Tag Archives: north cascades

Hannegan Peak Few hikes in the North Cascades offer a better, more intimate view of Mt. Shuksan than the hike to Hannegan Peak. The trek up the Ruth Creek Valley is beautiful in its own right, a tonic for the winter-weary soul. After a brief, rigorous climb to Hannegan Pass, turn left on the trail to the peak, then hike …

For nearly half my life, the Cascade Mountains have shaped how I see the world. Mount Baker, in particular, called to me the first time I hiked its flanks in 2002. I knew then I needed to live here. That instinct became a life. For 24 years, this region has been both home and muse, offering endless variations of light, …

The sojourn to Huntoon Point is a study in contrasts – it starts amidst the hustle and bustle of the Mt. Baker Ski Area and ends in the serene silence of Kulshan Ridge, where the icy winds blowing off the glaciers will cleanse your soul. If there’s a snowshoe trip with more scenic bang for the buck in the North …

Winter has always been one of my favorite seasons. While some fly south to relax on warm sandy beaches, I love heading out into the cold, quiet stillness after a fresh fall of snow; experiencing the sting of snow in a winter storm is an invigorating experience. Discovering nature’s new creations, which often take the form of abstract art, is …

Windy Pass The hike to Windy Pass is one of the most user-friendly hikes in the North Cascades. Suitable as a day hike or (better still) backpack, this stretch of the PCT literally glides along an open ridge with splendid views, starting right at the trailhead. In fact, the Windy Pass Trailhead is the highest automobile-accessible trailhead in Washington. Round-trip …

A year after my dad died, I embarked on a hike into the mountains. My father, James Michael “Jim” Johnston, had asked to have some of his ashes spread at his favorite place, Lake 22, a lake high on the east flank of Mount Pilchuck in the northern Cascades of Washington State. To my dad, it was a very special …

As the sun set over the mountains south of Mt. Adams, I experienced a quiet, golden moment that sparked a creative awakening. Surrounded by soft light and vivid alpenglow, I realized that a picture on a phone couldn’t capture the beauty before me. That moment marked the beginning of a more profound passion for photography, moving from spontaneous snapshots to …

Table Mountain The trail that climbs to the top of Table Mountain from the bustling parking lot at Artist Point is a dream come true for hikers who have only a few hours to commune with the Mountain Gods. The climb—zig-zagging up the cliff—is steep and somewhat exposed in places, but it’s only a half mile  (600’ of elevation gain), …

Spring is timeless in the North Cascades. Where does it begin, and when does it end? Does it rise with the wildflowers on the eastern slopes and tumble with the last trickle of melted snow? Does that mean spring never arrives on the summit glaciers and never fades in the lupine fields? Is it the heat of the sun, the …

The rain falls for two days and nights, drifting through the trees, chilled by the breath of oncoming winter. Here at the Klipchuck Campground in the Methow Valley at the tail end of September, Jesse, Al, and I are waiting for the weather to turn so we can head up into the mountains. The rain falling here is likely falling …