Climbing Conditions

Steep and snowy mountains and ridges with a large broken glacier
North Cascades National Park offers a lifetime of mountaineering objectives.

Winnie Hsieh

 

August 2026

With multiple wildfires burning in the park and across the Pacific Northwest, air quality in the region has been hazardous during the first week of August. Use online resources, such as PurpleAir, to monitor the current Air Quality Index (AQI). Check weather forecasts for wind direction, air quality alerts, and heat advisories. This is likely to be a long fire season for the Pacific Northwest. Consider your exposure time to hazardous air quality if you choose to recreate outdoors. Rescue responses may be delayed due to low visibility that limits air resources, as well as concerns for ground teams operating in hazardous air conditions.

Pay close attention to current closures – Luna, Prophet, and Sourdough Cross-Country Zones are closed, along with other trail, camp, and area closures. For a detailed list, please visit the fire closures page.

The Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount is open seven days a week and is the only location that issues backcountry permits for your climbing trips (the Glacier Public Service Center only issues permits for Fishers Chimney route and trips starting from Hannegan Pass). Please visit the backcountry permit page and other helpful links below to plan your trip prior to your visit.

 
 

Current and General Climbing Conditions

Climbing conditions are reported by climbing rangers, and updated as frequently as possible.

Last updated: August 11, 2026

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Phone:

360 854-7200

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