Ross Lake Traverse in the North Cascades
Seattle, WA
4.9 (18 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Stunning Views of Ross Lake
- Rejuvenating Mountain Solitude
- Breathtaking Waterfalls
- Ancient, Old Growth Forests
- Amazing North Cascades High Country
- Abundant Wildlife Habitat
- Towering Granite Peaks
Description
Towering peaks and old-growth forests surround us on this 5-day backpacking adventure that traverses the east shore of one of North Cascades National Park’s most picturesque bodies of water: Ross Lake. This trip stays along the lakeshore, making it an ideal early-season (June and July) North Cascades adventure.
We’ll start at Ruby Arm—the southeasternmost inlet of Ross Lake—and hike 32 miles along the lakeshore, crossing tumbling creeks and exploring side drainages tucked between high granite spires. As we trek, we’ll be treated to stunning views of the snow-covered peaks towering above us, creating a breathtaking backdrop for our journey.
After completing our traverse of the lake, we’ll take a water taxi back to our starting point, allowing us to see everything we hiked from an entirely new perspective. This adventure promises to be a memorable experience filled with natural beauty!
$2200 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trek is on mostly well maintained trails with moderate elevation gains and losses. Expect mostly moderate hiking on dirt and rock trails, with some creek crossings and a 35-45 pound backpack.
Hiking Distances:
4-8.5 mi
Backpack Weight:
35-45 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1000
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 35-45 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 4
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this North Cascades National Park hike a solitude 4. You can expect to see a couple other groups of hikers per day.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: Minimal
Day two takes us along the edge of Ross Lake for several miles, where we’ll enjoy dramatic views of the deep blue water and the towering peaks across the lake as we traverse north to Lightning Creek. The elevation change is minimal since we’ll be hugging the lakeshore all day, but the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Keep an eye out for fish jumping and eagles soaring overhead, adding to the beauty of our surroundings as we immerse ourselves in this serene landscape.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 6.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Elevation Loss: 400 feet
Leaving the sometimes busy Lightning Creek behind, we’ll switchback steeply up to gain some final views of this section of Ross Lake before descending into the beautiful Lightning Creek valley. As we make our way up Lightning Creek, we’ll arrive at our campsite nestled beneath towering cedar trees.
This night will feel quite different from the wide-open panoramas of Ross Lake; we’ll be tucked away under these magnificent giants, allowing us to appreciate the rugged and wild forests of the North Cascades. The sounds of the forest will surround us, creating a peaceful backdrop for our evening in this serene setting.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 5.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet
On Day 4, we’ll continue our journey up Lightning Creek, weaving through more old-growth forest before climbing over a small pass. Our day culminates with a hike along a spur trail to Hozemeen Lake—a stunning blue-green lake framed by the impressive granite tower of Hozomeen Mountain.
As we settle in for our last night, we’ll keep an eye out for black bears, deer, elk, and possibly even wolves—and since we’re close to the Canadian border, there’s a chance we might spot grizzly bears too! We’ll savor one final delicious dinner, take in the beautiful reflections on the lake, and then enjoy a restful night under the stars, wrapping up an unforgettable adventure in the North Cascades.
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Loss: 500 feet
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Bear cannisters for food storage
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Seattle and back
- All entrance fees, permits and passes
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Seattle, WA.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Seattle
Seattle is one of the United States’ most convenient cities to travel to. SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle. Please stay at one of our recommended hotels (coming soon!), all of which have airport shuttles so you do not have to rent a vehicle.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. uninterrupted for a minimum of 8 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in North Cascades National Park
The best hiking weather in the North Cascades is from mid June to late September, when the vast majority of trails (except ones up very high) are snow free. The west side of the Park catches the brunt of storm systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean, making the west side much wetter and more lush. The lower east side tends to be much warmer and drier throughout the summer. The west side receives on average 70+ inches more of precipitation and 400+ more inches of snowfall than the west side. Even with these discrpencies however, summer is a stunning time of year to be in the Cascades, on either side. See below for average temperatures and precipitation in North Cascades National Park:
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 63° | 41° | 2.2 in |
| July | 70° | 45° | 1.7 in |
| August | 70° | 45° | 1.7 in |
| September | 61° | 39° | 2.5 in |
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Mary Beth H
First Rate Organization
The Ross Lake trip in late August was beautiful and our guide, Landon Samaya, was fantastic. I recommend the trip highly!
Elizabeth C
10/10 Experience
One of the most stunning hikes of my life. The Ross Lake Traverse really shows you the wonders of the Cascades. We saw so much wildlife and I loved that we could swim or dip every day and camp along lakes. Our guide, Jeremy, was top notch: friendly, knowledgeable, and he kept everything running smoothly. 10/10, cannot recommend highly enough!
Christina C
Magical Place
This was my first backpacking trip and it did not disappoint. The North Cascades is a magical place, from the glaciers to the wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a pine martin, a bald eagle, loones and a mama bear and her two cubs. Our guide Jeremy was knowledgeable and super down to earth. Cooked us some amazing meals, I thoroughly enjoyed the Dove chocolate quotes after dinner. Overall, this trip was more than I could've asked for and I can't wait to book my next trip!
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