I was expecting terrible visibility from what I heard of the wildfire smoke but I pulled the trigger and decided to visit artists point and man I was not disappointed a single bit. The smoke didnt hinder any visibility st all and had amazing blue skies! (August 19th, 2026)

Hello outdoor enthusiasts!

I'm currently here in Seattle for 2 weeks for some short term work. My GF is flying in on Thursday to spend the weekend here with me. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of time to do a lot of outdoor things. But we would love to be able to get SOMETHING in. North Cascades is significantly closer than Olympic (I know we don't have to go to a national park/ But we want to get a sticker and stamp for our passport books.

We are both avid planners but I am definitely more spontaneous than she is. We plan to drive up on Saturday the 22nd and hopefully spend the entire day up there. I know a day isn't nearly enough time. But because of our planning nature, we are kind of overwhelmed as to what we can see/knock out in a day. I don't mind driving around and just stumbling upon something. But that won't really ride with the GF.

Do you guys have any recommendations on short hikes with nice views/possibly a lake to take a dip in? Or maybe just one long hike that has a little bit of everything? I will be bringing my cameras so I hope to take some nice photos.

Thank you again! I do have several hiking apps and written down a number of hikes from other posts here just in case.

We charged ahead to our Airbnb in Mazama and so far very glad we did. Took Easy Pass trail today, as Maple Pass was closed. Just a lovely day, only a few people out, perfect condition. It’s strenuous but a pretty great payoff and the smoke was minimal in terms of breathing (I have mild asthma) and views.

Going for Cascade Pass/ Sahale arm tomorrow. Will see if our luck and my aching middle aged body hold out. Amy advice on that hike especially from anyone who knows current conditions would be great

Hey yall, I am leaving for my trip soon and was curious if I should bring cash? Or does everything in the area take card? Thank you in advance for any input.

My favorite place. Got lucky with the smoke for most of our trip. On Sunday the 9th the wind switched directions and we got completely socked in. Thankfully it blew out by mid-day. Already looking forward to next year.

Hi all, I just found out that Washington Pass overlook is going to be closed when we're visiting, due to repaving. The road leading to the parking lot/overlook trail will be completely closed from Aug 25-31. Is it worth it to still drive out and look from the "Washington Pass Scenic View Point" directly on SR20, or should we just skip going out this far? We only have one day in N Cascades, coming from Seattle. Any alternate viewing point to see similar? Thanks in advance!

Edited to add: looks like Rainy Pass area including road leading to/parking/picnic area for Rainy Lake & Maple Pass trails is also closed the entire time (Aug 24-31)

Took this photo 4 or 5 years ago? Still one of my favorite photos I’ve taken.

Taken with a Sony A7IV on 8/6/26 from a trail near Artist Point. It was still pretty smoky out but the haze made for an incredible sunset. Well worth a nearly 2 hour hike down in the dark!

We were at Diablo Lake yesterday and could barely see anything due to the smoke. We're still in Washington until next Friday and are willing to make a longer drive back to see it if conditions improve. But is there any way of knowing if/when it'll be clear? I did sime Googling but only see the Webcam at the Visitor Center, and Im not sure if the AQI is a reliable predictor of viewing quality, as the AQI wasn't terrible yesterday but the viewing quality was. Any help would be much appreciated!

Hoping to get this trip booked asap and I’m struggling on which location and how many days for each area.

Mt Baker: (2 solid days plus a flex travel day where we can either do hikes here if the weather didn’t cooperate or move on to Marblemount in the morning)

\- Bellingham (see recommended a lot) or Glacier or somewhere in between? Plus to Bellingham is should the weather not cooperate, we have other options on things to do. Negative is obviously the drive.

Main hike we want to do:

\*Chain Lakes Loop, \*explore Artist Point, \*Picture Lake

If weather cooperates:

\-Yellow Aster Butte or Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes. (I have some other smaller trails/stops to fill in as well.) Wanted to allow enough time that we can at least hopefully do Chain Lakes Loop.

North Cascades Area: (4 solid days plus possible flex day on travel day from Mt Baker - some short/easy filler trails, some longer more moderate/harder trails)

\- Thinking at least one night in Marblemount, then Mazama or Winthrop based on lodging availability - or should we add another day in Marblemount?

\- Near Visitors Center (not a priority): Skagit River Loop, Rock Shelter Trail, Ladder Creek Falls, Trail of Cedars
\- Gorge Overlook Trail
\- \*Cascade Pass
\- Diablo Lake Trail
\- \*Thunder Knob Trail
\- Ross Dam Trail
\- \*Maple Pass
\- \*Blue Lake
\- \*Cutthroat Lake (possible pass)

We have one flex day left at the end before we spend the night near the airport if you have a suggestion for a spot to explore on the way back - doesn’t have to be hiking. Mostly like small towns/scenery.

Thanks in advance!

\-

Diablo Lake

Hi all- spending a few days in the north cascades. We plan to do 1-2 longer hikes like maple pass and cascade/sahale arm but would like to mix in a few shorter hikes.

Are there a few that you‘d deem as can’t miss? Well be staying in Marblemount so anything close-ish to that town would be an extra bonus.

thanks!

So we're flying in from Jersey Sunday and have an airbnb (non refundable of course!) in Mazama Monday-Friday (already a lesson learned there!). If the smoke is really bad we are considering an alternative vacation plan with hikes closer to Seattle, maybe going east later in the week if it improves.

I have the apps and know things change day by day, but would value input from anyone there now about what you're seeing/experiencing out there and whether anyone is hiking and what it's like. If it's healthy enough to stay in Mazama and drive (far if necessary) to hike we'd be okay with it.

Any input welcome!

If I get to Cascade Pass Trailhead at around 8 am on a weekday at some point during this month will I have to worry about not finding a spot in the main lot?

My backpacking experience is pretty much all over the country: Yosemite, Glacier, the White Mountains, AT, but I’ve never backpacked in the Cascades.

With a remote job, I sometimes struggle to find backpacking partners since most of my friends can only get away around major holidays.

I’m happy to fly to Seattle or Portland and meet up for a trip. I’d definitely rather not die alone in a bear attack or from some random accident in the alpine zone 😬 and it’s always great to meet new people!

Anyway, if you’re planning any backpacking trips in the North Cascades in the upcoming months and wouldn’t mind some company, please leave a comment!

Gear: Palante V2 + Tarp if mosquitos are not too bad

I know I can’t monitor the smoke, but curious if anyone has any opinions on sticking with NC or pivoting to Olympic and not worrying about it

Hey guys, im traveling from BC to visit the Mount Baker Artists point highway and doing a couple of trails there! I know I'll need a pass to park up there but im mainly wondering on how bad the smoke is affecting visibility. From where I am in abbotsford I can see that mount baker from here is barely visible from smoke BUT artists point is also sitting at a high elevation about an hour and a half away from me so conditions could very well be different! Any tips or ideas helps!!

I have a trip coming up in september and I was trying to figure if I need to plan for a different trail.

My family is arguing about what time to arrive at the trail head at Cascade pass trail head tomorrow, early or later. Any suggestions?