More commonly called "South Early Winters Spire" or if you're super-kewl "SEWS", this is a granite…read moremonolith right next to Liberty Bell. It also contains numerous lines, starting at 5.4 and going up from there. I climbed the 5.4 line. It was fun if a bit uninspired. I enjoyed the Beckey route on Liberty Bell More.

If you've driven through North Cascades NP and into Mazama on the other side, I guarantee you've…read moreseen Liberty Bell. It's a massive granite monolith rising above the highway. It has classic moderate and classic "nope" routes on it. I climbed the Becky route. It's a super-chill multi-pitch climb with great rock quality. Liberty Crack is the "50 classic" climb. Too stiff for my blood, maybe someday...

Beautiful park - Please note that there are several closures as of 4/4/26 but still lots of hiking…read moreoptions before the closure! Lakes are stunning!

Amazing, breathtaking, incredible - words cannot describe the beauty of the PNW…read more How lucky are we that we get to live in a world with such wonders? Pictures are from the Maple Pass Loop during larch season :)

The West Ridge of Forbidden is one of the 50 classic climbs in North America…read more It sees a lot of traffic, and for good reason. (despite this, the trail out can get pretty damn thin and crappy for long stretches of time, not sure how that can be) It's a long ridge climb with solid moves and abundant pro. It reminds me more of something you'd find in the Bugaboos. Permits for the area can be...tough though. North Cascades NP is becoming more and more regulated every year...

I've taken multiple courses through Guided Exposure over the last couple of years, including AIARE…read more1 and 2 and AIARE Rescue Course, and have been thoroughly impressed with the depth of knowledge and quality of learning experiences. Jere, Jess and recently Katie, are professional, welcoming and exceptionally skilled in avalanche training and rescue. Class sizes are intentionally small for meaningful one on one instruction, and usually two instructors are involved for even more individualized guidance and support. Guided Exposure strongly encourages avalanche education, emphasizes back country safety and offers a wide range of courses to meet learners at every level. Additionally, guided services are offered, locally and abroad. Jere is well traveled and has experience guiding in numerous places. The website has a list of future trips while stopping by the office offers even more trip options and hype! I'll continue using Guided Exposure for continuing education and trips. It's hard to beat the camaraderie, expertise and skill-based learning offered here.

From the owner: Guided Exposure is a year-round mountain guiding service based in the Cascadian village of Glacier,…read moreWA. At the foot of the volcano, Kulshan/Mt Baker, we lead AIARE Avalanche Courses, ski, splitboard, rock climbing, and alpine climbing courses and trips. We hone our craft in the snowiest glaciated peaks of the North Cascades to provide unparalleled mountain experiences in Japan, Canada, Alaska and throughout the world.

It has been about two days since I did this hike and my legs/random parts of my body is still super…read moresore.....If you're a beginner/average hiker like me (aka, hike once in a while), just note that this is a pretty tough hike, despite the short round trip mileage (approx. 5.4miles total). Overall hike difficulty rating: Intermediate Recommendations: 1. Make sure to have the NW Forest Pass when parking 2. Hiking boots highly recommended! 2/3 of the trail is super rocky and if you choose to climb the risky rocks at the end, traction on your shoes = important. 3. Due to the steepness / slopes of the rocks, I do suggest wearing capri/longer shorts for the ladies, if you choose to do some butt sliding down the rocks. 4. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and buggies. 5. Make sure you have enough battery life to take pictures of the magnificent views :) 6. Bring sunscreen + bug spray! ~ Hiking Experience: The drive to Mt Pilchuck = rough. As you pass the Heather Lake trailhead, the unpaved road gets super rough with the gravel and potholes. For regular/small cars, this road is doable for driving, but make sure to take it slow. Upon arrival at around 830ish (am), the parking lot was more than half full. Came here with a group of 10 and overall, we made it! We aren't super regular hikers, so this trail definitely had all of us working our entire body out. Beginning of the trail = as you leave the dirt path, you will notice the trail getting rockier with each step. Steepness of the trail wasn't too bad, especially with the various switchbacks in between. As you hit the bigger rocks along the trail (midway through), it gets a bit harder since you may have to use your hands at some points to help balance and such. Finally, when you get to the lookout tower, this is where your bouldering/rock climbing skills will be tested. There is no "flat" way to get the tower. You will have to use your body, hands, arms, and legs, as you climb up the rocks. After you scale the rocks, there is a ladder for you to climb on for the tower. Views from the tower = Beautiful. On a super clear sunny day, you will see the various mountain points. Areas to explore: For the adventurous people - I do recommend getting out on the rocks near the tower and do some mini explorations. You'll get awesome views, neat pictures and it's fun. Just be super careful since one wrong step can send you over the edge. When you're done with the tower, the hike down = tedious. For me, I had a few slides down the rocks (despite hiking boots on), so just remember to take it easy and slow. Bugs definitely were more apparent in the afternoon so keep moving if you don't want the bites. =] Love this hike and would definitely recommend it for everyone who likes a challenge.

This is a tough hike, temp in the mid 70s. First off, the drive to the trailhead is very bad, at…read moreconstant risk of parting was with your oil pan..the pot holes are deep. Drive slow and careful. I took my bordercollie on this climb, we are both avid runners, and in good shape, but this climb was tough! It is a 3 mile climb to the lookout, and the first mile or so it was fairly strait forward, shaded, beautiful, and doable. As you climb higher, you break into the scree which crescendos into climbing on, over and around some pretty hefty boulders, I wore Hoka trail shoes , and fell twice, sliding down, rock. Sometimes the trail is barely discernable, and limited visibility conditions such as nighttime or poor weather, I can see where one could easily get off track. There were a couple of streams, where there is water access for my dog..but take EXTRA water, as you'll need it. A few times I had to physically hoist my collie up some rock, by her harnesss. We could only make it to the base of the lookout as it was to difficult to get my dog up the short distance into the lookout, and I wished I had a dog sitter in order for me to go into the lookout. That being said, despite the hard work, the view, beauty, challenge and tranquility were amazing. Enjoy, pack your 10 essentials, plenty of water and make sure your dog is of the forgiving ilk.

This is the lowest and most remote volcano in Washington. I've been up this mountain three times…read moreand love it so I'm reviewing, even though the last time up was 2020. This hike is beautiful, and I suggest taking your time, and staying two nights on the way in, and one night on the way out simply to enjoy the surroundings. Plus, it's nearly a 33 mile round trip. Take the North Fork Sauk Trail to the PCT. First 5 miles are nice and easy, then a couple of miles of seemingly endless switch backs. A short bit on the PCT and a nice camping spot to the right. Second Day is a very nice hike into the mountain and to the high camp. Third morning is the summit approach. The trail is obvious. Depending on the time of the year, you may need to rope up as it can be quite crevassed in the later summer. Definitely recommend ice axe and crampons. We walked out and peered into some deep wide crevasses, anchoring our selves with rope. This is one of my favorite climbs because it's really not hard, just long on the way in. Very beautiful but weather can change very fast and on one summit it turned to a thunder storm. Still, if you like to hike and climb, this one is a must. Bear canisters recommended, though I've never seen a bear here. No permit required, just Northwest Forest Pass for parking. Go do it!

Glacier Peak is notorious mainly for how remote it is. Many people in Seattle have probably seen…read moreit on a clear day, and either not known it's name or mislabeled it something else. It has one of the longest approaches of any major peak in the NW (along with Mt Olympus). But, man, it's a gorgeous hike in! Terrain is continually changing. In the forest, in alpine meadows, over rock, on glaciers, at the summit! Lots of gorgeous places to put a tent on the way in, I'd be worth going to even if you're not going to summit.

I have been working with Bree privately (a luxury but well worth it) and I have been so impressed…read morewith her gentle yet challenging way of sharing her expertise. With my shoulder injury, I was concerned about getting back into yoga. I shouldn't have been, as Bree has taught me new ways to avoid the pain and build my stamina/body knowledge. The studio is spare but welcoming, with cork floors and lots of yoga tools - like blocks and blankets - that make practicing there a joy. I couldn't be happier with Motive and I am excited to develop my practice with their staff.

I am so impressed with Bree's studio! I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by the idea…read moreof doing a small group or private class since I don't consider myself a yoga regular. I took my first small group class with Tess and was so impressed! Tess asked about what I was looking for in the class and if I had any injuries that needed attention. She led a thoughtful and empowering class and had great energy! She seemed to intuitively match her instruction to the needs of the class - I felt challenged but also felt that my ability level was respected. This class showed me how valuable it is to have a small class size and lots of interaction with the teacher. The studio itself is easy to find and is clean, welcoming, and has a nice view out the window of the trees and canal. I can't wait to go back for another class!

There is really no such thing as Lake Ann Trail from my POV. There is a pathway that leads to Lake…read moreAnn, but if your sole intention is hiking to Lake Ann, you're doing yourself a disservice. Lake Ann is mediocre. It's an average looking lake with no redeeming qualities. Let me explain what the trail to Lake Ann is really about... It's part of the much bigger MAPLE PASS TRAIL. Yes, Maple Pass is what you want!!! It's a showstopper! All Lake Ann offers is a little side-trek walk to an alpine bowl shoreline. But Maple Pass is an outstanding 7.5 mile loop trail going high above, over and around Lake Ann for stunning panoramic vista point perspectives of the Rainy Lake section of North Cascades National Park. Although there are so many wonderful hiking trails at North Cascades, I highly suggest including Maple Pass as part of your itinerary. Only heading to the "toe" of Lake Ann won't provide a successful journey or wining feeling in any sort of memorable way. Lol, if I haven't reiterated it enough, Maple Pass is the real hero trail! Let me back up just one moment... This Lake Ann - Maple Pass Trail is located in the Rainy Lake Picnic Area of the park. Be aware of this. It's not to be confused with the other side of Highway 20 and the Rainy Lake Trails side. The Picnic Area is what you want! I stopped on by around 1:30pm back over peak summertime visitation season and the Rainy Lake Picnic Area parking lot was completely full. I had to park along the shoulder of Highway 20 and walk 5 minutes to the trailhead. A lot of people were parked on Highway 20 which offers enough spacing between your car and passing traffic to feel safe. Although it's free to visit North Cascades National Park, it's a $5 fee to hike at the Rainy Lake Picnic Area. I'd suggest to be prepared with a $5 bill and or check (with a pen) to pay at the self-service station. I don't believe they accepted credit cards from what I can recall. Btw, if you are curious as to what Rainy Lake actually looks like, if you veer left from the trailhead, it's a casual 0.9 mile walk (each way) along flat ground. But Rainy Lake is nothing special either. Just like Lake Ann, I'd skip Rainy Lake. Start the hike to Maple Pass because it could take half the day, especially if you spend time at the summit admiring the sweeping views. And if you are curious as to what Lake Ann may look like, you'll find the side path for it right before the elevated climb beginning up towards Maple Pass. Overall, I'd rate Maple Pass as strenuous, but if you manage your time well and stop for photos, you'll be handsomely rewarded with dramatic sights looking down upon Lake Ann and even be eye level with the rugged peaks of the North Cascades Mountain Range! Trekking higher on Maple Pass...Heather Pass is about 3/4ths of the way up the mountain. And it's here at Heather Pass where the scenery starts to thrill. Eventually the entire 360 degree landscape opens up with unlimited opportunities to bask in the glow of nature. At this point, Lake Ann will look like a little blip on the radar in the context of how high up the mountainside you are. It's at the height of the hike and coming upon Maple Pass where I felt contentment knowing all the hard work and grinding uphill was worth it. Finally, the descent back down the mountainside starts with an immediate set of switchbacks among a gorgeous cliffside backdrop before reentering below the tree-line horizon again. This back-half section finishing the total loop will add an extra 90 or so minutes making the entire Maple Pass Trail 5 hours long (including briefly stopping at Lake Ann), which is more than manageable for any moderately motivated hiker. Overall, North Cascades is one of the most underappreciated national parks in the USA and there's an abundance of amazing hikes here that barely get any sort of recognition. Although Lake Ann doesn't stand out whatsoever, it's Maple Pass Trail climbing above the bowl that Lake Ann's situated in that's the ultimate prize for the difficult endeavor.

First, the bad news: this trail is uphill both-ways…read more Sure, you'll feel cool hiking in. "Wow, this is easy", you'll exclaim. It's easy because you're losing 500 ft of gain, right off the bat. You're gonna have to go back up on the way out! Anyway, it's a great trail. It can have lots of downed trees on it early season and it can take a while to melt out so, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Some years there's snow on the trail well into August! The trail ends at Lake Ann. It's a gorgeous area. Only climbers should start to venture out of the Lake Ann area and towards the mountain. #safetyfirst

One of the most iconic, gorgeous, and fun-to-climb mountains in the Cascades…read more It's probably my #1 favorite. "Mt Baker" ski resort is actually located right on this mountain. Shuksan has numerous super-classic routes: Fisher Chimneys (rock, glaciers, snow, a little bit of everything), North Face (high angle goodness), Sulphide Glacier (great beginner ski mountaineering route), and White Salmon glacier (not so classic...actually). If you don't care about climbing, Artist's Point is one of the most iconic places to photograph the peak.

As I start this review I see a picture of someone doing a climb to the peak in this entry on Yelp…read more I'm not nearly that rugged or adventurous but Mount Shuksan is a beautiful mountain peak to see! You get fantastic views of it at Picture Lake and up at Artist Point. At the top of Artist Point you get a great panoramic view of the area. Mount Shuksan is a non volcanic peak and while Mount Baker which is the other major peak you see at the point is volcanic. Mount Shuksan is also in the North Cascades National Park while Mount Baker is in the Mount Baker National Forest area. So you are very close to a couple of boundaries in this area... and of course farther north is Canada. When we went to the Artist Point area there was some haze from forest fires but that didn't stop us from getting some really great pictures of the scenery. I was most taken with Mount Shuksan and I wound up taking a lot more pictures of that peak than Mount Baker but the whole area is a true sight to behold.