Fifty years ago, on October 2, 1967, the North Cascades National Park was created.
From the first time I laid eyes on a map of the North Cascades I was captivated. The names of the peaks drew me in; Mt. Terror, Desolation Peak, Mount Fury. And then I saw a few pictures. The North Cascades looked like I thought mountains should look: deep dark forests, lush with life; sharp serrated peaks, ridge, after ridge, stretching to the horizon, donned with glaciers, spouting myriad waterfalls glistening in the sun….
My first visit was a mostly cloudy one. I hiked over Park Creek Pass from Stehekin. There were a few glimmers through the clouds of the majesty beyond.
It would be many years before I returned and tried again.
And I was able to confirm that indeed the North Cascades were everything I had dreamed of.
Lush forests and waterfalls
Mount Logan, North Cascades National Park
Mount Shuksan from Skyline Divide
The North Cascades have not lost the feeling of wildness. For that I am grateful!
Happy Birthday, and Thank you, North Cascades National Park!
Happy 50th Birthday, North Cascades National Park Fifty years ago, on October 2, 1967, the North Cascades National Park was created. Happy Birthday!
