First Impressions of North Cascades National Park

My visits to our national parks always seem to coincide with some special moment in my life. It feels like I discover a new park exactly when I need it. My first trip to North Cascades National Park was no different.  

My roommate, Patrick, and our friend, Tim, already knew what was waiting for me beyond the boundary of the park. Weeks before, they made a road trip to this secluded gem a few hours northeast of Seattle. Thankfully, they didn’t spoil anything for me. They did prepare me for the awe and wow awaiting my arrival.  

On a crystal-clear day, we filled Tim’s car with our camera/hiking bags. Our plan was to hike up to one of the many lakes in the park, and then make a few stops to grab some photos.  

As we made our way toward the park, highway noise was slowly replaced with passing trees and rushing water. Consumed in an endless sea of evergreens, I could feel my excitement level rising. I love our national parks, but tackling a new adventure with two of my best friends made this time even more special.  

As we crossed a metal bridge to fully enter the park, I was stunned into disbelief. With each new mile, I saw a buffet of deep valleys, tree-lined mountains, and aqua blue water. At first, it didn’t feel real. It still doesn’t. It also felt gluttonous to have so much beauty in my backyard. How did three guys get so lucky?  

After a quick drive through the park, we arrived at our trailhead right off State Route 20. Shoving cameras, snacks, and water deep into our packs, we began slowly climbing toward a lake a few miles away.  

An hour later, we arrived at our destination. To our surprise, we had this little slice of heaven to ourselves. We snapped photos, ate, and laughed. In every direction, there were vistas demanding our attention and practically begging to be forever enshrined in photographs. To the best of our ability, we obliged.  

Hungry for more, we made our way back to the car. From there, we headed to an overlook that was supposed to provide great angles of the jagged peaks and the highway running through the park. After that, we headed toward the world-famous Diablo Lake. Both stops left my jaw on the ground. As a simple kid from the flatlands of Oklahoma, I was not used to so much beauty. I didn’t know the Earth could do things I was seeing before me. I considered myself beyond blessed to be standing in the shadow of so much bounty.  

After snapping hundreds of photos, we decided it was time to head back toward civilization and Seattle. As we rode the curves through the park, the windshield seemed like a movie screen displaying scenes from Planet Earth in 8K resolution. Once again, I considered myself lucky to have such a treasure in my backyard.  

Years after our trip, I would learn that North Cascades National Park is the least visited park in the state. In 2023, just 40,351 people (about twice the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden) visited the park. In Washington State, Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks rightfully steal the show. I understand the attention they receive, but in my heart of hearts, I feel North Cascades National Park is one of the most beautiful in the entire park system.  

But the lack of crowds is also one of the park’s many selling points. It is never crowded and unspoiled by people who can never fully appreciate it. Those who choose to visit this park are choosing to go out of their way to do so. When they do, I know many of them walk away with a feeling like mine. If you choose to make the journey, prepare yourself. You will be truly amazed.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

Captured: North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is one of those places I want everyone to know about, but I want to keep completely to myself. It is a place of outstanding beauty with vistas defying description. I have lived in Washington for a long time and I have visited the park more times than I count. Each time, it leaves me astounded.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Out/Back: Diablo Lake Trail, North Cascades National Park

An escape to a hiking trail within a few hours of Seattle during the summer often means cooler temperatures and relief from concrete reflections of heat in our otherwise temperate home. Most of the time this is a safe bet, but not during the final weekend of June when we experienced a once-in-a-thousand-year heat dome sitting over the Pacific Northwest pushing temperatures about 100 degrees. As we began our hike at 8:30 am, I thought relief might hold with 75 degrees greeting us at the trailhead. Within a few hours of hiking, oppressive heat found us on every exposed ridge.  

 The entire Cascade Range is breathtaking, but the North Cascades are something special. Never crowded and featuring awe-inspiring views around every bend, these mountains, forests, and lakes make me want to be better at everything I hold dear. They inspire me to hike bigger miles, take better photos, and write better essays. With every visit, I leave with a greater sense of self and a desire to be more creative.  

Diablo Lake Trail wraps around the turquoise wonder that draws people from all over the world to North Cascades National Park. Beginning in the trees, the trail offers a pretty standard Washington hike. Then you begin to climb in elevation. As you do, exposed ridges offer momentary glimpses of the lake, mountains, and passing cars on the other side of the canyon. After two miles of hiking, you reach the summit and begin descending toward the lake and Ross Dam. After another two miles, you reach a wonderful bridge crossing the lake. Here, you can fully see the dam. When we visited, we hiked around the corner to a ferry dock. Here, we jumped in for a little relief from the heat. After some moments spent in awe, we reversed course and returned to the car.  

With every hike since March of 2020, the Pacific Crest Trail and the idea of once again attempting a thru-hike bounces around my mind. I will often spend time amid an internal debate over my hiker status. Perhaps, I am just a day-hiker. Then, I will spend some time trying to convince myself to become something more. I must be a backpacker. I must reach the pinnacle and become a thru-hiker. After the trail is finished, I find myself no closer to an answer. The debate will linger on and leave me with a decision to make.  

This National Park holds a special place in my heart. Here, Tim, Patrick, and I hiked together for the first time. We weren’t concerned with big miles. As three budding photographers, we were concerned with capturing the moment and perfecting our craft. Here, Elizabeth and I decided to attempt the Pacific Crest Trail. Here, I came to appreciate the spectacular beauty of Washington. Here, I fell deeply in love with hiking. So many great things have happened here for me. So many moments in time that I will treasure forever.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

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Out/Back: Boulder River Trail

Back in Washington

Washington state is where I fell in love with hiking. Among her mountains, streams, shores, rivers, hills, deserts, and valleys, I discovered something that makes me happier than almost anything else. After moving to Los Angeles, I promised myself on every return visit I would make it a point to get back on the playground that started it all. For this trip, the trail was Boulder River Trail outside of Oso in the North Cascades. As soon as I found myself underneath a canopy of trees putting one foot in front of the other, I knew was home.

Green Everywhere

The drive to Boulder River Trail is a little challenging for a four-door sedan, but once you are on the trail all of that seems to wash away. Most of the trail follows the length of the river. The highlight is a beautiful cascading waterfall a short distance from the trailhead. From that point, the trail turns inward through the forest. None of the climbs are extremely difficult, but thanks to some mud and downed trees there is enough here to challenge the most seasoned hiker. The trail ends at one of the larger expanses of the river. Without a doubt, it was a beautiful spot to take a break before hiking back to the car. For me, it reminded me of everything I missed about hiking in Washington.

Little Brother

On this hike, Brandon’s little brother joined us. Before making the trip, Brandon invited him to come along. From what I was told, he was over the moon with excitement. As we began hiking and the miles started to accumulate, his enthusiasm evaporated. Now, I should mention that Brandon’s little brother is struggling with his weight. For this reason, I chose an easy trail with hopes that he would fall in love with hiking. Somewhere before the end, he decided he was done and began the journey back to the car. So much for finding another convert!

3 Miles an Hour

I have become obsessed with hiking three miles an hour. As I race down declines and fight up inclines, I am constantly checking my watch to see how fast I am moving. This is the pace I think I will need to maintain if I am going to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail next year. In my mind, if I can hike at this speed and do somewhere in the ballpark of 40,000 steps per day, then I should have no problem reaching the Canadian border by the end of September.

The Pacific Crest Trail

Of the 2.650 miles that comprise the Pacific Crest Trail, I have only hiked a small part of one section, and it was in Washington state. That was my first and only taste of something that has become an obsession, but it was enough to move me to action. Now, living in southern California, the opportunities to step on the trial are boundless, but I refuse. I will not hike any piece of the PCT before next year. Kind of like a hockey player who refuses to touch the Stanley Cup before winning it, I am refusing to spoil this opportunity before it is time.

 Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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Captured: North Cascades National Park

Thanks for entering my world, 

-Nathan 

Thoughts After A Hike Through Old Robe Canyon

First, I must air a grievance. Dear Washington Trail Association, from Granite can mean two things in Western Washington: Granite Mountain which is near North Bend or Granite Falls which is in the North Cascades. Not knowing which one you meant, I assumed Granite Mountain. I was wrong. So, please be specific in your driving instructions. 

There is a joy to be found in getting lost. On purpose or by accident, being lost can be a physical or mental state. The hunt for Old Robe Canyon had us occupying both. Filled with anger, then joy and finally subcumbing to the adventure, the open road between Granite Mountain and Granite Falls had a way of changing my mood. Filled with quaint little towns with mountainous peaks playing backdrop, the splendor of Washington was on full display. 

Old Robe Canyon is made of 5 tunnels. These tunnels were blasted into the side of a mountain. In places the old rails for moving debris, timber and whatever else once called this spot home, are still in place. The rails now sit dormant. Left to rust, they have a forgotten purpose. Yet, they conjure up a new appreciation for those who walk in between them; an appreciation for the men and women who built this state and this corner of the country. They were pioneers. The world needs more pioneers. 

As I hiked, I was struck by the beauty of small things. Everywhere you looked, small flowers of various shades and varieties were in bloom. Alone, they weren't much to look at, but together they were powerful and begged to be photographed. I was happy to oblige. In those moments of captivity, I was moved at the tiny ecosystem before me. Small flowers, small bees, small movements, all in the name of survival. There is a lesson to be learned here. Something about no small parts, but only small players. Paraphrasing has never been my strong suit. 

I also found a sense of humility while hiking on slippery rocks. I learned I am not invincible. My tailbone and forearm took the hardest blow as I slipped. My 30 year old body holds onto pain much longer these days. In a matter of moments, I felt the full impact of time slipping away, both figuratively and literally. 

Leaving the Canyon, we still had plenty of daylight. The sheer beauty of the North Cascades was beckoning for a drive. As we flew down old dirt roads, the smell of rain and dirt lingered. We pulled over a few times to capture moments forever. At other stops, we were pleased to let our eyes and senses capture the moment. Oso was a moment that will linger forever. Coming upon the site of the Washington mudslide was pure accident. Seeing the devastation and total destruction of lives, homes and environment changed me. Beginning and ending a trip based on accidents may send most people into a tantrum. I couldn't have been prouder of these moments. I will remember them forever. 

Thanks for entering my world, 

-Nathan 

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