Horseshoe Basin, North Cascades National Park

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Horseshoe Basin is one of those magical places that once you visit you will never, ever forget. Nestled on the east side of Cascade Pass it is less visited than Sahale Arm but certainly no less beautiful.

Last summer I visited the basin twice, first while headed east to Stehekin, to get some pastry, and again on the way back…

Approaching from the east one crosses Basin Creek on a small wooden bridge that is probably flown in when the snow melts…a cairn marks the crossing.
Cairn at Basin Creek Crossing

Looking up the valley one gets a hint of whats to come.
The too-numerous-to-count waterfalls stream down from the glaciers, glistening in the sun. The bowl of the basin forms a 180 degree mouth punctuated with sharp granite teeth. Blue, green, red and white, the colors are astounding.
Horseshoe Basin, North Cascades National Park

The western turn of the bowl is punctuated by Sahale Mountain and Boston Peak, standing guard.
Horseshoe Basin, Close up of Boston Peak and Sahale Mountain

These images are from August, probably the best month to go. You can find all you need to make a visit here, at the North Cascades National Park page…

Happy Trails!

Amphitheater Mountain from Upper Cathedral Lake

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amphitheater mountain from upper cathedral lake and sunset2em
Amphitheater Mountain from Upper Cathedral Lake, Pasayten Wilderness, on the Pacific Northwest Trail

Skagit Sunset

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Last Friday the sun popped out in the late afternoon with a glorious tone. I was able to capture some small part of the mud and sun and colors here…sunset 4
Skagit Sunset, 1/25/2013

On the Pacific Crest Trail in the Pasayten Wilderness

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Heading north on the Pacific Crest Trail from Slate Peak the trail slowly looses altitude on its way down to Holman Pass.
Wildflowers on the Pacific Crest Trail at Jim Pass in the Pasayten Wilderness
Sunset at Jim Pass
Here is a junction with the western option heading towards Devils Dome and trail to the east down to the Pasayten River. Continuing north the trail gains all the altitude you just lost, popping out of the forest into the splendid meadows just below Goat Lakes.
There is a dependable spring here and camping in the meadows is spectacular.
Parade Ground Panorama
Meadows just below tiny Goat Lakes
Continuing the trail makes a sweeping arc as it climbs to Rock Pass. Powder Mountain.
Wildflowers on the PCT sky
Powder Mountain
Wildflowers and Powder Mountain
The view from Rock Pass is unsurpassed.
Rock Pass Panorama
Rock Pass Panorama
Dropping down several switchbacks the trail traverses the north-facing slopes on its way to Woody Pass. here the snow lingers late into the season.
Ascending Rock Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail
After climbing again to the notch of Woody Pass the trail now swings to the western side of the Cascade Crest in its way to the highest point of the trail on this section at Lakeview Ridge.
Rock Pass
Rock Pass, seen from Woody Pass
The views, the flowers, from the ridge are impossible to beat. snow abounds until mid or late August and camping here is incredible.
Flowers on Lakeview Ridge
Atop Lakeview Ridge
Three Fools Peak and wildflowers rev
Three Fools Peak
Its a 25 mile hike here from the parking area at Slate Peak, one of the very best out and back trips in the North Cascades.
wildflowers at sunset