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North Cascades Highway · 5 days
Traverse the 'American Alps' along the scenic WA-20 corridor. This journey highlights the dramatic jagged peaks, turquoise glacial waters of Diablo Lake, and the high-alpine beauty of Washington Pass before descending into the Methow Valley.
5days
15stops
232km
Day 1: Burlington → North Cascades → Newhalem
1h 11min · 99km3 stops
Burlington
Burlington · Washington
1h 1min · 97km
North Cascades
Newhalem · Washington
10min · 2.0km
Newhalem
Newhalem · Washington
Day 2: Gorge Creek Falls → Diablo Lake Overlook → Ross Lake Overlook
30min · 18km3 stops
Gorge Creek Falls
Rockport · Washington
10min · 7.1km
Diablo Lake Overlook
Rockport · Washington
10min · 6.2km
Ross Lake Overlook
Rockport · Washington
Day 3: Rainy Pass → Washington Pass Overlook → Liberty Bell Mountain
46min · 50km3 stops
Rainy Pass
Chelan County · Washington
10min · 7.5km
Washington Pass Overlook
Okanogan County · Washington
10min · 1.6km
Liberty Bell Mountain
Okanogan County · Washington
Day 4: Blue Lake → Mazama Store → Winthrop
42min · 52km3 stops
Blue Lake
Okanogan County · Washington
16min · 26km
Mazama Store
Mazama · Washington
16min · 25km
Winthrop
Winthrop · Washington
Day 5: Shafer Historical Museum → Sun Mountain Lodge → Winthrop Town Center
30min · 13km3 stops
Shafer Historical Museum
Winthrop · Washington
10min · 6.6km
Sun Mountain Lodge
Winthrop · Washington
10min · 6.2km
Winthrop Town Center
Winthrop · Washington
Heads Up
- 1. WA-20 is seasonally closed between Ross Dam and Mazama from late autumn to late spring due to heavy snow.
- 2. Cell service is non-existent for most of the drive through the National Park; download offline maps.
- 3. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking at most trailheads.
- 4. Fuel up in Marblemount or Winthrop as there are no gas stations for over 60 miles in the park core.