If I were given the task of designing a national park, North Cascades National Park would be my model. There is only one paved road in the park (highway 20). This road traverses the park east to west and covers an area the size of Yellowstone. Built in 1972, the road only offers glimpses of the impassable gorges, snow capped peaks and glacier fed lakes in the 500,000 acre wilderness. To really “see” the park you have to walk. The park’s isolation and rugged terrain have kept human development to a minimum. It’s a hiking/backpacking paradise.
Because of the park’s 312 glaciers, it’s often referred to as the American Alps. Many of the lakes in the park are an unusual turquoise color caused by finely ground rock particles (commonly called glacier flour) deposited by glacial melt water. When you see these lakes it’s hard to believe they are 100% real, 0% filter; just nature.
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