The North Cascades of Washington provide excellent recreational opportunities. Located less 3 hours from Seattle, the mountains provide ample hiking and backpacking. There are also water recreation opportunities in numerous lakes. The region includes North Cascades National Park, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan National Forest, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. We opted to stay at the Concrete/Grandy KOA campground located in Concrete, Washington. There are many hiking trails in the region and below are four of our favorites. We look forward to returning to check out more trails in the future.
We use: “Day Hiking North Cascades: Mt. Baker, Mountain Loop Highway, San Juan Islands, 1% for Trails” guide by Craig Romano for trail ideas and trip planning. Topo maps can be purchased from the Red Apple Grocery store in Concrete, Washington.
Dock Butte Trail – This bucolic 3.5 mile roundtrip trail climbs 1300 feet to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and lakes, including an front row seat for viewing Mt. Baker. From the summit of Dock Butte at 5,210 feet elevation, there is nothing to obscure your view in any direction.
View along the Dock Butte Trail
This hike is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trail head is reached by heading north on Baker Lake Road which is located just west of Concrete or 23 miles east of Burlington on Highway 20. Drive 12 miles north on Baker Lake Road and then turn left onto Forest Service (FS) Road #12. On FS #12, drive 7 miles and then turn left onto FS Road #1230. Follow FS #1230 for 3.8 miles where it will end at the trailhead for Dock Butte and Blue Lake Trails. There is a vault toilet at the trail head.
Dock Butte Trail
From the trailhead, both trails leave from the same place and overlap for the first 0.25 miles. At 0.25 miles, you will reach a signed junction which indicates to head to the right for Dock Butte. Shortly after the junction, we startled a grouse that flew up into a nearby tree. We saw several more grouse during this hike.
Watch for this junction sign and take the trail to the right
We startled this grouse who flew up into a tree
After the junction, the trail climbs steadily through the forest until the higher sections of the trail, where the scenery opens up. Early views of Mt. Baker are possible unless it is obscured by clouds or fog. Soon after the early views, Mt. Baker dominates the landscape with its year round glaciated peak. The final leg of the hike to the summit is hiker’s choice. You can go straight up a very steep ridge or head to the right for a less steep switchback route. The switchback route may be snow covered until mid August and may be dangerous to cross until the snow is gone.
Our early views of Mt. Baker were obscured by clouds
Along the Dock Butte Trail
Nearing the top of the switchbacks
The final stretch to the summit includes a short stretch of rock scrambling. At the top, you are rewarded with 360° views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. If you can tear your eyes off of Mt. Baker, the surrounding peaks clockwise include: Shuksan, Blum, Watson, Sauk, Glacier, Whitehorse, Twin Sisters and nearby Loomis Mountain.
Beautiful view from Dock Butte Trail
Someone had left this bit of trail magic at the summit: “The best view comes after the hardest climb”
Mt. Baker peeking out from the clouds
Hidden Lake Lookout Trail– This trail is also located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and climbs up to a lookout ridge which marks the boundary with North Cascades National Park. We found beautiful flowers and stunning mountain views, including Mt. Baker in early September.
Flowers and mountains on the Hidden Lake Lookout Trail
Directions to the trailhead: “From the Mt. Baker Ranger District office in Sedro-Woolley, follow State Route 20 east for 39 miles to Marblemount. At the east end of town, turn right on Cascade River Road, immediately cross the Skagit River and continue for 9.5 miles to FS road 1540, also known as Sibley Creek Road. Turn left on FS road 1540 and follow approximately five miles to the road’s end. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking area” from the USFS website.
The Hidden Lake Lookout Trail begins through heavy forest
The trail begins in forest and climb quickly for the first mile. Upon leaving the forest, you enter open meadows offering grand views of the Cascade River. After switch backing through meadows for 1.5 miles, the trail levels out and wanders in and around angular slabs of granite and small groups of sub-alpine fir. There are spectacular views of jagged Cascade peaks from the high meadows. You will find sites suitable for fair-weather camping along this portion of the trail. The next mile can be difficult to locate and route-finding skills may be required.
Meadows along the Hidden Lake Trail
Climbing through the top of the meadow
View of the trail and Mt. Baker
Layers of mountains in the North Cascades
At 6,500-foot elevation, enter a small pass with a vista of Hidden Lake and the Hidden Lake Lookout. The final quarter mile to Hidden Lake Lookout traverses a talus slope. The lookout was built in 1931 and stands at 6,850-foot elevation. A volunteer group maintains the lookout, which is open to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis for overnight use. The lookout ridge marks the boundary of North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The approach to Hidden Lake travels down from the pass for a quarter mile through boulders and talus.
Blue Lake Trail – This is not the same Blue Lake Trail co-located with the Dock Butte Trail described above. This Blue Lake Trail is a scenic 4.4 mile roundtrip hike with 1,050 feet elevation gain. This hike is located just outside of the border of the North Cascades National Park in the Okanogan National Forest. The trail climbs through forest to the beautiful tarn tucked under the Early Winters Spires. There are also views of Liberty Bell Mountain and Whistler Mountain.
Liberty Bell Mountain from Blue Lake Trail
The trailhead is located about 54 miles east of Marblemount or 3 miles east of Rainy Pass along Highway 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, between milepost 161 and 162. There is vault toilet available at the trailhead.
Blue Lake and the Early Winters Spires
The trail parallels the highway in dense timber for a short distance before switchbacking away from the road. As you climb through the forest on the well defined trail for the first mile, listen and watch for birds and small mammals, such as squirrels. We saw a woodpecker during our hike. After the first mile their is a brief cleared area before heading back into the trees for another half mile. Here you can view of Liberty Bell Mountain. The trail climbs another half mile before reaching the outlet of Blue Lake. Another 0.2 miles takes you into the lake’s basin. Enjoy views of the Early Winter Spires, Whistler and Cutthroat Peaks from the top. When ready, return back to the trailhead via the route you came.
Thunder Creek Trail– Located within North Cascades National Park, this trail runs along the Thunder Creek valley for 6 miles, making for a 12 mile roundtrip. The elevation for the entire trail is listed at 650 feet. The trail has a rolling terrain which probably totals a higher amount, but the uphills are not usually very steep or long. The trail travels through both old and new growth forest.
Thunder Creek Trail begins through an old growth forest
The trail head for Thunder Creek Trail is located off of Highway 20 about 24 miles east of Marblemount at the Colonial Creek Campground, just past milepost 130. There is a large parking lot with a vault toilet. During camping season, there are also bathrooms available. The trailhead is at the back of the campground, near the amphitheater.
Thunder Creek reflects the surrounding landscape
Thunder Creek Trail beckons you around every corner
The trail travels through old growth forest, which is shady and cool. The trail winds up and down and soon passes an optional side Nature Trail. At 2 miles, the trail crosses a wooden bridge and then travels past several camping spots and an outhouse. After crossing, the trail moves into a younger forest section. At 2.5 miles, the trail reaches a junction with the Fourth of July Pass Trail. We turned around here making for a nice 5 mile roundtrip, but the trail continues for another 3.5 miles through the river valley.
The wooden bridge on Thunder Creek Trail
