This tour has 13 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops. And if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!

• Cell phone (with tour downloaded!)
• Car charger
• Phone mount for car
• Flashlight - for a night hike to Ladder Creek Falls (optional) 
• Binoculars (optional)
• Trekking poles (recommended if hiking to Blue Lake or Maple Pass)
• Waterproof rain jacket or coat 
• Non-cotton/waterproof or quick-dry pants
• Dress in layers (layer with NON-cotton fabric like fleece/wool – for cooler weather or synthetic materials like nylon–for warmer weather). The key is to stay warm and dry! 
• Hiking boots/sturdy shoes if you plan to hike
• Sunscreen & sunglasses 
• Hat
• Water 
• Snacks and/or picnic food (remember to pack up leftovers/don’t leave crumbs) 
• First aid kit/medications
• Emergency roadside assistance kit
• Swimsuit and water shoes if interested in swimming in Diablo Lake (it’s very cold – even in the summer)

Most stops do not have an entrance fee, however, there are a few hikes in the national forest that require a National Forest Recreation Pass at $5 per vehicle. You can purchase an ePASS here or at a kiosk at the trailhead. Those include Rainy Pass (Rainy Lake and Maple Pass Trails), Blue Lake Trail, and Cutthroat Lake Trail. If you’re not planning on hiking these trails, you do not need this pass. 

There are also optional Diablo Lake boat tours that you can take for an additional cost. These sell out quickly, so advance reservations are highly recommended. Check out our KNOW BEFORE YOU GO article for more information.

The park and its facilities are open seasonally, depending on the weather. Visit the NPS’s website before you go. 

Please note that North Cascades Highway is typically open from mid-April or May through late fall (depending on the snowfall). Most snow is off of the trails by July and the golden larches put on their fall colors sometime in late September through early October. 

The highway, park facilities, and trails close for the winter due to heavy snow.

Yes! The tour has two starting points: east of Rockport, WA, and east of Mazama, WA - depending if you’re taking the eastward or westward route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting. 

If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

Yes, this tour is available in two directions - east to west and west to east. 

Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.