The North Cascades National Park turns 50 this year and to celebrate here is some info on a little known corner of the park.

To read the story of how the park got created, check out Lauren Danner’s new book: Crown Jewel Wilderness.

North Fork Meadows, North Cascades National Park

North Fork Meadows, North Cascades National Park is one of least visited yet most scenic trails in the park.

As one may suspect, this is due to accessibility. The North Fork Bridge Creek Trail starts at a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (aka Bridge Creek Trail). There is a nice camp at the junction. The trail is one way, meaning that it dead ends at the upper end of the North Fork Bridge Creek, at the base of Mt Logan.

You can hike south on the PCT from Highway 20 to get here, its about 10 miles. Or you could boat into Stehekin, take the bus to Bridge Creek and hike 7 miles to arrive at the trail junction from the south.

The trail is not long, from the junction with the PCT the North Fork Trail is 7 miles and 1,600 feet of gain. There are two camp sites along the way, Walker Park and Grizzly Creek.  The trail can be a little brushy. Crossing Grizzly Creek is also a lot of fun. There are hordes of little biting flies.

Really, its time to go back, this is a bad idea.

Above Grizzly Creek you come out into the open with some nice views.

Goode Mountain is the highest peak in the North Cascades National Park.

The route follows a creek bed, then into thick brush where you can meet other travelers. Here and there you catch a glimpse of the creek roaring along side.

At last you pop out into North Fork Meadows. Holy shit, what a sight!

The trail ends here, at the toe of this waterfall.

The morning light was wonderful.

The nearest peak here is Storm King.

Another view of the valleys head. In the basin just above once was Many Waterfalls Camp, but both camp and trail to it are overgrown.

North Cascades Photo Tours are available, both Drive-In and Hike-In Photo Tours. Lots more info here.

Night Sky Photo Tours are also available! The most fun ever!

This is the THIRD article in a series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the North Cascades National Park. Here is the first installment.