Wilderness Adventure: The North Cascades are Calling

Join The Wilderness Society for a late summer retreat amidst the breathtaking peaks of the North Cascades.  Explore high meadows, paddle alpine lakes, and hike the dense forests that make up one of the largest intact wild ecosystems in the continental United States.  At every turn you will learn about and discuss the importance of large landscape level conservation in the face of both imminent and long term threats such as the economic downturn, population growth, and climate change.  You will also hear from our staff in the field about how The Wilderness Society's work in the North Cascades is engaging new and non-traditional allies through our landscape level approach to conservation.

August 31, 2009 - Day 1
Your first two nights will be spent at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, nestled in the trees on the shores of turquoise-colored Lake Diablo on the west side of the Cascades.  Enjoy delicious meals made from locally-grown food, while staying in the earth-friendly designed Environmental Learning Center.  Soak up the teachings of local naturalists, learn from Wilderness Society program experts, and even spend time with the Supervisor of the North Cascades National Park, Chip Jenkins.  On the first afternoon and evening, we might canoe and kayak on Lake Diablo or go on a nearby hike through an old-growth forest. 

Wilderness Adventure Trips 2009

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• Downloadable registration form (pdf)

September 1, 2009 - Day 2
On day two, take a boat ride on Ross Lake to the Big Beaver trail, where we'll hike a gentle trail among groves of old-growth cedar trees.

September 2, 2009 - Day 3
For the second leg of the North Cascades experience, we'll drive eastward and upward towards the drier side of the mountains.  We'll spend the majority of the third day on an easy to moderate hike to Lake Ann and Maple and Heather Pass, featuring a view of a sparkling alpine lake, high elevation meadows brimming with late summer wildflowers, enticing open ridges, and stunning vistas of the North Cascades.  We may even see a black bear and a pika or two.  After this full day of hiking, we'll continue the drive eastward to the luxurious comfort of Sun Mountain Lodge located on a hilltop overlooking Methow Valley.  Here we'll get settled in and have a relaxing dinner.

September 3, 2009 - Day 4
Take a half-day guided horseback ride to see the beautiful vistas around Sun Mountain Lodge, including Patterson Lake and Mt. Gardner, or fly-fish on the Methow River or Moccasin Lake. Other options include mountain biking, or kayaking and canoeing on
Patterson Lake.  We'll celebrate our last evening together with a special dinner hosted by local residents.

September 4, 2009 - Day 5
Depart after breakfast on the fifth day for a scenic drive westward to Seattle.

Trip Details

Cost: $2,100 per person based on double occupancy; $400 single supplement
Number of Spaces Available: 12
Fitness Level: This trip is designed for participants in good health who are able to perform 4-6 hours of physical activity each day (the equivalent of walking up to five miles at 2.5 mph pace over uneven ground and varied terrain).

For more information or to ask any questions you can email Sean Bowie, The Wilderness Society's Development Coordinator, or call Sean at 202-429-2680.