North Cascades Challenger

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Travel the North Cascades Scenic Highway (SR 20), along the Skagit Wild and Scenic River Corridor, into the heart of the Cascade Mountains.

Mile Post
82	Baker Lake and Mt. Baker National Recreation Area Follow Baker Lake Road #11 for access to water sports, hiking and campgrounds. After entering the National Forest, Roads 12 and 13 lead to the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area for winter sports and hiking on the south side of Mt. Baker.
96	Rockport Two parks, Rockport State Park and Howard Miller Steelhead County Park, offer camping. State Route 530 goes south along the Sauk River, a part of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System, and accesses roads to the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Forest Roads 1030 and 1036 provide access to Sauk Mt. Trail.
105 106	Marblemount This is the last stop for full services and gas before Winthrop. National Park backcountry permits are issued at the Wilderness Information Center one mile (1.6 km) north of SR 20 on Ranger Station Road. The Cascade River Road junction with SR 20 at the east end of town leads through the National Forest to Cascade Pass Trailhead.
111	Enter the Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Mile Post
120	Newhalem Across the Skagit is the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center with several short trails including To Know a Tree, Rock Shelter and River Loop Trails. Seattle City Light runs an Information and Tour Center with facilities, walking tours, and trails including Trail of the Cedars and Ladder Creek Falls. The Newhalem Creek and Goodell Creek Campgrounds offer tent, RV and group campsites.
123	Gorge Overlook and Gorge Creek Falls Rest stop and accessible loop trail offering views of the gorge and dam.
127.5	Diablo Dam Steep turn to cross the dam (no trailers or large vehicles allowed). Access to Ross Lake Resort parking, North Cascades Environmental Learning Center and Diablo Lake Trail.
130	Colonial Creek Campground Located on Diablo Lake, the campground has camp hosts and offers naturalist programs in the summer, an accessible picnic area and fishing platform. Thunder Creek, Thunder Woods and Thunder Knob Trails leave from the campground and go through diverse forests to scenic views.
131	Diablo Lake Overlook Viewpoint has a variety of vistas, restrooms, a map and detailed geology exhibits..

Mile Post
134	Ross Dam Trailhead The Ross Dam Trailhead and Happy-Panther Trail are accessed from this area, as well as the Ross Lake Resort. Call: (206) 386-4437.
136	Ross Lake Overlook View Ross Lake and mountains and walk the Happy Creek accessible trail.
138	East Bank Trailhead Panther Creek, East Bank and Ruby Creek converge near here. A new option is to follow the Happy-Panther Trail west from here.
158	Rainy Pass Picnic Area One-mile (1.6 km) accessible trail leads to Rainy Lake waterfall and glacier views. Longer hikes go to Lake Ann (2 mi, 3.2 km) or around Maple Pass Loop (7.5 mi, 12 km.) Typically not snow-free until late July.
162	Washington Pass Highest point along the highway, enjoy views of Liberty Bell and Early Winters Spires.
180	Upper Methow Valley Mazama turnoff to Hart's Pass (22 mi, 35.4 km) unpaved; Methow Valley Visitor Center just west of Winthrop: (509) 996-4000.

Fishing Platform at Diable Lake in Colonial Creek Campground

Car Camping in the North Cascades

Many public campgrounds in the North Cascades are accessible by car. Most sites are available on a first come first served basis.

Reservations can be made 3 -240 days in advance for many federal campgrounds by calling: (877) 444-6777, or on-line at: www.reserveusa.com.

North Cascades National Park offers group and some individual camping reservations. Reservable group camps in the park are located at Goodell and Newhalem Creeks.

Washington State Parks reserves some sites by calling: (888) 226-7688, or online at: www.parks.wa.gov

Location	Campground	Managed by	Number of Campsites
SR 542	Douglas Fir +	FS	30
	Excelsior Group ++	FS	2
	Silver Fir +	FS	21

Baker Lake Road MP. 14 - MP. 23	Kulshan	P	108*
	Horseshoe Cove +	FS	34
	Bayview Group ++	FS	2
	Panorama Point +	FS	16
	Boulder Creek +	FS	10
	Park Creek +	FS	12
	Baker Lake Resort +	P	90*
	Shannon Creek +	FS	20

SR 20 MP. 81 - MP. 180	Rasar State Park+	SP	38*
	Rockport State Park	SP	62*
	Steelhead Park +	CP	59*
	Goodell Creek+	NP	21
	Newhalem Creek +	NP	111
	Colonial Creek	NP	162
	Lone Fir	FS	27
	Klipchuck	FS	46
	Early Winters	FS	13

Cascade River Road	Marble Creek +	FS	24
Cascade River Road	Mineral Park +	FS	8

Via B.C.	Hozomeen	NP	122

Camping Legend:
FS = Forest Service
SP = Washington State Park
P   = Puget Sound Energy
NP = National Park Service
CP = County Park
*   = Hook-ups Available
+   = Reservations Available
++ = Reservations Required

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http://www.nps.gov/noca/challenger/ch8-9.htm
Date: 1-May-2006