores of Diablo Lake or push on up to Cascade Pass for a stunning view of some of the largest glaciers in the National Park. We will also visit a historic hydroelectric dam to see where Seattle’s electricity is generated, and connect with how this vast, protected watershed impacts the daily lives of millions of Washingtonians.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
7:00am: Depart from Seattle
It’s an early start, but one we recommend to squeeze the most we can out of a single day! We’ll meet you wherever you’re staying in the Seattle area, with our French-press, freshly ground local coffee, tea, pastries, and fruit in tow to enjoy at a stop along our way to the National Park.
10am: Arrive in North Cascades National Park
From here, your day can go so many ways depending on your interests, weather conditions, guide recommendations, and more.
You may poke around the Visitor Center, take dozens of photographs at the view points for Diablo and Ross Lakes, hike up Cascade Pass or Thunder Knob. The day is yours to discover!
12-1p: Lunch at a scenic vista of your choosing!
4:30p: Begin journey back to Seattle
A day traveling through the Skagit Valley wouldn’t be complete without a local stop for some fresh berries or ice cream. As you make your way back to Seattle, experience the shift in topography from the craggy Cascade mountains through logging country and out to verdant, agricultural valleys.
Photos from Your Destination
