The North Cascades - A National Treasure

Larger than the state of New Jersey, the North Cascades have the highest concentration of glaciers in the continental U.S. Their cold, clear rivers give rise to much of the fresh water that flows into Puget Sound to the west, and into the Columbia River to the east. These watersheds support populations of endangered wild salmon and trout, provide fresh drinking water irrigation for agriculture and hydroelectric power for the region.

From the wet, rainy west to the dry, desert-like east, the North Cascades include diverse habitat that supports everything from resident wildlife to hundreds of species of migratory birds that depend on the area during their spring and fall migrations.

Find more information regarding the North Cascades.

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The North Cascades also boast some of the best wildland recreation in the Pacific Northwest — if not the world.

Long known as a mountaineers’ destination, the area can challenge the technical skills of even the most experienced rock climbers, bushwhackers and hard bodies. Adrenaline seekers will find the Class IV and V rapids to increase the pulse rate.

Yet, the North Cascades are also a destination for families looking for a quiet, rarely-traveled place to instill the delight of nature in the next generation. At any trailhead, you can leave your daily world behind; picnic next to a hundred streams, lulled by the sound of rushing water; explore meandering trails to mountain lakes and huckleberry fields.

Preserving a National Treasure: North Cascades Initiative

We are determined to preserve the area’s wild beauty, build its reputation for world-class recreation, and support robust and economically viable human communities. We are building a coalition of businesses, grassroots groups, and a wide range of others who love this region and are willing to act creatively to preserve the North Cascades for future generations. If we plan for the future, we can shape it.

For more information about the North Cascades and our initiative, please visit www.experiencewilderness.org.

Worth Preserving! Did you know that the North Cascades contains:

• More than 1.6 million acres of unprotected wilderness-quality lands
• Over 800,000 acres of unprotected, old growth forests
• Over 1,400 miles of rivers eligible for Wild and Scenic designation
• 30% of the fresh water from the North Cascade’s Skagit River flows into iconic Puget Sound
• The largest concentration of glaciers in the continental U.S., providing water for communities and agriculture
• One of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states

photo: North Cascades National Park. Photo by Holly Werran, Courtesy REI.