North Cascades National Park

1. North Cascades National Park Overview

• How many bird species can be found in North Cascades National Park?
  • Over 200 species of birds have been seen in the park, including the threatened marbled murrelet and the spotted owl.
• What mammals can visitors see in the park?
  • Visitors may see Columbia black-tailed deer and pikas, or perhaps the more elusive wolverine and gray wolf.
• What makes North Cascades National Park ecologically unique?
  • As one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, the park is home to a variety of fish species, invertebrates, and insects.
• What bodies of water are located within North Cascades National Park?
  • Bodies of water in the park include The Gorge, Lake Chelan, Diablo Lake, and Ross Lake at Hozomeen.
• Where can visitors go whitewater rafting and kayaking?
  • Whitewater rafting and kayaking take place on the Skagit River and Stehekin River.
• What makes hiking in North Cascades National Park unique?
  • The park’s extreme gradient and climate changes create a variety of hiking trails that pass through different habitats with unique species.
• How many miles of trails are in the park?
  • The park is home to over 400 miles of trails.
• What types of hiking experiences are available?
  • Visitors can enjoy day hikes or overnight backpacking.
• What types of campsites are available in North Cascades National Park?
  • The park offers drive-in and boat-in campsites as well as wilderness campsites for those seeking more solitude and adventure.
• Are there horseback riding trails in the park?
  • Several of the trails and campsites are open to stock for horseback riding, especially those surrounding Lake Chelan.
• Where is Stehekin Valley located?
  • Stehekin Valley is located at the headwaters of Lake Chelan and is accessible only by foot, boat, or plane.
• How many people live in Stehekin Valley?
  • The small community has only 75 permanent residents.
• What are the major attractions in Stehekin Valley?
  • Notable landmarks include the 300-foot Rainbow Falls, the Harlequin Bridge, and the Buckner Homestead Historic District.
• What is the Buckner Homestead Historic District?
  • The Buckner Homestead Historic District is a collection of structures from the late 1800s through the 1950s that represent the history of settlement in the area.

2. North Cascades National Park History

• How long have people lived in the North Cascades area?
  • Archeological evidence and artifacts indicate that people have lived in the North Cascades area for over 9,500 years.
• How many prehistoric sites have been identified in North Cascades National Park?
  • Over 260 prehistoric sites have been identified within the park.
• How did Native people survive in the North Cascades?
  • Native people lived in the mountainous region for thousands of years, subsisting off the land and using trade routes for survival.
• What was the significance of trade routes in the North Cascades?
  • Trade routes between the east and west sides of the mountain range were vital for survival. One important route, the Cascade Pass, remains a favorite for backpackers and climbers today.
• When did miners arrive in the North Cascades?
  • Miners arrived in the area between the 1850s and 1950s in search of gold, silver, and lead along the Skagit River.
• When did the last mines close in the North Cascades?
  • The last mines in the area closed in the 1950s.
• How did mining, logging, and settlement impact the area?
  • Mining, logging, and settlement led to the construction of many roads in the mid-1900s, as well as the development of hydroelectric dams.
• What dams were built in the North Cascades?
  • The Ross Dam, Diablo Dam, and Gorge Dam were constructed to provide hydroelectric power.
• Do the dams still provide power today?
  • Yes, the dams still provide power to the city of Seattle to this day.
• How many historic structures are maintained in the park?
  • The park currently maintains over 81 historic structures.
• How many historic cultural landscapes are in the park?
  • The park contains remnants of over 20 historic cultural landscapes.
• What historical sites can be found in the park?
  • These sites include abandoned mines, historic hotels, ranger lodges, and cabins.
• When was the North Cascades area designated as a National Park?
  • The area was designated as a National Park in 1968.
• Were there earlier attempts to preserve the North Cascades?
  • Yes, there was a long history of failed preservation attempts dating back to the late 1800s.
• How much of the park is designated as a wilderness area?
  • Today, over 90% of the park is set aside as a wilderness area.

3. North Cascades National Park Ongoing Programs and Education

• What ranger-led programs are available in the summer?
  • During the summer months, the park offers several ranger-led programs, including evening programs, historic walking tours, and ranger talks.
• Where are the evening ranger programs held?
  • Evening programs take place in the Skagit district, including campfire talks at the Newhalem Creek Campground Amphitheater.
• What is "Newhalem by Night"?
  • Newhalem by Night is a slide-show talk about the history of City Light in the North Cascades.
• What is the Ladder Creek Falls light show?
  • The historic Ladder Creek Falls light show closes out the evening programs, offering a unique illuminated experience in the park.
• Where else do evening talks take place?
  • Evening talks also take place in Hozomeen at the north end of Ross Lake.
• What are the Historic Newhalem Walking Tours?
  • The Historic Newhalem Walking Tours meet at the Skagit Visitor Center and offer easy one-hour walks that explore the history of the dam’s company town and the Skagit Hydroelectric Project.
• Where can visitors attend ranger talks on history and culture?
  • Ranger talks on the history and culture of the area take place at the Diablo Lake Overlook.
• What is the North Cascades Institute?
  • The North Cascades Institute is a non-profit organization that operates within the park to provide a variety of educational programs for both children and adults.
• What is the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center?
  • The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is a state-of-the-art facility within the park that offers classroom space, an amphitheater, a dining hall, and lodging.
• What tours are offered by Skagit Tours?
  • Skagit Tours offers walking tours, boat tours on Diablo Lake, and tours of the historic Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem.

Find it at this Address: 810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284, Phone: 360-854-7200