North Cascades: Glaciers & Alpine Lakes

This trip is a wonderful mix, and your effort level is largely up to you. Most of our hikes are moderate and very doable for a regular hiker — Maple Pass, Blue Lake, Thunder Knob, and the cedar walk are all beautiful without being brutal. The one big, challenging hike is Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm, and it comes with a choice: turn around at Cascade Pass for a stunning (and more moderate) day, or push on up the Sahale Arm for a longer, steeper climb toward the glaciers — up to about 11.6 miles and nearly 4,000 feet if you go all the way. You decide how far to go, and we'll support you either way.

The North Cascades pack a lot into one week: soft old-growth forest trails, a wildflower-lined ridge loop, turquoise-lake overlooks, and a big alpine climb toward glaciers and marmot meadows. Early July means lingering snow can still dust the highest stretches (especially the upper Sahale Arm), so we'll come prepared and adjust to conditions. And on our rafting day, the only climbing you'll do is back into the raft after a good splash!

Your first and last nights are spent at the same comfortable hotel near the Seattle airport (the Hampton Inn), with your own bed and time to settle in. Your final night's stay is included in your trip.

For the heart of the trip, we glamp at Newhalem Campground, tucked into the old-growth forest right along the Skagit River in the heart of the park. You'll share a large, walk-in tent (two women per tent) outfitted with cots, sleeping mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, a rug underfoot, and a shared nightstand with a lantern — and you'll always have your own bed. Flushing toilets are available.

A note on weather: these are the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, so pack for anything — warm layers and a good rain jacket are a must, even in July. We'll keep camp cozy and comfortable no matter what the sky does.

Fly into Seattle and settle in at our hotel. This evening, meet Michele in the lobby for a welcome dinner, where you'll meet your fellow adventurers and we'll walk through the exciting week ahead. (Dinner included.)

After breakfast, we'll drive up into the mountains along the gorgeous North Cascades Highway and set up our basecamp along the river. To ease in, we'll take a gentle walk through the Trail of the Cedars, an old-growth grove of towering, thousand-year-old trees, and stop at the Diablo Lake overlook to take in that unreal turquoise water. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

Today we hike one of the most beautiful trails in Washington: the Maple Pass Loop (6.8 miles, 2,168 ft). We'll climb through wildflower meadows to a high ridgeline with jaw-dropping views of alpine lakes and endless peaks in every direction — a true walk in the sky. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

Time to play! This morning we'll hit the Skagit River for a guided whitewater rafting trip — splashy, exhilarating, and so much fun. In the afternoon, we'll stretch our legs on the easy Thunder Knob Trail (3.3 miles) for a postcard view out over turquoise Diablo Lake. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

Our signature hike, and a stunner. We'll climb the switchbacks to Cascade Pass, surrounded by hanging glaciers and waterfalls — and from there, you choose your adventure: soak it all in at the pass, or push on up the Sahale Arm toward the glacier, where marmots whistle and the whole range spreads out beneath you (up to 11.6 miles and 3,966 ft if you go all the way). Either way, it's a day you'll never forget. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

A gentler, gorgeous finale to our hiking. We'll walk to Blue Lake (4.6 miles, 921 ft), a jewel of an alpine lake sitting beneath the dramatic granite spires of Liberty Bell and the Early Winters Spires. There's time in the afternoon to relax, wander, and soak in our last evening in the mountains. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)

On our final morning, we'll have breakfast, break camp, and begin the drive back to Seattle, stopping for lunch along the way. We'll arrive back at our hotel for your final, included night. (Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own tonight — go toast to an incredible week!)

Planning your flights home: Your final night's hotel is included, so most guests fly out on Saturday. If you'd rather head home Friday evening, just be sure to book your flight for after 5:00 PM so we have time to make the drive back.