Hikes in North Cascades: The 3 Best Easy Trails
The North Cascades area is one of the most gorgeous places in all of Washington state, heck, probably even in the entire Pacific Northwest region! It is filled with stunning mountain peaks, glacial water, alpine lakes, and rich wildlife. It is also known as being a hiker’s paradise…for intense hikers. The majority of the hikes in the North Cascades are more challenging, ranging from 7-12+ miles and 2-4,000+ feet elevation gain. But, there are few gems for those of us who want to visit but don’t want to struggle up a difficult hike. Here are three incredible easy hikes in North Cascades area* that are approachable for most hikers and that are worth the effort to visit.
*Two of these trails are in the North Cascades, but technically outside the boundaries of the park. They are on national forest land. This is great for pet owners, because this means they are dog-friendly too (surprisingly even the trail that is within the boundaries of the park is pet-friendly, which is unusual for national parks!)
If you want a list of the hikes that are strictly within the bounds of the North Cascades National Park, you can find them here. But honestly, it’s all in the same region and beauty isn’t defined by technicalities!
Where are the best easy hikes in North Cascades?
The best easy hikes in North Cascades are quite a drive, coming from Seattle. It will take you 3-4 hours to drive to the trailheads, depending on where you’re going. Thunder Knob trail is the closest to Seattle as it’s the furthest west. Both Blue Lake and Cutthroat Lake are about 30-40 minutes further east on the North Cascades highway. I recommend staying a night or two in the area.
Where to stay in the North Cascades?
There are a handful of campgrounds that are open during peak season, as well as some hotels. Here are some recommendations:
- Colonial Creek Campground is the closest you can get to these hikes, so it’s unbeatable for proximity! You can reserve 6 months in advance, on recreation.gov.
- Glacier Peak Resort is about as close as you can stay to the park on the west side (where you’ll come from if you’re visiting from Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver areas)
- Mount Baker Hotel is incredibly popular and a bit farther out
Getting from Seattle to North Cascades
It’s a bit of a drive, but a beautiful one. You’ll head up I-5 North for about 45 miles, then head east in Arlington on 520-East. This is where the drive starts to get prettier. After another 46 miles, you’ll take a right to continue east on 20 East. From there it’s another 30 miles or so and it’s GORGEOUS.
Pro tip: gas up at the final gas stations before the park. Particularly if you’re hiking Cutthroat Lake and Blue Lake, you’ll likely be driving back and forth a bit and you do not want to run out of gas. I didn’t fill up and was running on fumes by the time we returned!
The best hikes in North Cascades (that are easy)
Blue Lake Trail
Of all the easy hikes in North Cascades, Blue Lake trail is probably the most famous, and for good reason. In the summer, you can dip your feet (or your whole body) into the gorgeous blue green waters of the lake.
The trail is partially shaded, which means it’s more comfortable, especially in summer. At 4.4 miles and 1,050 feet elevation gain, this is the most challenging of the three hikes. Our 7-year-old nephew was able to easily hike this trail and our 4-year-old niece did it with a little prodding and help. It’s truly approachable for many people of all ages.
You’ll pass through boardwalks in the forest at the beginning, a gorgeous meadow in the middle (watch for wildflowers in summer!), expansive views of the Cascade mountains, and finally you’ll reach a stream which indicates the lake is just around the bend.
There’s a nice rocky area that is excellent for taking photos with the lake, as well as some lakeshore areas on each side of the lake. I recommend taking photos on the rocks and then heading to a shoreline area to dip your feet in the water. Depending on how hot it is, you may enjoy a quick swim.
Pro tip: Bring your bathing suit and a towel, or hike in with your swimsuit on under your clothes (there’s nowhere to change easily at the lakeside).
2. Thunder Knob Trail
Thunder Knob Trail is the perfect trail to visit after arriving in the North Cascades, as it’s right along the shores of Diablo Lake. It’s located within Colonial Creek Campground, so if you’re staying in the campground, you won’t have to drive at all to get here.
The Thunder Knob Trail begins crossing a stream and gently climbs through the forest with peek-a-boo views of the lake below as you climb. There are lovely benches you can rest on along the way, some with striking views of the mountains rising south of the lake.
From the top, you’ll be treated to lovely panoramas of the glaciated waters of Diablo Lake, which changes color depending on when you go. When I hiked the trail in May, it was a dark blue; in July, it was a gatorade blue color.
The Thunder Knob Trail is 3.6 miles covering 635 feet of elevation gain and is definitely worth a couple of hours to enjoy.
3. Cutthroat Lake Trail
The least populated of all the trails, Cutthroat Lake is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a little further east than the other two trails, but only about 10 minutes beyond the Blue Lake trailhead. The Cutthroat Lake Trail is definitely drier and has fewer trees, but enough shade to make it bearable even in the peak of summer. On the day we visited, it was in the 90s and we were still able to hike!
The perk of the drier, less forested element of the trail? You get more mountain views throughout your hike. And the water crossings are beautiful. We spent quite a bit of time enjoying the final stream area, wading into the water and soaking in the beauty. Be sure to wear bug spray here in the summer!
Final thoughts on the best easy hikes in North Cascades
The North Cascades are renowned for their rugged beauty and difficult trails, but there are definitely a few gems of beautiful, easy hikes in the region, too. Blue Lake, Thunder Knob, and Cutthroat Lake should all be added to your itinerary when you’d like an easier day on the trails!
Looking for more info on exploring the North Cascades? Check out my complete guide to the North Cascades here.
