[Bird sounds]
[Owl hooting. Insects’ shrill call]
MASYIH: So, it’s a family tradition to go camping at one of the National Parks every summer.
Those are some of probably the best memories I have with my family.
We’d go there and either fish or hike or camp, and that’s kind of when I got hooked on the wilderness areas.
[Marmots whistling. Birds chirping]
Something that makes the North Cascades really awesome is that it’s 99% wilderness…
and there are over 394 miles of just hiking trails that you can go on.
And it’s just awesome knowing that I have this seemingly endless expanse of wilderness area…
that I’m able to go out and explore.
I’ve only done probably 100 miles of those trails.
[Woodpecker drilling. Birds chirping]
Whenever I am planning a backcountry trip, I really like to find a spot that’s near the water.
[Water rushing]
That falling water has kind of a therapeutic value.
[Water rushing]
One of my favorite areas in the park is the Cascade Pass and Sahale area.
From the trailhead you get to see beautiful hanging glaciers.
[Booming crash]
And then you get to Cascade Pass you’re looking at these beautiful mountain peaks…
still covered in snow, and then a glacier nestled in between those mountain peaks.
[Birds chirping. Insects buzzing. Footsteps.]
And once you get to the top, you see a seemingly endless vast expanse of just peaks.
[Hawk crying. Birds chirping. Insects buzzing.]
It’s an exhilarating feeling because you never know if you’re going to be followed by a deer…
if you're going to see a mountain lion, or if a bear is going to be right on the trails.
Like, I’ve seen 22 bears here.
One thing that’s really cool about wilderness is that animals are able to be animals and do animal things…
and raise their young, and just be wild and free —which is what they are supposed to be able to do.
[Pika squeaking. Marmots whistling. Birds chirping]
My name is Masyih Ford. I’m from Seattle, Washington. I’m a senior at Western Washington University.
And during the summers I’m a park ranger at the North Cascades.
On my days off I like to go out and explore this awesome place.
[Birds chirping. Water rushing. Marmots whistling]
The North Cascades wilderness is special to me because I’m able to step in there, drop everything at the door…
and then come back refreshed.
[Water rushing. Owl hooting. Birds chirping]
I’m connected to these mountains. And it’s just kind of a—it’s a really awesome feeling.
[Owl hooting. Insects’ shrill call]