Hiking the North Cascades in June

Bright blue lakes, rugged mountains, and thriving wildlife abound in North Cascades National Park 🏔. Although this is one of the least visited parks in the US, it is one of the most stunning. This park in the Northern area of Washington is incredible. Cold weather and snow 🌨 cover the mountains for much of the year. However, there are still many great hikes to do in the North Cascades in June!

I have been to most of the National Parks in the US and this one blew me away! As I was hiking through the park, I was making plans for a return trip. There are so many beautiful places and hikes to see there 🤩! Below you can read everything you need to know about visiting and hiking in June.

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Hikes to Do in the North Cascades June

Thunder Knob

During the month of June, this is one of the most popular hikes in the park. It is usually clear of snow, because it is at a lower elevation. It’s also a fantastic walk to a ✨ stunning lookout ✨ over Diablo Lake. This moderate trail cuts through the lush forest, over switchbacks, until you come up to the lookout. There are many perches along the edge of the mountain to sit and enjoy the view of the lake below! It’s one of those hikes that is the perfect length and difficulty for a day’s journey.

Plan on arriving early in the morning ⏰ to snag a parking spot around the trailhead. Many people park in this area to take their boats or paddleboards out on Diablo Lake. Luckily, people are often coming in and out, so you can wait for someone to leave if you cannot find parking right away. This trail starts by the campground, but passes beyond it quickly. This is a fantastic hike to complete in June!  

Blue Lake

Take this hike through the forest and up to a beautiful alpine lake in the North Cascades. In the month of June, the lake will be mostly frozen, but it is also extremely beautiful. There are many great views as you walk up and down this trail. Along the way, you will see magical clearings with stunning views of the Cascade Mountains 🏔above the tree line. It’s one of the most popular trails in the park and if you are willing to trudge through the snow then it is worth it!

If you plan on hiking this trail in June, then prepare yourself for lots of snow ❄️! When we went in the end of June, the trail was completely covered and hard to find amongst the snow pack. At points, we were able to follow footprints 👣, but many times we had to turn to our GPS for directions. Luckily, we found other people to walk the trail with and we were rewarded with amazing views at the end. It was a challenging but beautiful walk on a clear day. 

Cutthroat Lake

Although this trail is not technically in the park, it is still a great hike to add to your North Cascades in June itinerary 🥾. The path should be relatively clear of snow in late June, but you may have to walk over snow patches throughout the month. This hike takes you through the woods, over a couple of creeks and rivers, before you get to the gorgeous lake at the end. Even if there is snow on the ground, the lake should be free of most ice in June. It’s a stunning spot to sit and take in the view or go fishing if you would like!

If you are coming from the Newhalem area, then you will drive past the Blue Lake Trailhead and continue on until you see a sign for Cutthroat Lake. Turn left and then drive for a mile until you get to the parking area for the lake. Parking fills up so try to arrive earlier in the day! Because the trail is technically in the National Forest, you will need to pay a fee 💵 or use your Parks pass for access.

Fourth of July Pass

If you want to take on a difficult hike, then this is your best bet 💪🏻. The trail climbs through the forest and up over the mountains. There are views along the way, but there is not one huge overlook on the trail.

In all honesty, this trail gets very mixed reviews, but it is one of the tougher that is open in June. I recommend this trail if you enjoy the woods 🌲 and you want to take on the tough ascent.

Trail of the Cedars

This is a great quick family friendly hike 🍃! You will follow a gravel pathway through the woods to learn more about the area. There are plenty of informational signs that are interesting to read about. It’s perfect to add on to any trip to the North Cascades!

North Cascades in June Sights

Gorge Creek View

This area is home to two incredible sights: Gorge Creek Falls and Gorge Creek Dam. You can view both of these spots by using the pedestrian walkways. These are quick and easy stops that you can add to your North Cascades trip!

Diablo Lake Overlook

Diablo Lake will blow you away 🤯! This stunning aqua colored lake sits at the heart of North Cascades National Park. This glacial fed lake is one of the most popular areas of the park for good reason. It’s truly a remarkable sight to behold. If you go to the lookout you will get one of the best views over the lake.

Washington Pass

Washington Pass is the highest point on the North Cascades highway! Walk out to this lookout to take in the majestic mountains and incredible scenery that surrounds you. Although the road may still be closed to the pass in June, you can walk up about a quarter mile to get to the overlook.

Things to Know Before You Go

What to Pack

North Cascades National Park is a beautiful area, but it is snow-covered for a lot of the year. In June, you must be prepared for all kinds of weather ⛈ and hiking on snow patches.  Mountain storms come on fast and can be intensely strong. For most of the year, the mountain temperatures can be extremely cold and heavy winds can blow 🌬. When preparing for a trip into these mountains, make sure to pack plenty of layers, bring lots of water, and the proper gear so that you can have an amazing time. 

Where to Stay

There are several campgrounds in the North Cascades that are fantastic places to stay. You can book most of them in advance during the peak season on recreation.gov. Otherwise, you will have to stay a bit outside of the park, but you can look at towns like Winthrop, Mazama, and Marblemount.

Great Hotels Near the North Cascades:

• Sun Mountain Lodge
• Winthrop Inn
• North Cascades Lodge

Let me know in the comments if you found this guide helpful!

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