northern cascades?

“I was going to go to a conference in Aspen and explore the Maroon Bells / Snowmass Wilderness for a few days, but now I'm contemplating a week in the Northern Cascades.

Anyone spend much time in the Northern Cascades and if so, any recommendations to research in regards to 70-90 miles of hiking.

My other option os join the Sierra group (am I still welcome Oldog?)”

“what kind of hiking do you want to do in the north crashcades? On trails, or more of a mountaineering trip? There may not be 90 miles of trails in the NC. Some trails I can think of include:

Buck Creek Pass to Stehekin or to Holden Village.

Holden Village to Darrington, to Lyman Lake, over Suiattle pass, to Image Lake, and out to Darrington, about a 5 day trip.

Hike along the shore of Lake Chelan to Stehekin, take the boat out to Chelan. Get dropped off at Prince creek, hike about 35 miles to Stehekin.

Holden Village to Stehekin: from Holden village, to the PCT, on the PCT till it joins the trail from Cascade pass, and on that tril till you can catch a bus ride to Stehekin.

For the no trails option, its the Ptarmigan Traverse or a traverse of the Picket Range, or climb Glacier Peak, Mt. Challenger, Mt. Terror, Fury, Formidable, El Dorado, or other scary peaks.

Ptarmigan trip report and pictures here: http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2006/02/the_ptarmigan_t.html

More Ptarmigan pics here: http://patentpending.blogs.com/photos/ptarmigan_traverse_1972/index.html

Picture below, on Challenger Arm, looking across the valley at Mt. Fury or Terror, I forget which. The North Cascades don't have any place names like Mary's Grassy Knoll, or Bills Hill.
”

“There's a terrific 43-mile loop trip in North Cascades National Park, starting at the TH to Hannegan Pass (near Mt. Baker) along Copper Ridge, dropping to the Chilliwack River and loop back. There's a nice side trip to Whatcom Pass with a jaw-dropping view to Mt. Challenger and down Big Beaver Creek valley. Exiting via Big Beaver Creek and down to Ross Lake is another possibility.


Hannegan Pass in foreground, Mt. Shuksan in background


Copper Ridge


Mt. Redoubt


Whatcom Peak


Mt. Challenger from Whatcom Pass


Cable car across the Chilliwack River”

“I've been in North Cascades NP from Chelan and Glacier Peaks (Spider Meadow) from Leavenworth. We had a group that likes to basecamp and explore, so did not do your mileage, but the trips are definitely there. I loved both spots.”

“the laidies are bummed that you were not going , so come with us
tne North Cascades look NICE also

Idaho ,check out my Sawtooth trip,new info”

“oldog, would you give that thread a bump? I can't find it.”

“Okay.. what are the dates of your trip again. Also, can you forward me the info (or have Theresa do that).

I really want to go to Aspen, but the cost of the flight, conference and rental car will be over 2K. I'm just weighing my options.

Rob”

“No problem.”

“Nice pics of Shuksan. I've never done that peak and I'd better do it while I still can. Its a long drive from Idaho, however.”

“Here is Prince Creek flowing into Lake Chelan, one possible hike in the NC. You get dropped off at Prince Creek then hike along the lake shore to Stehekin. Since its fairly low elevation, its a good early season hike, and no elevation gain.


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