The Best Fall Hikes in North Cascades National Park
Trip dates: October 15, 2023 – October 17, 2023
Cutthroat Lake - Photos were taken on my Fujifilm XT-5 using the Kodak Ultramax 400 recipe and my DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone
North Cascades National Park is easily the most underrated of Washington’s three national parks. While Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks each draw millions of visitors annually, North Cascades saw only around 16,485 in 2024. Its remote location plays a big role in those low numbers, but limited lodging, fewer campgrounds, and minimal infrastructure also contribute. In the winter, most visitor centers and key roads shut down and don’t reopen until late spring or early summer.
Blue Lake
While North Cascades National Park may be the least visited of Washington’s national parks, don’t let that fool you, it’s every bit as breathtaking, if not more so. The park is a haven of alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, jagged peaks, ancient glaciers, and thick evergreen forests. Reaching most of these natural wonders takes a bit of hiking, but every step is well worth it.
I had been saving this trip for fall, hoping to catch the golden larches and vibrant autumn colors at their peak. So, in early October, my brother and I set off for a weekend adventure in the North Cascades. During our visit, we hiked to and explored Cutthroat Lake, Lake Ann, Rainy Lake, Diablo Lake, and Blue Lake, each one offering its own stunning display of fall beauty.
Lake Ann
Cutthroat Lake
Hike Length: 3.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Cutthroat Lake rests in a rocky basin tucked beneath Hinkhouse and Cutthroat Peaks. Despite being surrounded by steep, rugged terrain, the trail to the lake is surprisingly easy. I was blown away by the golden hues scattered throughout the landscape. A layer of fog hung low over the lake, making the fall colors pop even more dramatically.
One of the first things we noticed when we arrived was someone peacefully fishing from a small inflatable raft. Inspired, my brother pulled out his own fishing pole and cast a few lines, managing to catch a couple of tiny fish.
Lake Ann
Fishing at Lake Ann, but there were no bites this time
Hike Length: 3.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
The trail to Lake Ann shares the same starting path as the popular 7.2-mile Maple Pass Loop. If you're short on time, not quite up for a 7.2-mile hike with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, or just want a scenic trail that ends at a stunning alpine lake, Lake Ann is a perfect option. It’s a great standalone destination, but if you’re already tackling the Maple Pass Loop, it’s well worth making a quick detour, adding only about a mile to your journey for some truly rewarding views.
Rainy Lake
Hike Length: 2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: Less than 100 feet
Rainy Lake is accessed from the same parking lot as the trailhead for Maple Pass Loop and Lake Ann. The path is short, paved, and fully wheelchair accessible, making it one of the more inclusive trails in the park. When we arrived at the lake, a light rain was falling and fog drifted over the water, fittingly true to its name and adding a peaceful, moody vibe to the scene.
Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake is arguably the most iconic landmark in North Cascades National Park and one of the best-known lakes in all of Washington. While there are several hiking trails around the lake, we opted to take the scenic drive along North Cascades Highway to Diablo Dam. The highway offers multiple pullouts with incredible views from different angles, and we made sure to stop at a few along the way.
Our first stop was the bridge near Colonial Creek South Campground, and it completely took my breath away. A massive, fog-shrouded peak (possibly Snowfield Peak) loomed in the background, rising above the bridge that spans Diablo Lake. The entire scene looked like something straight out of a fairytale.
From there, we continued on to Diablo Dam and crossed the narrow one-lane road that runs across the top. It’s a short but memorable drive that ends at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, with a handful of trailheads sprinkled along the way.
Blue Lake
Hike Length: 4.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,050 feet
The hike to Blue Lake ended up being my favorite of the trip, thanks to an unexpected surprise, snow! As we drove up toward the trailhead, we noticed a light dusting of fresh snow on the road. The higher we climbed into the mountains, the more snow-covered everything became. When we reached the trailhead, we were relieved to find that the snow wasn’t too deep and the sun was shining, so we decided to go for it, despite not being dressed for winter conditions.
The combination of fresh, powdery snow and vibrant fall colors made the entire hike feel straight out of a fairytale. It was like stepping into Narnia. Every step revealed something more magical than the last, and I couldn’t stop smiling to myself the entire hike. It was a surreal experience to see snow-covered larches, Liberty Bell Mountain dusted in white, and golden sunlight streaming through a winter wonderland forest.
Note for the reader: I share these locations so that others can see beautiful places and enjoy nature as much as I do. Please be respectful of the outdoors and what condition it is in when you visit. Don’t go off trail, leave no trace, and pack out what you came in with.
