This amazing, off-the-beaten-path trek spans 32 miles and gains over 6600 ft in elevation in four days through a far less traveled part of North Cascades National Park due to its remote location. We’ll hike along the famous Pacific Crest Trail; through quiet, old growth forests of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa Pine; and along pristine mountain creeks. With exciting water crossings, high mountain passes and famous lakes, this trip delivers an invigorating, scenic adventure in a relatively short amount of time. If you want to experience all the North Cascades have to offer – alpine lakes, jagged peaks, high and sub-alpine meadows, glorious campsites, and glacier fed waterways – this trip is an excellent choice!
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation
- Private Guide
- Meals
- Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Enjoy the stunning views of Bowan Mountain
- Enjoy a rejuvenating dinner
Day 1: North Cascade National Park
Shuttle to Trailhead: 5 hours Hiking Mileage: 4.7 miles Elevation Loss: 1100 feet This multi-day North Cascade National Park hike begins with a pick up in Seattle and then a scenic drive into the North Cascades. When we reach the trailhead, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before packing up and hitting the trail. We’ll have a moderate hike down the forest canyon following a beautiful mountain creek, as it winds among groves of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa Pine. The creek will lead us to our first camp where we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner to prepare ourselves for a more challenging day 2.
Day 2: Views of Bowan Mountain
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles Elevation Gain: 3100 feet Elevation Loss: 1000 feet On day 2 we’ll rise, fuel our bodies with a quick breakfast, and pack up camp in a timely manner as we have much elevation to gain today! We’ll continue to follow yesterday’s creek until we reach a fork at which point we will ford the river to continue south toward a stunning lake. After making it safely across the creek, we’ll begin our trek toward an amazing pass with stunning views of Bowan Mountain. Our climb takes us up 3,100 feet over 6.9 miles. Just after the pass, we descend slightly, down to a mountain lake where we will relax and snap some photos. Once we arrive at camp, we’ll have the opportunity to relax over another delicious dinner.
Day 3: Rainbow Mountain
Hiking Mileage: 9 miles Elevation Gain: 2500 feet Elevation Loss: 1800 feet The morning of day 3 we’ll wake up and get ready for another full day of hiking! After we hit the trail, we’ll hike down through meadows of wildflowers and along a majestic creek, where we can soak up stunning views of jagged Rainbow Mountain. We’ll head north at the junction of another creek and start climbing along a ridge toward a high mountain pass. Once over the pass, we’ll make our way down toward a beautiful lake, heading off the main trail to camp in a spectacular subalpine meadow for the night. We’ll enjoy a rejuvenating dinner under the light of the stars to prepare for an invigorating last day of hiking.
Day 4: North Cascades
Hiking Mileage: 9.7 miles Elevation Gain: 1000 feet Elevation Loss: 2700 feet On our final day we’ll enjoy our breakfast watching the sun rise before embarking on our longest hike of the trip in terms of distance. We’ll hike down, down, down into the forest and have one more creek to ford before reaching the familiar site of the creek from day 1. All that’s left from here is a final push up the forested canyon where our journey began to our awaiting vehicle. A small celebration in the parking lot for completing a difficult loop in one of the North Cascades’ lesser known and traveled areas is in order! After a nice break and a chance to change our footwear, we’ll climb back into the car and head for your luxurious Seattle hotel room where a warm shower and a real bed await you!
