Valleys and Glaciers of the North Cascades
Fall Hiking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 20+MI / 32+KM
Trip Highlights
Our hike begins with a steep ascent to a mountain pass, providing breathtaking views before descending to a pristine creek. A rest day by the creek will allow us time to relax, dip in the cold mountain waters, and explore a nearby mountain basin and historic mine. On day 3, we’ll retrace our steps back up to the pass and continue toward a prominent glacier, reaching a dramatic exposed campsite at 7,600 feet, where peaks stretch as far as the eye can see. Finally, we’ll descend through the familiar switchbacks back to our vehicle, concluding our unforgettable journey.
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Max 3 Guests
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Incredible Camps
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Abundant Wildlife
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Mountain Solitude
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Alpine Hiking
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Waterfalls & Wildflowers
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Glaciers
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Fall Hiking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-7 mi -
Group Size
3 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows mostly well maintained trails, but with some very steep sections. Overall it has significant elevation gains/losses on steep trails, which is why it has a Difficulty 4 rating. On Day 3 we have a 4,400 feet elevation climb over 6.5 miles, which is a very big day with packs. We have to make it the entire distance on this day because there’s nowhere else to camp. There are also sections with moderate heights exposure.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
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.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
Hiking Mileage: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,300 feet
This multi-day hiking trip in North Cascades National Park begins with a pickup at your hotel in Seattle, followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the North Cascades. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we’ll organize our packs and gear before starting our ascent. We’ll gain significant elevation, taking it switchback by switchback as we climb out of the trees and enjoy spectacular views of jagged peaks and glaciers.
We’ll pause for a well-deserved break at a breathtaking mountain pass, soaking in the stunning scenery and vibrant wildflowers. From there, we’ll descend into a lush area near the headwaters of a major river. Our campsite will be along a nearby creek, where we can soak our feet in the refreshing water and enjoy a hearty dinner before settling in for the night.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Elevation Loss: 1,000 feet
Day 2 is our rest day, allowing us to enjoy a leisurely breakfast together before we grab our daypacks and head back up the trail. We’ll trek half a mile before veering north towards another stunning valley and subalpine basin.
Another 1.5 miles will bring us to the steep headwalls of this basin, adorned with vibrant wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and impressive granite cliffs. This is a perfect opportunity to search for wildlife and soak in the breathtaking views. After exploring, we’ll make our way back to camp for a restful evening, reflecting on the day’s adventures.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,400 feet
Day 3 is all about ascending! We’ll pack up camp early and make our way back towards the pass from Day 1, bidding farewell to the creek as we keep an eye out for bears and marmots along the trail. Once we reach the pass, we’ll turn north and continue climbing to the base of a major glacier.
This section offers the most stunning views of the hike, with dramatic vistas overlooking the glacier and an alpine lake, leading us to one of the most iconic campsites in the North Cascades. Our campsite tonight will be exposed and windy, surrounded by peaks, glaciers, and open sky. Determined campers have built substantial rock walls to shield against the wind, making it feel like a different world up here.
While our night may be a bit chilly and breezy, the breathtaking surroundings make it all worthwhile. We’ll likely spot black bears, marmots, ptarmigans, and more in the area, so let’s keep our eyes peeled for wildlife. If the night is clear, we’ll also enjoy some of the best stargazing in Washington, a perfect way to end the day.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.4 miles
Elevation Loss: 4,300 feet
Shuttle to Seattle: 3 hours
On our final day, we’ll soak up the sunrise over the glacier before packing up camp after one last breakfast together. We’ll retrace our steps back to Cascade Pass, savoring the stunning views one last time as we descend down the switchbacks toward our vehicle.
The journey back offers plenty of dramatic vistas to keep us entertained, and we’ll bid farewell to the subalpine as we drop back into the forest. Once we reach our car, we’ll hop in and begin our drive back to Seattle, where you can look forward to a real shower and a cozy bed after an unforgettable adventure!
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Seattle and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
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 Logistics & FAQs
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.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 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
Reviews
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Kerri W
2 years agoFrom start to finish was great!
I will absolutely use WT again. Rachel was the best guide! I loved my backpacking trip to the North Cascades!
Craig F
2 years agoAmong the Best
Of all the great trips that Wildland offers in the Pacific Northwest, this one has to be among the best. The stunning views of precipitous peaks and hanging glaciers high above you as you start out on the trail the first day only get better the higher you go. By the time you’ve reached Sahale Glacier on the third day, you are looking down on those same vistas and the world has opened up into a vast panorama of dozens more spectacular peaks and glaciers spread out in every direction. Add some friendly encounters with photogenic marmots and passing mountain goats and you have a fantastic trip in the wild and beautiful North Cascades. I already want to do this trip again. Thank you Jen and Wildland.
Joel P
5 years agoCan't recommend the experience highly enough!
My sixteen-year-old son and I just returned from a three-day hike in the North Cascades and can't recommend the experience highly enough! Daniel was an excellent guide and, even more importantly, a genuinely good person. He had a ton of interesting knowledge to share and I specifically enjoyed hearing about his relationships and understanding of the local indigenous communities. This was my son's first hike and we easily created father/son memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you!
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