cascade loop scenic highway corridor management plan (part 1)

8 Skagit Valley& Fidalgo Island

9 Whidbey IslandScenic Isle Way

1 Snohomish River Valley

7 North Cascades

6 The Methow Valley

3 Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills

2 Stevens Pass Greenway

4 Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley4

5 Lake Chelan Valley5

Cascade LoopCORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

Prepared for:The Cascade Loop Association

Wenatchee, Washington

Phone: 509.662.3888Email: [email protected] Website: www.cascadeloop.com

Prepared by:Otak, Incorporated

Kirkland, Washington

Phone: 425.822.4446Website: www.otak.com

JUNE 2014

Cascade LoopCORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

1 Introduction to the Cascade Loop Scenic HighwayOVERVIEW AND MAP OF THE CASCADE LOOP .......................................................................................................................... 1-1

THE PURPIOSE AND CONTENTS OF THIS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................................... 1-2

PLANNING PROCESS AND PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT .................................................................................. 1-4

SCENIC BYWAY STATUS ................................................................................................................................................................. 1-5

BENEFITS OF NATURAL SCENIC BYWAY DESIGNATION AND OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION PROCESS............................... 1-6

MISSION, VISION, VALUES, AND GOALS ....................................................................................................................................... 1-8

A TOUR AROUND THE CASCADE LOOP ........................................................................................................................................ 1-11

Snohomish River Valley .........................................................................................................................................................1-12

Stevens Pass Greenway ........................................................................................................................................................1-14

Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills ..........................................................................................................................................1-16

Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley .......................................................................................................................................1-18

Lake Chelan Valley .................................................................................................................................................................1-20

The Methow Valley ................................................................................................................................................................1-22

North Cascades ......................................................................................................................................................................1-24

Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island ...............................................................................................................................................1-26

Whidbey Island Scenic Isle way ............................................................................................................................................1-28

Table of Contents

2 | Past and Present Conditions Around the Cascade LoopINTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2-1

NATURAL HISTORY AND ECOSYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS ....................................................................................................... 2-2

CLIMATE ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2-4

FIRST PEOPLES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2-5

PAST AND PRESENT CONDITIONS OF EACH REGION .................................................................................................................. 2-9

Region 1: Snohomish River Valley ........................................................................................................................................2-10

Region 2: Stevens Pass Greenway ......................................................................................................................................2-15

Region 3: Leavenwoth/Cascade Foothills ..........................................................................................................................2-20

Region 4: Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley .....................................................................................................................2-24

Region 5: Lake Chelan Valley ...............................................................................................................................................2-28

Region 6: The Methow Valley ...............................................................................................................................................2-34

Region 7: North Cascades .....................................................................................................................................................2-40

Region 8: Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island ..............................................................................................................................2-48

Region 9: Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way..........................................................................................................................2-54

3 | Intrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique ExperiencesWHAT ARE INTRINSIC QUALITIES? ................................................................................................................................................ 3-1

ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY AND ALL AMERICAN ROAD DESIGNATION ...................................................... 3-3

INTRINSIC QUALITIES OF THE CASCADE LOOP SCENIC HIGHWAY............................................................................................ 3-4

1 | Snohomish River Valley .....................................................................................................................................................3-6

2 | Stevens Pass Greenway ...................................................................................................................................................3-8

3 | Leavenwoth/Cascade Foothills .......................................................................................................................................3-10

4 | Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley .................................................................................................................................3-12

5 | Lake Chelan Valley ............................................................................................................................................................3-14

6 | The Methow Valley ...........................................................................................................................................................3-16

7 | North Cascades..................................................................................................................................................................3-18

C A S C A D E L O O P S C E N I C H I G H W A YTable of Contents

8 | Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island .........................................................................................................................................3-22

9 | Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way ......................................................................................................................................3-24

SPECIAL PLACES TABLES .............................................................................................................................................................3-26

1 | Snohomish River Valley .....................................................................................................................................................3-26

2 | Stevens Pass Greenway ...................................................................................................................................................3-27

3 | Leavenwoth/Cascade Foothills .......................................................................................................................................3-28

4 | Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley .................................................................................................................................3-29

5 | Lake Chelan Valley ............................................................................................................................................................3-30

6 | The Methow Valley ...........................................................................................................................................................3-32

7 | North Cascades..................................................................................................................................................................3-33

8 | Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island .........................................................................................................................................3-34

9 | Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way ......................................................................................................................................3-35

4 | Transportation System AssessmentINTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4-1

STATE HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................................................... 4-1

WSDOT MANAGEMENT AND WASHINGTON’S TRANSPORTATION PLAN ............................................................................... 4-3

STATE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLANNING AND PRIORITIES .............................................................................................. 4-4

Safety Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................4-5

Functional Classifications of the Highway Routes .............................................................................................................4-5

HIGHWAY CHARACTERISTICS AND CONDITIONS FOR EACH ROUTE ........................................................................................ 4-10

From Forging a Trail to a Paved Highway ............................................................................................................................4-20

Side Tours/Trips—Mini-Loops and Spur Routes ..................................................................................................................4-22

Roadside Pull-Offs/Scenic Viewing Locations ....................................................................................................................4-22

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ........................................................................................................................................4-22

Table of ContentsC O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N

5 | Preserving the Unique Qualities and Enhancing the Visitor Experience of the Cascade LoopINTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5-1

VISITOR PROFILE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5-2

Cascade Loop Statistics .........................................................................................................................................................5-3

Annual Visitation Statistics from Around the Cascade Loop ............................................................................................5-4

Proximity to Major Metropolitian Markets ..........................................................................................................................5-5

Domestic and International Visitor Statistics and Trends .................................................................................................5-5

Visitor Interests and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................................5-6

ENHANCING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE ........................................................................................................................................ 5-8

Maintaining and Ongoing Focus on Visitor Hospitality .......................................................................................................5-9

Promoting Stewardship and Sustainability .........................................................................................................................5-10

Residents Around the Cascade Loop also are Important Stewards ................................................................................5-11

Directing Visitors to the Right Places ..................................................................................................................................5-12

Promoting Sustainable Travel and Geotourism ..................................................................................................................5-12

THE GEOTOURISM CHARTER .......................................................................................................................................................... 5-14

EXPANDING AND IMPROVING SIGNING AND VISITOR WAYSHOWING AND WAYFINDING..................................................... 5-16

Regulatory Signing .................................................................................................................................................................5-16

Effectively Communicating Information to Visitors ..........................................................................................................5-17

What is the Difference Between Wayfinding and Wayshowing .......................................................................................5-17

The Four Stages of Trip Making ............................................................................................................................................5-18

Providing an Effective Byway Guidance System ................................................................................................................5-18

Signing and Wayshowing and Recommendations for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway ...........................................5-19

Existing Logo Signing Along the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway ......................................................................................5-23

Design Concepts for Cascade Loop Signs ...........................................................................................................................5-23

Locations of Existing Cascade Loop Scenic Highway Logo Signs, 2014 ..........................................................................5-24

Trailblazer Signing Concepts for Region 6 - The Methow Valley .....................................................................................5-25


Trailblazer Signing Concepts for Region 7 - North Cascades ............................................................................................5-26

Trailblazer Signing Concepts for Region 8 - Skagit Valley And Fidalgo Island ...............................................................5-27

Trailblazer Signing Concepts for Region 9 - Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way ................................................................5-28

Additional Guidance Related to Signing ...............................................................................................................................5-30

Compliance with Outdoor Advertising Controls.................................................................................................................5-30

Other Applicable Sign Regulations .......................................................................................................................................5-31

Signing and Wayshowing Master Planning and Implementation Process ......................................................................5-31

Benefits of Implementing the Signing and Wayfinding Program .....................................................................................5-32

Proposed Signing and Interpretive Projects for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway .....................................................5-32

Purpose and Goals ..................................................................................................................................................................5-33

Specific Work Plan for the Signing and Wayshowing Master Plan and Design Templates ..........................................5-33

Specific Work Plan for the Interpretive Master Plan and Design Templates .................................................................5-34

Specific Work Plan for the Implementation of Signing and Wayshowing Improvements ............................................5-35

Specific Work Plan for the Implementation of the Interpretive Master Plan .................................................................5-36

TELLING STORIES OF THE CASCADE LOOP THROUGH INTERPRETATION ............................................................................... 5-37

The Purpose of the Interpretation and Guiding Principles .................................................................................................5-37

Improving Site Conditions to Support Interpretation .........................................................................................................5-38

Central Interpretive Themes .................................................................................................................................................5-39

Interpretive Media Options ....................................................................................................................................................5-40

PRESERVING THE OVERALL CHARACTER AND UNIQUE QUALITIES OF THE BYWAY ............................................................ 5-45

Washington State Scenic and Recreational Highways Strategic Plan, 2010-2030 .......................................................5-46

Measuring Progress Toward the Environmental Goal ......................................................................................................5-47

GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR ROADSIDE ELEMENTS ...................................................................................................... 5-52

CASCADE LOOP MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 5-60

Existing Marketing and Promotional Activities ...................................................................................................................5-60

Ongoing Objectives and Strategies ......................................................................................................................................5-61


6 | Action PlanOVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 6-1

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN ...................................................... 6-2

1. Enhancing Visitor Experience ...........................................................................................................................................6-2

2. Strengthening the Brand Identity and Character of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway .........................................6-3

3. Expanding Multi-Modal Transportation Options and Encouraging Green Travel ......................................................6-3

4. Preserving and Protecting Important Resources and Intrinsic Qualities ...................................................................6-4

5. Improving Community Livability and Economic Vitality ...............................................................................................6-4

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS INFLUENCING DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACTION PLAN ........ 6-5

RECOMMENDED ACTION ITEMS—INTRODCUTION TO THE ACTION PLAN SUMMARY TABLE .............................................. 6-6

Guide to Information in the Action Plan Summary Table ..................................................................................................6-6

IMPLEMENTING AND UPDATING THE ACTION PLAN .................................................................................................................. 6-8

Identifying Potential Projects and Strategies is Only the First Step ................................................................................6-8

Updating the Action Plan .......................................................................................................................................................6-8

Funding and Resources for Implemention ..........................................................................................................................6-8

ACTION PLAN SUMMARY TABLE .................................................................................................................................................. 6-9

Cascade Loop Overall ............................................................................................................................................................6-9

Region 1 | Snohomish River Valley ........................................................................................................................................6-12

Region 2 | Stevens Pass Greenway .......................................................................................................................................6-14

Region 3 | Leavenwoth/Cascade Foothills ..........................................................................................................................6-17

Region 4 | Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley .....................................................................................................................6-19

Region 5 | Lake Chelan Valley ...............................................................................................................................................6-22

Region 6 | The Methow Valley ...............................................................................................................................................6-27

Region 7 | North Cascades .....................................................................................................................................................6-29

Region 8 | Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island .............................................................................................................................6-34

Region 9 | Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way ..........................................................................................................................6-38


7 | Cascade Loop Organization and Engagement StrategiesBACKGROUND ON THE CASCADE LOOP ASSOCIATION .............................................................................................................. 7-1

THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPS ......................................................................................................................................... 7-2

ONGOING ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................................... 7-4

EXPANDING AND STRENGTHENING THE BYWAY ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................... 7-6

BROADENING INTEREST—BRING IN MORE STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS TO SUPPORT SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................................. 7-8

ONGOING PUBLIC, COMMUNITY, AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH ....................................................... 7-10

Recommended Public and Stakeholder Involvement Tools and Activities to Support Ongoing Byway Management and Interpretation .........................................................................7-12

8 | Next Steps: Implementing this PlanIMPLEMENTING THIS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................................................................................. 8-1

PURSUING NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY DESIGNATION ................................................................................................................ 8-4

WA STATE SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL HIGHWAYS MAP FROM THE STATE SCENIC AND RECREATIONAL HIGHWAYS PLAN, 2010 ............................................................................................................... 8-7

POTENTIAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ........................................................................................................................................ 8-9

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS ......................................................................................................................................... 8-13

Steps to Successful Project Implementation .....................................................................................................................8-14


Introduction to the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway 1

C A S C A D E L O O P S C E N I C H I G H W A YIntroduction to the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway

1 SNOHOMISH RIVER VALLEY

From the waters of Puget Sound, through fertile farm valleys to the foothills of the Cascades, where vibrant cities and towns serve as gateways to the Cascade Loop

2 STEVENS PASS GREENWAY

Lush forests and thundering waterfalls line the scenic route up and over Stevens Pass, traversing through charming historic towns that offer friendly hospitality and remnants of the past on the drive across the Cascades

3 LEAVENWORTH/CASCADE FOOTHILLS

A Bavarian village and classic all-American small towns nestled in the foothills of the eastern slope of the Cascades offer a diversity of recreational and cultural experiences

4 WENATCHEE/COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY

Orchards, vineyards, and farmlands roll across the landscape and along the shores of the Great Columbia River, with bustling towns that are commercial hubs of Washington’s important fruit industry

5 LAKE CHELAN VALLEY

A pristine, glacier-fed lake slices deeply into the heart of the Cascade Mountains in a setting that offers abundant scenic beauty and recreational opportunities

Overview and Map of the Cascade LoopWelcome to 440 miles of wilderness, scenery, exciting adventures, historic towns, and comfortable accommodations. The Cascade Loop provides access to the very best of everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Many diverse landscapes await travelers—from the coastal shorelines of Puget Sound and foothills and mountain meadows of the Cascades, across the snow-capped peaks, to the fruitful agricultural and rugged range lands of North Central Washington. There are nine distinct regions around the Cascade Loop and each setting delivers a uniquely different experience.

6 THE METHOW VALLEY

From the confluence of the Columbia to the crest of the Cascades, with miles of open range, endless star-filled skies, natural recreation, and a frontier atmosphere of the Old West, year-round experiences can be enjoyed by all

7 NORTH CASCADES

Dramatic mountain peaks and spectacular scenery across national forest and park lands—this is the Cascades at their best—with lakes, rivers, creeks, abundant hiking trails, and travelers’ rests along the way

8 SKAGIT VALLEY & FIDALGO ISLAND

A proud agricultural heritage, American bald eagles, and colorful carpets of blooms (tulips, daffodils, irises) across the lowland plains to Puget Sound, many experiences await travelers as they descend from the Cascades

9 WHIDBEY SCENIC ISLE WAY

Saltwater beaches and historic towns connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries offer spectacular scenic views of farmlands, forests, and snow capped peaks of the Olympics and Cascades mountain ranges

Introduction to the Cascade Loop Scenic HighwayC O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N

The Federal Highway Administration has developed specific guidelines for the development of scenic byway management plans, also called corridor management plans. According to these guidelines, management plans should highlight the extraordinary “intrinsic qualities” of the byway, including special places and unique experiences that are beyond the norm. Written and developed with extensive involvement of communities along the byway, scenic byway plans should outline how to protect and enhance these intrinsic qualities (special places and unique experiences) through actions, practices, and strategies contained in the plan. The plan should also articulate the vision for the scenic byway and represent a long-term commitment to its stewardship.

The Purpose and Contents of this Corridor Management Plan

Scenic byway management plans do not typically hold any regulatory authority. Rather, they are developed to inspire and organize grass-roots efforts related to coordination, communication, and implementation activities, engaging a diversity of interests and communities along the route. Additionally, a corridor management plan should be a “living document” that is intended to be periodically reviewed and revised as new information becomes available.

The Federal Highway Administration requires that corridor management plans include the following fourteen elements at a minimum, and if All-American Road Designation will be pursued, the plan must address an additional three elements:

BUCKNER ORCHARD NEAR STEHEKIN

A corridor management plan presents a clear vision of what the scenic byway organization intends to accomplish. With specific strategies for managing tourism and protecting unique natural and cultural resources, the plan should reflect community goals and respect local lifestyles and cultures.Adapted from America’s Byways® (National Scenic Byways Program)

“ “

Originally settled by Bill Buzzard in 1892, sold to the Buckners in 1910.


A map identifying boundaries, locations of intrinsic qualities, and land uses

A description and assessment of the corridor’s intrinsic qualities

Strategies for maintaining and enhancing intrinsic qualities

A list of all agency, group, and individual responsibilities in implementation of the corridor management plan and a description of review mechanisms (implementation strategy/action plan)

Strategies for enhancing existing development and accommodating new development while preserving intrinsic qualities

A plan to assure ongoing public participation in implementation of the plan and management objectives

A general review of the roadway safety and identification of correctible faults

Discussion of design standards for proposed modifications of the road

Information about services and facilities to accommodate visitors and a plan to accommodate commerce while maintaining safety along the byway

Documentation that shows intrusions on visitor experience have been minimized

Recommendations for signing and wayfinding that ensure that the number and placement of signs will support the visitor experience

Demonstration of compliance with existing local, state, and federal laws for the control of outdoor advertising

Recommendations for interpretation of the byway’s resources and for telling the byway story

Marketing and promotional strategies (description of how the byway will be positioned for marketing)

The following three additional elements must be addressed for All-American Road/National Scenic Byway designation:

A narrative describing how the All-American Road will be promoted, interpreted, and marketed in order to attract travelers, especially those from other countries; the agencies responsible for these activities should be identified

A plan to encourage the accommodation of increased tourism and demonstration that roadway, lodging, dining, roadside rest areas, and other tourist necessities will be adequate for the number of visitors induced by All-American Road designation

A plan for addressing multi-lingual information needs


CONTENTS OF THIS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLANThe Cascade Loop Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan has been developed to address the 17 points described above and includes the following chapters:

• Chapter 1—Introduction to the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway

• Chapter 2—Past and Present Conditions around the Cascade Loop

• Chapter 3—Intrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique Experiences

• Chapter 4—Transportation System Assessment

• Chapter 5—Preserving the Unique Qualitiesof the Cascade Loop and Enhancing the Visitor Experience

• Chapter 6—Action Plan

• Chapter 7—Cascade Loop Organization and Engagement

• Chapter 8—Next Steps: Implementing this Plan

The Corridor Management Plan was developed over the course of a 21-month planning process that provided opportunities for engagement of communities and stakeholders along the Loop. Two separate traveling workshop series were held in Fall of 2012 and Summer of 2013. These workshop series were each conducted in multiple sessions over the course of a few days in communities around the Loop. The first workshop series focused on gathering information and facilitating discussion related to the vision and objectives for the Cascade Loop. The second workshop series presented draft plan elements (including the inventory of intrinsic qualities and the action plan) for public review and comment. In addition, the full draft plan was reviewed by representatives of the Cascade Loop Association board and membership, and was made available for public review prior to being finalized. The planning process chart below depicts the process for development of the corridor management plan and public and stakeholder involvement activities.

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AROUND THE CASCADE LOOP

COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC WORKSHOP SERIES AROUND THE CASCADE LOOP

Summer2012

Fall2012

Winter2013

Spring2013

Summer2013

Fall2013

Winter/Spring2014

Review and Analyze

Conditions around the

Loop

PROJ

ECT

KICK

-OFF Identify

Opportunities and Develop

Concepts

Develop Draft

Corridor Management

Plan

FIN

ALI

ZE P

LAN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Series #1 Series #2

Planning Process and Publicand Stakeholder Engagement

EBEY’S LANDINGWhidbey Scenic Isle Way


The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway is part of the Washington State system of Scenic and Recreational Highways and is designated as a state scenic byway. Segments of the Cascade Loop have additional recognized scenic byway designations, listed at right. The full Cascade Loop Scenic Highway has not yet been designated as a national scenic byway, although the Cascade Loop Association intends to apply for national designation now that this corridor management plan has been developed.

Washington State was one of the first states in the country to establish a system of scenic highways. Scenic highways pass through the varied terrain of Washington

Scenic Byway StatusCASCADE LOOP SCENIC HIGHWAY SEGMENTS WITH SCENIC BYWAY DESIGNATIONS:

• STEVENS PASS GREENWAY—Washington State Scenic Byway, National Scenic Byway, and National Forest Scenic Byway designations

• NORTH CASCADES SCENIC HIGHWAY/BYWAY—Washington State Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway designations

• SKAGIT VALLEY—Agricultural Scenic Corridor (designated by the Washington State Legislature)

• WHIDBEY SCENIC ISLE WAY—Washington State Scenic Byway designation

reflecting the depth of its scenic, cultural and historic landscapes. The State Scenic and Recreational Highways program works to ensure that Washington State's scenic and recreational resources are available and accessible for generations to come. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), responsible for administering the program identifies and initiates effective strategies, partnerships, and policies to protect and enhance scenic and recreational resources along these scenic byways. WSDOT recognizes that these resources are key to the health of local economies as well as citizens by supporting tourism and recreational opportunities.

STEVENS PASS SKI RESORT

One of America’s Grandest most spectacular drives.National Geographic Traveler“

“ Stevens Pass Greenway is full of recreational opportunities year-round.


National Scenic Byways Program Background and PurposeThe National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is a grassroots collaborative effort established to help states recognize, preserve and enhance selected scenic routes. The NSBP has provided funding for over 2,670 state and nationally designated byway projects in 52 States and territories. Collectively these routes are now known and marketed as America’s Byways. The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Established in Title 23, Section 162 of the United States Code under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and reauthorized and expanded significantly in 1998 under TEA-21 and again under SAFETEA-LU in 2005.

The Federal Highway Administration’s May 18, 1995 interim policy (PDF, Text) provides the criteria for the National Scenic Byways Program. This policy sets forth the procedures for the designation by the US Secretary of Transportation of certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities. The program recognizes roads based on their outstanding scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological, and recreational qualities with a vision “to create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories, and treasured places.”

In July 2012, the new transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) was enacted to sustain the Highway Trust Fund and provide states and communities with two years of steady funding to build needed roads, bridges, and transit systems. The National Scenic Byways Program was NOT eliminated by this legislation (a common point of confusion). The national designation program still exists within the Federal Highway Administration, but there is no direct funding or grant program funds in the new bill for

the National Scenic Byways Program. Scenic byway projects are eligible for funding under the new Transportation Alternatives Program, which is part of MAP-21. The level of funding has been reduced and combined with funding for other types of projects, such as bicycle and pedestrian enhancements. The Federal Highway Administration has created a website that links to the new bill and provides related information and resources as they become available: www.fhwa.dot.gov/MAP21/

The National Scenic Byways Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization originally formed in 2003, is bringing forward a renewed effort to be an active voice in the national byway community. The Foundation has assumed responsibility for several of the previous initiatives of the America’s Byways Resource Center, which has been closed due to federal funding limitations. The Foundation’s Board of Directors will be working closely with the Federal Highway Administration to ensure that a strong voice for the byway community continues to be conveyed to legislators, national partners, and byway stakeholders. For more information about the Foundation, visit: www.nsbfoundation.com

Benefits of National Scenic Byway Designation and Overview of Application Process

NORTH CASCADES VISITOR CENTERNewhalem, WA


National Designation and Related BenefitsNational scenic byways provide an opportunity to commemorate nationally significant natural and cultural resources and to honor our nation’s history. Travelers can enjoy the unique features of a byway and their enjoyment contributes to local economies through increased tourism revenues. National scenic byways are showcased on national websites and are frequently highlighted in the media. They are recognized on maps and in brochures and with special signs along the byway route. Designating and protecting scenic byways is a way to preserve America’s beauty and heritage for future generations to enjoy.

There are two levels of national designation: All-American Road (the highest tier of scenic byways in the nation) and National Scenic Byway. To receive the official designation as an All-American Road or National Scenic Byway, a route must be a state-designated scenic route, possess intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant, and have a completed corridor management plan. The plan must document that the byway can safely accommodate two-wheel drive automobiles with standard clearances and conventional tour buses, as well as bicycle and pedestrian travel where feasible. Before the byway is nominated, the plan should show that visitor facilities are available for travelers. The plan should also describe how the byway provides continuity with minimal intrusions on the visitor experience and that there are organizational mechanisms in place to preserve intrinsic

qualities and implement projects and actions. Corridor management plans must address seventeen key elements (fourteen basic elements and an additional three elements required for All-American Road National Scenic Byway designation), as described previously in this chapter.

Demonstration of Intrinsic Qualities and Nomination ProcessNational Scenic Byway designation is contingent upon demonstration that the byway possesses at least one category of the six intrinsic qualities recognized by the Federal Highway Administration: natural, archaeological, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic. For All-American Road designation, the byway must possess intrinsic qualities within at least two of these categories. As shown in the intrinsic quality inventory in Chapter 3, the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway has intrinsic qualities in all six categories.

Nominations for national designation may originate from any local or private group, government organization, or individual. This includes Native American tribal governments. Nominations to the National Scenic Byways Program of byways on public lands may originate from the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Nominations must be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration by either a state, Native American tribe, or federal lands management agency. A two-step process may be used for nominations through state agencies:

STEP 1—Local sponsors submit the necessary documentation to their state scenic byways program.

STEP 2—The remainder of the nomination package is then submitted to the National Scenic Byways Program once the state has determined that the byway is appropriate for nomination.

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with state byway coordinators and to engage any applicable federal land management agencies in the nomination process.

Designations of National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads shall be made by the US Secretary of Transportation after consultation with the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce, as appropriate. A panel of experts, designated by the Federal Highway Administration and reflecting a cross-section of the scenic byway community interests may assist in review of the nominations. There has not been a call for nominations since 2008, but it is anticipated that there will be another call within the near future. In 2009, 42 new designations were announced by the Secretary of Transportation. The current number of All-American Roads in the United States is 31, and there are 120 National Scenic Byways. Additional information, including nomination package requirements, can be found at:www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/nominations/ and www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/.


The Cascade Loop Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and protecting the scenic byway and encouraging travelers to visit and experience the natural beauty, diverse attractions, unique heritage, and friendly rural communities throughout all regions. The Cascade Loop Association has been focused on promoting the scenic byway since 1978, bringing a long history of successful partnership-building across the 440-mile Loop. The Association is guided by a board of representatives from around the Loop and maintains a broad membership throughout Washington state and beyond.

A strong mission and vision supported by specific values and goals provide a guiding foundation for scenic byways. The Cascade Loop’s mission, vision, values and goals will become the basis for future planning, management and implementation activities.

Mission A “mission statement” represents the “how” – how the byway leaders will work to create a successful scenic byway and implement the corridor management plan.

The Cascade Loop Association’s day-to-day mission is focused on enhancing and protecting the scenic byway and encouraging travelers to visit and experience its natural beauty, diverse attractions, unique heritage and friendly rural communities. In addition, the Association also has an expanded mission that supports this corridor management plan:

Mission, Vision, Values, and GoalsCascade LoopAssociation

To work collaboratively to enrich the experiences of Cascade Loop travelers by:

• Working across the regions of the Cascade Loop in a coordinated process to implement this plan.

• Reinforcing a consistent brand identity while reflecting the unique character of each region.

• Implementing projects that enhance visitors’ experiences.

• Preserving the character and resources of the Cascade Loop for future generations.

WENATCHEE RIVERFlowing along Highway 2 in autumn’s colorful splendor


Vision A “vision statement” represents the “what” – what a successful byway experience is envisioned to be. The Cascade Loop vision statement is as follows:

Values and Goals These are the key elements that the scenic byway organization believes in and supports as an organization. All projects and actions in the corridor management plan should reinforce and support these values and goals.

COORDINATED MANAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP-BUILDING

• Strengthen community and agency partnerships through ongoing communications and collaborative programs and projects.

• Implement the corridor management plan in coordination with applicable local, state, and federal plans and regulations and collaborate with all affected jurisdictions in ongoing planning and implementation efforts.

• Support the North Central Washington Economic Development Districts (NCW EDD) ongoing efforts working with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and other partners, to study international tourism markets and their economic impact on North Central Washington. The results of this effort will be shared by a variety of tourism-related partners for use in promotion and business strategy planning, and to promote and attract visitors to North Central Washington as a viable economic development strategy.

• Increase community pride and cooperative relationships between the communities on the Loop by supporting and promoting local special events, celebrations, and activities.

• Continue to sustain an enthusiastic, active byway organization over the long-term.

• Provide formal opportunities for ongoing participation in corridor management plan implementation that engage community representatives from around the Loop, tourism partners, organizations, public agencies, Native American tribes, the traveling public, and other stakeholders.

Through a journey around the Cascade Loop, visitors can experience the very best of what Washington and the Pacific Northwest have to offer. Travelers of the Loop will gain lasting memories through diverse, unique experiences, such as:

• Rolling green landscapes, fertile farm valleys, and the foothills of the Cascades;

• Lush forests and cascading waterfalls;• Friendly, historic, and charming towns and cities;• Engagement in diverse cultural arts, festivals, and events;• Washington’s vibrant industries in urban and rural areas;• Culinary delights, fruits, wine, crafted beverages, and other

farm-to-table treasures;• Sunny, open shrub-steppe landscapes of the Columbia Plateau;• Abundant rivers, streams, lakes, wildlife, and natural resources;• Thousands of miles of trails and year-round recreational experiences;• Scenic, snow-capped peaks and unforgettable, spectacular views;• Carpets of color—tulips, daffodils, irises, and other fields of the

Skagit Valley; and• Marine beaches and shorelines of Puget Sound.


• Foster public interest, involvement, and a sense of ownership in the health, welfare, and success of the Cascade Loop.

RESOURCE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION

• Broaden awareness about the unique qualities and resources of the Cascade Loop and surrounding environments and encourage a sense of stewardship, preservation, and protection among visitors as well as byway communities.

• Work actively to support new development and improvements along the Cascade Loop that do not detract from its scenic qualities, views, and vistas that are a basis for an unforgettable visitor experience.

• Support organizations, Native American tribes, and government agencies dedicated to conservation and preservation of natural and cultural resources around the Cascade Loop.

ENHANCED VISITOR EXPERIENCES

• All the experiences already exist—but the Cascade Loop Association will continue to promote these experiences in ways that enable visitors to gain the most from every visit.

• Build visitor awareness of the full depth of year-round experiences to disperse visitation, and expand economic benefits throughout all seasons, including shoulder seasons.

• Expand educational and interpretive opportunities for citizens through development of an interpretive master plan and implementation of a variety of story-telling projects (wayside exhibits, story point sites accessed electronically, historical markers, living history programs at visitor destinations, and other methods).

• Strengthen the understanding of the diversity of people who have influenced Cascade Loop history over time through vibrant story-telling.

• Reinforce the continuity of the Cascade Loop experience through a system of wayfinding, signing, and infrastructure that is representative of the overall byway experience, and that also honors the unique character of each region.

• Help visitors find their way through a cohesive, recognizable brand-identity conveyed by various elements (byway logo signs, information kiosks, byway logos on sponsored facilities, etc.).

SUSTAINABLE MARKETING AND TOURISM PROMOTION AND PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

• Increase business, tax revenue, and jobs by enhancing tourism in areas along the byway that can adequately support increased visitation.

• Leverage funding and resources through collaborative planning and partnerships for ongoing marketing and promotions, as well as for project implementation.

• Provide a forum for collaborative marketing and promotional activities and sharing among tourism organizations.

• Revisit the provisions of the corridor management plan every three years and update specific priorities for the next three years.

LEAVENWORTHAdopted a Bavarian theme in the 1960s and is now a thriving destination.

SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVALTulipfest event celebrated every April 1 - 30


A trip around the Cascade Loop is best enjoyed over the course of several days to a week. While visitors can make it around in one day, it is best to stop and savor the unique experiences and spend more time in areas that may peak their interests. Visitors can travel around the Loop in either direction, and depending on where they are coming from, they may wish to visit only a part of the Loop. To get the full experience of the Loop, it is really worth spending several days and visiting all regions. For those interested in the full experience, traveling in a counter-clockwise direction is recommended, starting with Region 1, Snohomish River Valley. Typical experiences within each region of the Cascade Loop are summarized on the following pages. These are the places to go and things to do that visitors should not miss, and that lead to lasting memories of the Cacade Loop. Suggested side trips, pull-off and viewpoint locations, and picnic spots also are highlighted.

A Tour around the Cascade Loop


The Snohomish River Valley is a great place to kick-off a Cascade Loop vacation. Visitors can start at the waterfront community of Mukilteo, known for its hospitality and stunning setting. Visitors enjoy exploring seaside shops and restaurants as well as the waterfront park and beautifully restored 1906 lighthouse. The Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry provides the opportunity for a truly memorable boat ride to Whidbey Island (approximately 30-minute crossing). Riders can walk on, take bicycles, or take their cars on the ferries.

While in Mukilteo, visitors can experience the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour located at Paine Field. Exciting aerospace exhibits and interactive displays, galleries, and gift shops add to the experience. Also at Paine Field, Paul Allen’s rare collection of vintage military aircraft can be viewed at the Flying Heritage Collection and Historic Flight Education Center, which offers a

collection of the most important aircraft from America’s past.

As visitors leave to travel north, they can visit the Cascade Loop’s largest metropolitan area, Everett. Resting on the shores of Port Gardner Bay, Everett boasts westerly views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, as well as easterly views of the Cascade Mountains. The Everett waterfront is home to the second largest marina on the West Coast. You’ll also find an authentic 1890s marina marketplace, hotel, fine restaurants,

Snohomish River Valley

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DORegion 1 extends from the shores of Puget Sound through the Snohomish River Valley and offers some of the more urban experiences of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, including destinations in and around Mukilteo, Everett, Snohomish, and Monroe.

1. Festivals and events: Snohomish Wine Festival, Sorticulture—Everett Garden Arts Festival, Everett’s Colors of Freedom 4th of July Celebration, Kla Ha Ya Days in Snohomish, Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, various rodeos, and more

2. Agritourism and culinary tourism opportunities, including u-pick farms and farm tours, farmers markets, farm-to-table eateries, wineries, and breweries

3. Unique cities and towns with walkable historic districts, museums, examples of Northwest and Coastal Salish Native American art and other arts, cultural, and recreation opportunities: Mukilteo and Everett (marine activities, wildlife/birds/whales and marine life watching); Snohomish (National Historic District, state/national historic registers, and “Antique Capital of the Northwest”); and Monroe (lake and river recreation with wildlife/bird watching, rafting, boating, fishing, etc.)

4. Mukilteo to Clinton Ferry/Ferry Terminal

5. Historic Mukilteo Lighthouse and Park and Mukilteo

6. Future of Flight Aviation Center, Boeing Tour, Museum of Flight Restoration Center, Historic Flight Education Center, and Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field/Mukilteo

7. Japanese Gulch and Big Gulch Trail systems in Mukilteo

8. Forest Park in Everett

9. Everett Performing Arts Center

10. Comcast Arena: Community Ice Rink, Concerts, Performances, Rodeo, Circus, and other events

11. Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett

12. Jetty Island Park in Everett

13. North and South View Parks Marine View Drive in Everett

14. Everett Aquasox Baseball

15. Port Gardner Bay/Everett Marina, Farmers Market, and Music at the Pier concert series

16. Schack Art Center in Everett

17. Spencer Island Park near Everett

18. Hibulb Cultural Center, Tulalip Tribes

19. Snohomish River and Valley (extensive historic and recreational opportunities such as hot air ballooning, scenic flights, and skydiving out of Harvey Field, Snohomish Airport)

EVERETT MARINASecond largest marina on the west coast.


a micro-brewery and pub, and seasonal farmers market. Visitors can take in the unforgettable scent of salt and sea, the sounds of lapping waves, and boats shuttling to and from the dock. Everett is also home to one of the nation’s best children’s museums, the Imagine Children’s Museum, a must-see for the kids as the level of interactivity and creativity will inspire memories that last a lifetime.

Heading east towards the mountains along State Route (SR) 2, visitors can stop and experience historic Snohomish, listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. Snohomish is known as the “Antique Capital of the Northwest” and shopping for treasures is convenient with more than 350 antique dealers, restaurants, and shops concentrated in a six-block section of

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPTravelers can stop at Spencer Island to explore 3.6 miles of trails, a boardwalk, and amazing bird watching with views of shorebirds, American bitterns, vireos, warblers, and other wildlife. From northbound I-5, take exit 195 and drive west on East Marine View Drive. Turn north onto the Highway 529 N ramp and drive over the bridge, then turn east onto 28th Place N and turn south onto 35th Avenue NE, followed by a turn east onto Ross Avenue. Bear right at the Y onto Smith Island Road and turn east onto 4th Street SE. Then, park and walk across the bridge to the island.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTSpencer Island provides great views and photo opportunities.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTMukilteo Lighthouse Park is a great spot to stop, spread out a blanket for a picnic, and enjoy the waterfront views before heading out on the Loop for more adventure.

20. Centennial Trail (Red Rooster Route Farm/Trail Guide) in Snohomish

21. Blackman House Museum in Snohomish

22. Pilchuck Park in Snohomish

23. Flowing Lake Park in Snohomish

24. Evergreen State Fair/Fairgrounds in Monroe (events year-round)

25. Lake Tye Park in Monroe (water sports such as boating and wakeboarding and various special events year-round)

26. Skykomish River Centennial Park/Skykomish River and Valley (extensive recreation opportunities including river and water sports, rafting, boating, fishing, etc.) in Monroe

27. Alderleaf Wilderness College and Vaux’s Swift (largest roost in America) in Monroe

28. Western Heritage Center in Monroe

29. Evergreen Speedway in Monroe

30. Reptile Zoo (just east of Monroe)

31. Tiny Church Wayside Chapel (Pause Rest and Worship stop open to all, located one mile west of Sultan)

town. This historic district boasts many beautiful Victorian and Arts & Crafts homes. The annual Historic Homes Tour is a must for those who appreciate this period of architecture.

Continuing east through the lush Snohomish Valley, green pastoral scenes intertwine with river and tributary corridors. Lake Tye is a favorite spot for wakeboarders and boaters. The King of Wake Pro Wakeboard Tour is held here every year.

The town of Monroe is a busy commercial hub located ten miles east of Snohomish, near the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers. Monroe provides events and festivals for automobile enthsiasts year-round, as well as opportunities for fishing, rafting, and other river sports. Monroe is also home to the annual Evergreen State Fair, an eleven-day event held in late August through Labor Day. The fairgrounds also houses the Evergreen Speedway and the Western Heritage Center. Bicycle enthusiasts and sightseers in general appreciate Monroe’s agricultural roots and the many miles of country roads that wind through lush and scenic farmlands.

FUTURE OF FLIGHT GALLERY

MUKILTEO LIGHTHOUSEContinues to guide ocean vessels

Interactive exhibits and displays allow you to digitally design your own airplane.


East of Monroe, SR 2 follows the rushing Skykomish River and ascends the west slope of the Cascades to Stevens Pass, reaching an elevation of 4,061 feet above sea level. This portion of the Cascade Loop is a National Scenic Byway and home to some of the most inspired views, hikes, and natural landscapes in the state. Lush forests anchor either side of the highway, including areas of Old Growth. Stevens Pass Greenway is named for John Frank Stevens, the first non-native person to find the pass, but also for the deep green forests that line this part of the Loop.

In late Spring and early Summer, the Skykomish River is a favorite of whitewater rafters. Fishermen line the banks and driftboats float the more tranquil waters that surround favorite fishing holes. Mid-summer brings throngs of hikers and day-trippers eager to take in views of alpine lakes, soaring peaks, and abundant wildlife. Autumn (particularly the first two weeks in October) brings the vivid and brilliant shades of gold, orange, and shocking red leaves, while Winter ushers in skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Travelers should be prepared to encounter snow in this area when traveling in winter and early spring.

Stevens Pass Greenway is one of the most eco-friendly byways in the US, with access to multiple hydro-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. (See Chapter 4 for a map of current EV charging stations.)

As the highway meanders through the foothills of the Cascades, several small historic towns, some with mining and logging history, provide a glimpse into eras of the past. Sultan, Startup and Gold Bar are communities rich in history, local charm, and abundant outdoor activities and home to restaurants, bakeries, and shops that are

Stevens PassGreenway

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DORegion 2 offers abundant river access and scenic viewing opportunities year-round via public parks and waterfront sites for wildlife watching, river rafting, fishing, and other unique experiences and activities.

1. Festivals and events: Sultan Shindig, Gold Dust Days in Goldbar, Index Art Festival, Sky Valley Farm Festival, Return of the Salmon Celebration, and more

2. Surrounding national forest lands (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan National Forests) and recreational opportunities (walking, hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife/bird watching, snowmobiling in select areas, and more)

3. Watch whitewater kayakers & rafters in Class 5 rapids at Milepost 34 or head out for your own rafting and kayaking excursions on the Skykomish River

4. Skykomish River and Valley: river access, wildlife/bird watching, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more

5. Small, historic towns of Sultan (historic downtown with visitor center and museum, Grow Washington local store), Startup, Gold Bar, Index (interpretive center), Baring (store in historic building), Grotto, and Skykomish (historic town center and miniature railroad)

6. Sky Valley Visitor Center and Sky Valley Historical Society Museum in Sultan

7. Osprey Park in Sultan at 1st & High Street with wetlands, riparian eco-system & salmon spawning along one-mile river walk, trails, nature, restrooms and more

8. Sportsmen Park and nearby Wallace River Salmon Hatchery in Sultan (river and fishing access, picnicking, and more)

9. Waterfalls: Wallace Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Canyon Falls, Eagle Falls, Alpine Falls, Deception Falls, and others (for a closer look at Bridal Veil Falls, visitors can hike the Lake Serene Trail, following the spur trails to viewing deck)

10. Wallace Falls State Park (near Gold Bar with a seven-mile loop trail offering panoramic views from the top of the 265’ falls )

11. Pickett Interpretive Museum in Index (mining, quarrying, logging and area’s natural disasters are featured; June through August weekends)

12. Mount Index scenic qualities and rock climbing at the Index Town Wall and Mount Index

13. Doolittle Park in Index

14. Wild Sky Wilderness Area (north of Index and Skykomish in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

15. Heybrook Historic Fire Lookout Station (strenuous hike to lookout structure; trailhead is two miles east of steel bridge across Skykomish River on north side of SR 2)

IRON GOAT TRAILFollow the railbed trail to the historic Wellington townsite


popular stops for travelers heading into and out of the mountains. This area of the Loop affords spectacular river rafting, hiking, and fishing opportunities. Scenic, cascading waterfalls are treasures waiting to be found. Wallace Falls near Gold Bar (an easy detour off the main route) offers scenic hiking with stunning views of the 265-foot-high falls.

Continuing east, the charming town of Index is one mile off Highway 2, nestled between the North Fork of the Skykomish River and the famous granite rock wall popular with climbers year-round. This small town offers a leisurely walk along historic streets or serves as a launching site for active outdoor adventures on the river, rock wall or a hike into the nearby wilderness area.

Two more beautiful waterfalls are visible from the road near Index, Bridal Veil Falls and Sunset Falls. Bridal Veil Falls careens down a rock face

16. Barclay Creek Trail (north on Barclay Creek Road #6024 at Baring)

17. Old Cascade Scenic Highway (13.3 mile side loop route, from Money Creek Bridge to Stevens Pass Ski Area)

18. Iron Goat Interpretive Site/Trail (SR 2 Milepost 58.3, rest stop with short and long trail options, historic caboose & 1892 remnant rail line and interpretation)

19. Historic Wellington Town Site

20. Cascade Tunnel (longest railroad tunnel in the US)

21. Winter recreation: snowboarding & downhill skiing at Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard Resort with 1,125 skiable acres and 1,800 vertical feet, ten chair lifts, three day lodges, snow play area, and night skiing; mountain bike trails in the summer (Stevens Pass Bike Park) and hiking trails with connection to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

22. Cross-country skiing at Stevens Pass Nordic Center

23. Coles Corner (from here, proceed east on SR 2 to Leavenworth, or take the back road, SR 207, through Plain, which also leads to Leavenworth)

to form two wispy veils in the summer, while Sunset Falls rushes through the widest point of the Skykomish River’s South Fork.

The area between Index and Skykomish is designated the Wild Sky Wilderness Area and is home to a diversity of wildlife and stunning scenery. The historic town of Skykomish was a well known railroad town and is on the Historic Register. Today, Skykomish is a perfect jumping-off point for nature seekers and adventure in the Cascades and it’s the last stop for services before Stevens Pass. It’s a great place to stock up on supplies or get a meal before hitting the trail or back country.

As the journey around the Loop presses further east, more surprises await. Deception Falls thunders beside the highway near milepost 56. The Iron Goat Interpretive Site provides an interesting rest stop as well as an opportunity to learn about the railroad history of the pass.

There is a remnant of the 1892 Great Northern Railroad line with a historic caboose on display. From here, after just two more winding miles, visitors will reach the top of Stevens Pass with sweeping views of forested peaks and winter time skiing and snowboarding opportunities. This area is also near multiple trailheads including the famous Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from Mexico to Canada across the US.

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPA visit to Osprey Park, located at 1st and High Street in Sultan makes a great side trip. Thousands of pink salmon fight their way up the Sultan River to spawn, and this park offers a front row seat to this amazing struggle, which occurs each odd year.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTDeception Falls picnic area is located approximately ten miles east of Skykomish at Milepost 56. Take the trail to view waterfall, and meander through the forest and over the waterways in this family-friendly location.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTWallace Falls, east of Gold Bar is a must-see view. To get there, Loop travelers can turn north at Milepost 28 and follow the signs.

SKYKOMISH RIVERWhitewater rafting is a great way to cool off in the summer.


As travelers continue their journey eastward, they will go through Coles Corner, at the junction with Route 207. From here, visitors can either proceed on SR 2 to Leavenworth or take the 207 loop route, which provides access to beautiful Lake Wenatchee and recreation opportunities such as camping, boating, swimming, and other activities. Trout fishing is excellent in Lake Wenatchee and nearby Fish Lake. Following Route 207 on to Plain, visitors can experience a friendly alpine community situated between Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth. In warmer months, visitors can spend the day exploring the area on guided horseback riding tours, take a spin by bike, or break out the hiking boots and visit local trails. Floating the Wenatchee River is hugely popular, as is bird watching. During Winter months, skiers can experience the incredible cross-country ski trails, which are impeccably groomed and start near the Plain Hardware Store, as well as trails at Lake Wenatchee State Park. Snowmobiling and sleigh rides are other popular winter activities in this area.

Travelers staying on SR 2 at Coles Corner will continue down the majestic Tumwater

Canyon, winding and twisting through the rocky gorge cut by the Wenatchee River. The famous, award-winning Bavarian Village of Leavenworth was named the “ultimate holiday town” and chosen by the Travel Channel as the “Most Christmassy Place in America.” Leavenworth is comprised of buildings and signs with ornate woodwork and elaborate Bavarian motifs. Exceptional dining is abundant, along with locally-owned gourmet shops, wine tasting rooms, and craft breweries. Local shops present all manner of unique treasures from hard-to-find imported gifts to locally-sourced, handcrafted items. Hundreds of planter boxes, flowerpots, blossoming gardens, and hanging baskets turn the town into a dazzling display of color from Spring through Fall. Mother Nature brings her own touch as the seasons change. The countryside explodes with rich Autumn hues each Fall, a welcome treat for Oktoberfest visitors. The “Today Show” and “Conde Nast Traveler” have recognized Leavenworth as a top destination for unusual and unique Fall foliage. As the seasons change once again, a shimmering blanket of snow covers the town and valley, adding to the magic and charm of this popular destination.

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DOThere are so many things to do and see in Region 3, from river rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking, to visiting a myriad of local farm and fruit stands as well as unique festivals and events, many popular activities draw visitors throughout the year. Spectacular views of Mount Cashmere, Peshastin Pinnacles, and the river valley add to the scenic qualities of this region of the Cascade Loop.

1. Festivals and events: Taste of Leavenworth, Maifest in Leavenworth, Leavenworth Bird Fest, Leavenworth Wine Walk and Wine Tasting Festival, Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, Cashmere Founders’ Days, Kinderfest, 4th of July Celebration, Chelan County Fair, Bike & Brew Festival, Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, Oktoberfest, Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth (nationally recognized and acclaimed), Ice Fest, Leavenworth Art in the Park (Pacific Northwest’s longest continually-running outdoor art show), Wenatchee River Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, and more

2. Lake Wenatchee/Plain/Leavenworth Mini-Loop Route (Follow 207 and Chumstick Highway

a. Camping, fishing, trails/hiking, boating, picnicking and other activities at Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, Wenatchee Ridge, and surrounding areas

b. Lake Wenatchee State Park: XC skiing, fishing, camping and more

c. Soapstone Park/geologic history

d. Sugarloaf Peak Fire Lookout station

e. Scenic views and overlooks throughout the mini-loop

3. Historic town of Plain: guided horseback riding tours, sleigh rides and wagon rides, cross-country skiing, snowmobiing, and more

4. Scottish Lakes High Camp (skiing, showshoeing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, cabins/lodging)

5. Recreation opportunities in the surrounding national forest lands (Okanogan-Wenatchee NF) and other public lands, including camping at Tumwater, Soda Springs, and many other campgrounds; destination for rock climbing; picnicking at the Swift Water wayside and many other sites; wildlife/bird watching; snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing; and 800 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking (Freund Canyon ranked as one of the best mountain biking trails in the world); Devil’s Gulch

6. Agritourism and culinary tourism opportunities: fruit industry of North Central Washington, farm and fruit stands and tours of orchards and vineyards, cider-making, wineries and wine-tasting, farm to table/fresh local foods, #1 exporter of organic pears in the US, award-winning brewery, and more

7. Wenatchee River and Valley recreation (whitewater rafting/kayaking), scenic qualities, and history including Native American heritage

Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills


incredible award-winning wines regularly produced here. Vineyards roll across the terrain between Leavenworth, Cashmere, and Wenatchee, where visitors can stop for wine tasting, a tour of the vineyards, or even a winemaker’s dinner.

In addition to wine, other artisanal beverages are produced in the valley, including popular craft ciders. The town of Cashmere is home to a unique cider mill, which is a great place to sample hand-crafted, award winning ciders and gourmet fare. While Cashmere is known for its old-fashioned, down-home charm and boasts a rich history and appreciation for its heritage, it also offers some truly exciting and progressive culinary experiences. There are locally-owned coffee shops, and of course, several establishments carry Aplets and Cotlets®, a famous fruity treat of the region. Visitors can tour the local factory to watch the manufacturing of the sugar-dusted fruit confections, and can learn more about the area’s history by touring the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village, home to incredible historic collections and Native American artifacts. The lush lawn surrounding the museum is also home to twenty original pioneer structures and is a popular destination for guests and locals alike. Cashmere is also home to antique shops including the largest antiques gallery in the Northwest, where visitors can spend hours exploring the high-quality collection of antiques, collectibles, and other vintage treasures.

Leavenworth has a year-round schedule of festivals and events, and new events are added each year. The arts are also deeply ingrained in the village. Visitors interested in the arts can explore Art in the Park or take in the wide variety of performing arts such as the Leavenworth Summer Theater or live music performances in the lush natural environment of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts.

Eastward from Leavenworth, Cascade Loop travelers continue to follow the Wenatchee River, meandering past the communities of Peshastin, Dryden, and Cashmere. The Wenatchee River is hugely popular for river rafting with Class 5 rapids guaranteed to thrill. Visitors can enjoy rafting, tubing/floating, kayaking, and canoeing. Consulting local rafting and tubing companies for guided tours is recommended. Whitewater season generally begins with spring runoff in April continuing through early September each year.

There are a wide variety of outdoor activities available. The Peshastin Pinnacles State Park is a great place to visit for rock climbing and hiking with 1.5 miles of trails. The remarkable sandstone pinnacles are located just off the highway.

World-renowned produce has been grown in this area since the late 1800s. This is the heart of Washington’s famous apple country. Visitors can stop at many fruit stands along the route, to enjoy local fruit, vegetables, crafts, preserves, and more. The wine industry has blossomed in the area with

8. Bavarian Leavenworth with many cultural, historic (Upper Valley Museum), and recreational activities and events year-round, as well as art galleries, agritourism/culinary, shopping, and more

9. Leavenworth Art Walk and Garden Tour

10. Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth

11. Icicle Junction Activities Center in Leavenworth

12. Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course and other golfing opportunities in Leavenworth and surrounding area

13. Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery

14. Outdoor Summer Theater under the stars in Leavenworth

15. Leavenworth Waterfront Park/interpretive walk and birding

16. Leavenworth Ski Hill

17. Peshastin/Dryden/Peshastin Pinnacles State Park

18. Cashmere Historic Mission District and Cottage Avenue Historic District

19. Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village/Chelan County Historical Society

20. Aplets and Cotlets® treats and candy-making tours in Cashmere

21. Antiques shopping in Cashmere

22. Cider Mill in Cashmere

23. Chelan County Fair in Cashmere

24. Mountain biking (Mission Ridge & Devil’s Gulch trails are two of the top mountain biking destinations in the Pacific Northwest; trails start at the headwaters of Mission Creek near Cashmere)

25. Old Monitor Road loop route (for bicycling and scenic side tour), from downtown Cashmere to Confluence State Park in Wenatchee

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTWaterfront Park and Blackbird Island in Leavenworth, accessible from Front Street; a great place to picnic and watch wildlife.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTTumwater Canyon is home to several pull-offs for fantastic views of the Wenatchee River and surrounding rocky peaks, and world-renowned fall foliage.

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPLake Wenatchee/Plain Loop (follow Route 207 from Coles Corner)


The Wenatchee Valley is the Apple Capital of the World. Upon arrival, visitors encounter miles of rolling farmlands and orchards of apples, pears, cherries, and apricots flanking both sides of the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers. The semi-arid terrain combines with hot summer sun and abundant irrigation water from the rivers to yield ideal produce growing conditions. Fruit stands dot the countryside offering visitors a wide array of local treasures, some of which can be packed away for a later picnic. Wine grapes also thrive in the Wenatchee Valley’s fertile environment with several wineries and boutique wine shops in this region that offer more delights for visitors.

One of the best vantage points for scanning the region is the world-class Ohme Gardens, perched high on a bluff overlooking the Wenatchee Valley. Alpine garden lovers have been drawn to Ohme Gardens since its opening in 1929. With sprawling lawns, an incredibly

diverse selection of flowers and plants, and towering trees, the effect is a cooling, shaded respite that is especially welcome during Wenatchee’s hot mid-summer months.

Downtown Wenatchee is another draw for Cascade Loop travelers. Visitors can explore the National Historic District and chat with friendly shop-owners. Wenatchee boasts an outstanding selection of boutiques, galleries, cafés, and always inspiring outdoor public art, including Art on the Avenues stunning outdoor sculptures that change annually, drawing art-loving fans back year after year. Other key destinations include the riverfront and Pybus Market, which opened Spring of 2013, and the

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DOAt the heart of the North Central Washington fruit industry, this region is full of opportunities for visitors to experience agritourism, with fruit and farm stands, orchards, vineyards, wineries, and fresh local foods. There are also abundant recreation opportunities year-round and places to learn about the area’s rich history.

1. Festivals and events: Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, Northwest Mariachi Festival, Fiestas Mexicanas in Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley Street Rods and Apple Run Car Show, Chrysler Antique Car Show, Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, Wings and Wheels Festival (Spirit of Wenatchee/Miss Veedol replica plane on display), and more

2. Agritourism and culinary tourism opportunities: fruit industry of North Central Washington, farm and fruit stands and tours of orchards and vineyards, wineries and wine-tasting, farm to table/fresh local foods, and farmers market

3. Historic Downtown Wenatchee Walking Tour and Art on the Avenues including sculpture gardens; also xeriscape gardens

4. Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee

5. Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail/Wenatchee Riverfront Park/Walla Walla Point Park

6. Wenatchee Confluence State Park at the Columbia and Wenatchee River confluence

7. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway

8. Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center

9. Bridge of Friendship Garden (East Wenatchee)

10. Columbia River Bridge (Old Wenatchee Bridge)

11. Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball

12. Wenatchee Foothills trail system

13. Ohme Gardens

14. Ice Age Floods Geological Trail (self-driving tour)

15. Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort

16. Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center

17. David Thompson 1811 historic landing site at Rock Island

18. Rock Island Hydro Park

19. Lincoln Rock/Lincoln Rock State Park

20. Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center in Entiat

21. Entiat Park on Lake Entiat/Columbia River

22. Entiat Waterfront Trail/Water Access/Marina

23. Abby Dabby Park/Columbia River overlook

24. Entiat Fish Hatchery/Silver Falls (camping, short hike to falls)

25. Entiat River Valley trails and recreation (29 miles upvalley)

DOWNTOWN WENATCHEE

Wenatchee / Columbia River Valley

Fresh young boutiques thrive next to hundred-year-old businesses


American tribes of the region, early settlers, steam boaters, lumbermen, and railroaders, shown in life-size photos at the Museum of the Columbia on-site. A historic tramway that has been reconstructed from original parts is on display. Visitors can also check out the fish ladder and go into the fish viewing room, where gigantic and small fish pass just beyond the window. Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center and the Museum of the Columbia are open to the public from March 1 through October 31.

Continuing north, Entiat is the next town and is home to the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center, where visitors can take a self-guided walk to learn about the role wildfires play in the forest environment. Numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas are accessible in the Entiat River Valley on national forest lands.

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, home to collections of local historical artifacts, contemporary displays, and an outstanding gift shop.

The Wenatchee Valley offers abundant options for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, paddling, jet skiing, and boating in the warm months, and skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the Winter. The Apple Capital Loop Trail offers eleven miles of paved riverfront trail access (and birding opportunities). A trip to nearby Mission Ridge delivers world-class skiing and snowboarding. For more detailed information on outdoor recreation, visit www.wenatcheeoutdoors.com.

The Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center is another interesting stop. Located north of Wenatchee via Highway 97-A, on the west side of the Columbia River. The shady grounds around the visitor center serve as a nice place for a picnic, and there is also an outdoor playground. Visitors can learn about the history of Native

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPSilver Falls Trail—head 29.5 miles on FS Road 51 up the Entiat River Valley, hike 1.5 miles from the trailhead to see stunning waterfalls.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTOhme Gardens offers sweeping views of the entire valley with lots of photo opportunities—from SR 2 take a left on Easy Street, right on Ohme Gardens Road and follow the signs.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTApple Capital Recreational Loop Trail is a great place to enjoy river views and incredible fresh air. There are several ways to access the trail. One option is via the walking bridge at First Street in downtown Wenatchee.

ENTIAT MEADOWS

OHME GARDENS

SILVER FALLS TRAIL

Shimmering pools and shady evergreen pathways

Spring hiking offers incredible views.

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Cascades (Washington Trails Association)


Generations of families have been making the journey to beautiful Lake Chelan each year to enjoy year-round recreation opportunities and the spectacular waterfront setting. The 50-mile-long lake is fairly narrow but very deep, slicing northwestward into the Cascade Mountains. The Native American word Chelan (originally spelled Tsillan) means “deep notch”—a justifiable distinction considering it is the third deepest lake in America. The frigid waters of Lake Chelan are home to ling cod, lake trout, silver salmon, and Chinook salmon. Rainbow trout and smallmouth bass are abundant in the shallower, warmer waters near shore. The lower end of the lake is home to the

resort communities of Chelan and Manson, which both feature water recreation, visitor amenities, and resort facilities. Visitors can enjoy exceptional gourmet fare, locally-owned wineries, art galleries, and shopping at abundant boutique and gift shops. There are a variety of accommodations housed on long, sandy beaches with stellar lakefront views. Swimmers play in the shallow shoreline waters, while boats of all types slice through deeper water offshore.

Lake Chelan Wine Valley became one of Washington State’s designated American Viticultural Areas (AVA), with numerous boutique wineries, more than 150 acres of

LEAVENWORTH

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DOVisitors can enjoy abundant agritourism opportunities at local farms, farm stands, blueberry u-pick, vineyards/wineries (designated AVA area), orchards, and markets.

1. Festivals and events: Earth Day Fair (Chelan), Lake Chelan Nouveau Wine Release, Manson Apple Blossom, Chelan Nouveau, Lake Chelan Spring Barrel Tasting, Cruzin’ Chelan Muscle Car Show, Century Cycle Challenge, Manson 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, Lake Chelan Bach Fest, Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, Chelan Ridge Hawk Festival, Mahogany and Merlot Vintage Boat Fest, Hydrofest, Lake Chelan Crush Classic, Red Wine and Chocolate, Fall Barrel Tasting in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, Sailing Regatta, Shore to Shore Boston Marathon Qualifier, Winterfest Fire and Ice Celebration, Rodeo, and more

2. Agritourism and culinary recreation opportunities such as local farmers markets, farm stands, U-pick blueberries, orchards, and more

3. Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation with 22 wineries and 3 tasting rooms

4. Lake Chelan (scenic beauty; recreation—water sports, parasailing, flyboarding, boating, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding, sailing; and history/Discover Lake Chelan Historical Tour)

5. Diverse, year-round recreation opportunities throughout Lake Chelan area public lands (local parks, state parks including Lake Chelan and 25 Mile Creek State Parks, state wildlife areas, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, and North Cascades National Park complex for trails, access to backcountry, snowmobiling

6. Historic Downtown Chelan (Historic Ruby Theater, Campbell’s Resort history, National Main Street designation, downtown walking tour of historic Chelan, and more)

7. Don Morse Memorial Park in Chelan and other city parks, public beaches and marinas (Manson Bay, Lakeside Park, Chelan Riverwalk Park loop trail, and more)

8. Lake Chelan Valley Historical Society’s Museum and rich history including the heritage of the Wapato and Colville Tribes

9. Lady of the Lake passenger ferry trip uplake from Chelan (access to Stehekin with stops on the way)

10. Uplake Places to Visit (by boat or floatplane):

a. Historic Holden Village (retreat center/Holden Mine remediation)

b. Lucerne Village (private community with public camping around Refrigerator Harbor; can walk around village)

c. Domke Lake (pictographs, hiking, make reservations for camping)

d. Stehekin (National Historic District with biking, hiking, sight-seeing/Rainbow Falls, horseback riding, Stehekin River fishing and rafting, and other recreational opportunities in the area and upvalley; can also hike into Stehekin via Cascade Pass/Pacific Crest Trail from Marblemount)

Lake Chelan Valley

LAKE CHELAN VINEYARDSOver 150 acres of vineyards, including estate wineries


often yields views of mountain goats, bear, deer, sheep, and a variety of birds.

For a trip off the beaten path, visitors can take a trip to Stehekin, located at the north end of Lake Chelan. Stehekin is only accessible by boat or float plane; there are no roads to this tiny uplake mountain wilderness village. Passenger ferries provide service to Stehekin for a fee. While in Stehekin visitors can enjoy whitewater rafting, horseback riding, kayaking, bicycling, and fishing. The Stehekin Valley is the southern gateway to the North Cascades National Park and the National Park Service manages several public sites. Historic Buckner Orchard displays tools and techniques early settlers used to make a living in the valley over a century ago. Rainbow Falls, a picturesque 312’ waterfall, is another must-see site. Hundreds of miles of trails carry hikers into four adjoining wilderness areas. The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is a short walk from the boat landing and includes a small store for last minute items, with friendly service and local hospitality.

During the Winter, Lake Chelan is a snow-covered wonderland. Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at Echo Valley, with three rope tows and a 1,400-foot lift. Echo Ridge also offers miles of cross-country skiing, as well as hiking and biking trails.

vineyards including estate wineries, 110 acres of additional grape production, and tasting rooms all around the lake.

Manson, located seven scenic miles uplake from Chelan on SR 150, is a friendly, rural village flanked by verdant vineyards and orchards. The town’s centerpiece is a lovely waterfront park at Manson Bay with picnic facilities, swim areas, and boat moorage. Visitors can meander along Manson’s Scenic Drive for great views of Chelan, Wapato, and Dry Lakes.

State parks and Forest Service campgrounds along the entire length of the lake offer plenty of opportunities to plan boat trips lasting several days with overnight stops along the way. Along the steeper south shore, the paved highway ends at 25-ile Creek State Park. Lake Chelan State Park also features picnicking, camping, water sports, and boat launching facilities. Lake Chelan State Park is about 9 miles before the end of the road and 25-mile Creek State Park. Wildlife watching in this area

e. Buckner Homestead and Orchard (historic site managed by the National Park Service)

11. Echo Ridge Outdoor Recreation Area and Echo Valley Ski and Tubing Area

12. Roses Lake Ice Fishing (not open every year; check washingtonlakes.com for lake access/safety conditions)

13. Manson Scenic Loop

14. Manson Village (fantastic artisan food and wine experience; Manson Heritage Tree and other monuments)

15. Manson Lakefront Park & Marina

16. Chelan River Gorge and waterway/Reach One Trail

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPThere are plenty of side trips around Lake Chelan with access to wineries, parks, trailheads and more. Visitors can take the Manson Scenic Drive to the village of Manson on Lake Chelan (SR 150 from downtown Chelan) for fine or casual dining, quaint shops, and fun recreation. Another great side trip if traveling to Stehekin is a bike ride to Rainbow Falls. Bike rentals are available when you get off the boat in Stehekin.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTOne of the best views may be from the water, so try out the passenger ferry service that takes visitors uplake to Stehekin. Breaktaking views of crystal clear water, jagged bordering peaks of the North Cascades, the historic village of Stehekin (the final destination) await.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTThe waterfront park in Historic Downtown Chelan is a great place for a sunny, lakeside picnic (accessible from main street). Visitors can pick up picnic goods from any one of Chelan’s friendly, locally-owned gourmet shops or restaurants.

SEAPLANE

FISHING

17. Chelan Butte (scenic area and air sports area that is home to world championship hang-gliding and paragliding)

18. Lake Chelan Butte Trail and Lookout

19. Chelan Airport skydiving

20. Chelan Fish Hatchery/Interpretive Center

21. Beebe Springs Natural Area

22. Beebe Bridge/Bridge Park

23. Chelan Falls Historic Powerhouse

24. McNeil Canyon Road (scenic drive)

25. Scenic view of Lake Chelan when coming in from the east via Alt Highway 97

State record lake trout caught here in February, 2013

No roads connect to Stehekin. The town is only accessible by seaplane, boat, or hiking.


Region 6 starts north of Lake Chelan Valley via Highway 97, reaching the waterfront town of Pateros, which is an excellent jumping off point for wilderness recreation. Pateros is the gateway to the Methow Valley as well as the Okanogan Valley to the north (via the Okanogan Trails Scenic Byway, which also connects to the Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway). The compact community is perched at the confluence of the Columbia and Methow Rivers, a position that lends itself nicely to world-class sports fishing and bird watching. Look for bald and golden eagles, ospreys and kestrels. Memorial Park along the river, is a great place to take in the views. Pateros’ main street runs adjacent to a fine waterfront park with camping, picnicking, day use, and boating

facilities. Visitors can stop for a quick snack or meal at multiple restaurants on Lakeshore Drive and elsewhere in town. Extending from the confluence of the rivers at Pateros to the crest of the North Cascades Mountains, the Methow Valley is an active lifestyle destination with tons of year-round outdoor recreation opportunities for all interests, ages, and abilities.

During Winter, The Methow Valley offers nearly 200 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails, and the whole valley is accessible via skis. This is North America’s largest Nordic ski trail network and the centerpiece of the valley’s trail-based recreation. In warmer months, bicyclists and hikers enjoy these same scenic trails and others. There are hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, walking, and biking all throughout the valley and in the surrounding national forest and national park lands.

The beautiful high meadows of the Methow Valley are another treat for visitors. At every turn in the road there is a spectacular pastoral view with dramatic mountain peaks in the background. Working farms and ranches dot the landscape. To some, the Methow may appear to be Washington state’s “Wild West.”

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DO As an active lifestyle destination, The Methow Valley offers many year-round outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as arts and culture such as live theater, art galleries, studios, and public art. The surrounding national forest and national park lands are the playgrounds for visitors, along with the valley floor’s hundreds of miles of trails for year-round use (and the nation’s largest cross-country ski area). The unique small towns serve as windows into the local ways of life in the valley.

1. Festivals and events: Ride to Rendezvous Horseback & Wagon Ride, 49’er Days in Winthrop, Methow Valley Rodeo, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues, Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree, Methow Valley Chamber Music, Hydro Classic (Pateros), Winthrop Antique Auto Rallye, and more

2. Historic towns: Pateros, Methow, Carlton, Twisp, Winthrop, and Mazama with much to offer (see below for specific places and things to do in and near these towns)

3. Wells Dam Recreation Area on the Columbia River

4. Gateway to Okanogan Trails Scenic Byway & Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway

5. Columbia River/Methow River confluence/Lake Pateros

6. World famous salmon and steelhead fishing

7. Alta Lake/Alta Lake State Park

8. TwispWorks Arts and Heritage Resource Center (working artist studios open Saturdays) and Confluence Gallery and Art Center in Twisp

9. Methow Valley Interpretive Center (Native American and natural history in Twisp)

10. Twisp Farmers Market (one of Washington’s first)

11. Twisp Visitor Center

12. Winthrop Visitor Center

13. Winthrop Historic Western Town (experience the Spirit of the Old West with false-front buildings & wooden sidewalks)

14. Shafer Museum housed in the historic Guy Waring Log Cabin (built in 1879)

15. Methow River (easy, family-friendly river floats)

16. Many lakes (including Pearrygin Lake at Pearrygin Lake State Park, Patterson Lake, Twin Lake and others)

17. Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area (fishing and backpacking)

18. Methow Valley Ski Trails, North America’s largest Nordic ski trail network

19. Mountain biking trail networks for all levels, including Starvation Mountain (24-mile single track mountain bike loop) and world-class hiking trails with wheelchair accessible areas and highly technical hikes

The MethowValley

LEAVENWORTH

HORSEBACK RIDINGPlan a trip into the high mountains.


street boardwalks and browse art galleries, museums, boutiques, and of course, locally-sourced cuisine at a variety of local restaurants and breweries. There are several places to stay overnight. The Winthrop artisan market is a great place to visit on summer Sundays.

The Methow Valley is a good place to get everything you need before heading out on the Cascade Loop and across the North Cascades, because it will be nearly 90 miles before the next service station.

Beyond Winthrop, the highway, which is now SR 20, gradually climbs beside the Methow River into Mazama. Visitors will find overnight accommodations and renowned northwest cuisine here, and it’s a great place to spend the night before heading over the North Cascades. When heading out toward the west, visitors are greeted with magnificent views of the mountains. The approach to Washington Pass is absolutely spectacular with dramatic scenery all around. (This is one of the primary reasons for the suggested counter-clockwise travel around the Loop. The scenery at this location is not as dramatic when traveling from west to east.)

The landscape is reminiscent of a Russell or Remington painting—look for cattle, horses, and even an occasional tumbleweed rolling across the plains. The jagged Cascades form a backdrop for stands of quaking aspen trees, log ranch homes, and the meandering Methow and Chewuch Rivers. Meadows and grassy hillsides give way to stands of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir at higher elevations.

Following SR 153 northwestward, visitors can experience the tiny communities of Methow and Carlton before reaching the largest town and social hub of the region, Twisp, a decidedly laid-back, artistic and welcoming community. Methow Valley Arts (www.methowvalleyarts.org) is the place to go to learn about the local arts scene in The Methow Valley. Restaurants favor locally-grown and harvested ingredients, so travelers can expect fresh and flavorful cuisine. Twisp Farmers Market is open Saturdays from April through October, offering fresh-from-the-farm produce and there are several local food crafters including award-winning, nationally-acclaimed coffee roasters.

Just minutes up the valley from Twisp, Winthrop looks like the set of a Western movie with its false-front wooden buildings, hitching rails, and boardwalks. Winthrop is a thriving community offering the facilities and services you’d expect from a major recreation and vacation destination. Visitors can explore the main

20. Falls Creek waterfalls (wheelchair accessible)

21. Paysaten Wilderness, Hart’s Pass (highest drivable point in Washington), and Robinson Creek (trails, horse packing and backpacking, and more)

22. Lookout Mountain trails

23. Big Valley Recreation Area trails

24. Twisp River Recreation Area

25. Loup Loup Ski Bowl and mountain bike trail network

26. North Cascades smoke-jumper base (north of Twisp; birthplace of smoke-jumping)

27. Unique bridges (SaTeekh Wa Bridge, Spring Creek Bridge, Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge, )

28. Fun Rock and Goat Wall rock climbing; access to Goat Wall overlook/Goat Peak (out of Mazama)

29. Heli-skiing (out of Mazama)

30. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail access near Mazama

31. Early Winters & Klipchuck Campgrounds; Cedar Creek Trail

32. Lone Fir campground/interpretive loop trail

33. Cutthroat Lake Trail

34. Washington Pass overlook/Blue Lake Trailhead/Gateway to the North Cascades (spectacular views of Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires)

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPOkanogan Trails Scenic Byway - from Pateros, follow US Highway 97 North.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTMemorial Park in Pateros with beautiful riverfront views

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTWashington Pass overlook—sweeping views of the Methow Valley

DOWNTOWN WINTHROP49er Days


As you head westward on SR 20, prepare for stunning scenery all around. The North Cascades Scenic Highway is one of America’s most spectacular mountain drives. Characterized by rugged beauty, this steep mountain range is filled with jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, mountain lakes and meadows, and hundreds of glaciers. It’s no surprise that the Cascades are often labeled the “North American Alps” and that the region receives incredible amounts of snowfall each year. Because of the abundant precipitation, SR 20 closes from Milepost 171 (west of Mazama) to Milepost 134 (east of Diablo) each year, usually from late November through late April.

Heading into the mountains from Mazama, passing the massive bulk of Liberty Bell and Early Winter’s spires, the route climbs steeply toward Washington Pass and Rainy Pass viewpoints (Milepost 162 and 157.6). These are great places to stop and enjoy unique mountain vistas and accessible trails, normally snow free from July through October. A beautiful 1/4 mile loop trail takes off from the Washington Pass Overlook (MP 162), the highest point on the North Cascades Highway. Numerous other forested hikes venture from the highway, including the

Pacific Crest Trail. Blue Lake is always a popular hike too, just over two miles off the highway, offering crystal blue lake views. Fall is a great time to take in this hike as the lake is surrounded by golden larch trees, providing brilliant color contrast for incredible photo opportunities.

After traveling twenty miles west of Washington Pass and Rainy Pass, SR 20 traverses the Ross Lake National Recreation Area located in the North Cascades National Park Complex. This 30-mile stretch offers great recreational opportunities and easy access to many sites in the North Cascades. Views from the Ross and Diablo Lake overlooks reach north to Canada and south to the most glaciated valley in North America outside of Alaska. Colonial Creek and Newhalem

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DO This region is all about exploring the North Cascades. Millions of acres of national forest and national park lands are accessible to the public, with abundant opportunities for hiking trails, camping, picnicking, wildlife watching, rock climbing, and other adventures.

1. Rainy Pass Travelers Rest/Rainy Lake Trail and Picnic Area (wheelchair accessible), Maple Pass/Lake Ann trail loop (one of the best hikes in Washington) and other trails

2. North Cascades National Park & Ross Lake National Recreation Area (abundant recreation throughout the entire area)

a. Canyon Creek Trail

b. Ross Lake/overlooks

c. Happy Creek Forest Walk

d. Thunder Knob Trail/Park Creek Trail

e. Diablo Lake Trail/overlook

f. Colonial Creek/Thunder Woods Nature Trail

g. Diablo Dam/Diablo Lake/lake tours

h. North Cascades Institute/Environmental Learning Center

i. Gorge Creek Falls/trail/viewpoint

j. Newhalem/Skagit boat, lake & dam tours

k. Newhalem area trails/Newhalem Creek/Goodall Creek

l. North Cascades National Park Visitor Center (Newhalem)

m. North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center (Marblemount/backcountry permits)

3. Historic Town of Marblemount/access to Cascade Pass

4. Tiny Church/Wildwood Chapel wayside near Marblemount, Milepost 103.5

5. Rockport State Park/David Douglas Historical Marker

6. Howard Miller Steelhead Park

7. Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area & Interpretive Center/Skagit Bald Eagle Festival

8. Historic Town of Concrete/historic Concrete Theatre/Sockeye Express tour in Summer

9. Concrete Heritage Museum

10. Baker Lake area and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest recreational opportunities

11. Baker River Hydroelectric Project/Visitor Center/Fish Collection Facility (Puget Sound Energy Visitors Gallery)

12. Historic Henry Thompson Bridge

13. North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum

North Cascades

RECREATION ON ROSS LAKEPaddle and enjoy the serene setting.


Leaving the North Cascades National Park complex, the next experience is the Skagit Wild and Scenic River system, which includes the Cascade, Sauk, and Suiattle Rivers. These clean, rushing waters are home to five species of Pacific salmon as well as two species of trout. Nearly 300 species of wildlife populate the area, including black-tailed deer, black bear, bald eagle, great blue heron, and osprey. High mountain glaciers feed the Skagit watershed, flowing south from British Columbia, providing ideal conditions for migratory birds. For bird watchers, this is a place to have the binoculars handy!

Marblemount is the first full-service community you reach on the western slope following SR 20 westbound from the North Cascades. Located at the juncture of the Skagit River and Cascade River Road (formerly the Mine-to-Market Road) this community provided supplies to prospectors and miners crossing east over Cascade Pass. Today it provides supplies to hungry travelers and is a great base from which to explore the North Cascades National Park complex.

Rockport State Park offers numerous places to hike through forests with sweeping views of the Skagit River. The upper Skagit Valley supports a growing list of recreational experiences including fishing, camping, river rafting, snowmobiling, hiking, and wildlife watching.

The historic town of Concrete was fittingly named when it served as a cement production center. Today, a stroll down Main Street evokes a sense of small town nostalgia—a feeling that is reinforced by the friendly locals, warm hospitality, and rural surroundings.

Campgrounds offer the most vehicle accessible campsites in the park with summer programs and excellent ancient forest hikes.

Three reservoirs within the National Recreation Area were harnessed for hydroelectric power before Congress established the North Cascades National Park in 1968. Beginning in the 1920s, people journeyed from Rockport to Newhalem by train to enjoy the mountains and visit the Skagit River hydroelectric project. Constructed by Seattle City Light between 1919 and 1967, the three dams form Ross, Diablo, and Gorge reservoirs and supply electricity to the City of Seattle. The Skagit Information Center in Newhalem and the nearby Ladder Creek Falls Trail and the Trail of the Cedars offer opportunities to learn about the hydroelectric project as well as the natural and human history of the upper Skagit River. Seattle City Light offers summer cruises on Diablo Lake and provides regularly scheduled shuttle service between Diablo and Ross Lakes. Near Newhalem, visitors should stop at the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center to chat with park rangers and check out park maps, information, exhibits, audio-visual displays, trails, and viewpoints.

14. Hurn Field/elk viewing year-round

15. Skagit Wild and Scenic River

16. Cascades Trail/Historic Great Northern Railway Corridor

17. Rasar State Park

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPSauk Mountain and Rasar State Park are great places to see spectacular alpine views and abundant wildflowers in season. To get there go to Milepost 96 on SR 20 (1.5 miles west of the SR 520 junction and 7 miles east of Concrete at the Rockport State Park boundary) and turn left on Forest Road 1030 (signed “Sauk Mountain Road”). Follow this steep, washboard-prone road for 7.5 miles to a fork. Bear right and continue 1/4 mile to the trailhead (elevation 4,350 ft). There is a 4.2 mile roundtrip hike (permit required).

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTThere are so many great spots, but Diablo Lake Overlook is extraordinary with exceptional, jaw-dropping views and photo opportunities.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTRasar State Park is great for picnicking as well as wildlife watching (especially eagle watching). Located right off SR 20, this 169-acre camping park offers 4,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Skagit River.

TRAIL AT SAUK MOUNTAIN

CASCADE PASS

Peace, quiet, and incredible views

Scenic, rugged country


Heading westbound on SR 20, small towns like Hamilton and Lyman continue to deliver the small-town charm that other cities around the Loop have offered with unique downtowns and friendly locals who know the histories of these places better than anyone. Eventually travelers reach Sedro-Woolley, a small city with rich heritage. Visitors can check out a 1913 steam engine pulling a logging car and a bright red caboose at the entrance to town, and they can explore the downtown core’s murals depicting historic scenes, antique logging

equipment, life-size wood carvings, and the logging museum. The community honors its history with gas lamp replicas, and preserved historic buildings and homes. Sedro-Woolley hosts “Loggerodeo” each year, the state’s oldest ongoing 4th of July celebration.

There are many bird watching opportunities throughout the Skagit River Valley. Look for snow geese, trumpeter swans, and waterfowl December through March while visiting this region.

Burlington is located at the busy crossroads of the Interstate 5 (I-5) corridor and the North Cascades Scenic Highway (SR 20). Because of this central location, between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, Burlington is a great base from which to explore many recreational activities within easy driving distance. Berry Dairy Days is a celebration held each June, recognizing the economic importance of the region’s

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DO There are spectacular winter wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the Skagit watershed with numerous wildlife areas, as well as an abundance of other recreation opportunities. Skagit Valley is also an agricultural focus area with a myriad of agritourism opportunities (farm stands, farmers markets, u-pick fields, tours of the fields in bloom, etc.). There are also many local wineries and breweries, as well as restaurants and cafés offering fresh, locally grown foods.

1. Festivals and events: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Berry Dairy Days (Burlington), Loggerodeo (Sedro-Woolley), Highland Games, Skagit County Fair and Rodeo, Festival of Family Farms, Skagit River Salmon Festival, Northwest Arts Alive, Oyster Run, Anacortes Spring Wine Festival, Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Anacortes 4th of July Celebration, Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey, and more

2. Skagit Wild and Scenic River/boating, fishing, nature/wildlife viewing/bird watching (including spectacular winter wildlife watching); Skagit Riverwalk and Riverfront Park, and various other trails

3. Walkable, unique, historic downtowns in Hamilton, Lyman, Sedro-Woolley (historic walking tour; start of the Cascade Trail), Burlington (shopping), Edison, Mount Vernon (historic Lincoln Theatre 1920s architecture and rare Wurlitzer organ), Conway, La Conner (sculpture walking tour, Gilkey Square, and more) and Anacortes (historic waterfront sites, ferry terminal, and more)

4. Agritourism and culinary recreation opportunities such as Washington’s only Agricultural Scenic Corridor with local farmers markets, bloom fields, u-picks, Heritage Barns of Skagit Driving Tour, and a wide variety of restaurants and local farm-to-table culinary offerings, breweries, wineries, and more

5. Historic Northern State Recreation Area/nature viewing and trails

6. North Cascades National Park Information Center/ranger office

7. Burlington-Skagit County Regional Byways Visitor Center

8. Skagit bloom fields (tulips, daffodils, irises) and Skagit Valley Agricultural Scenic Corridor with talking fields, heritage barns, farm stands, farmers markets, u-pick fields and more

9. Skagit Master Gardener/Native Plant Society Discovery Gardens

10. Scenic Chuckanut Drive/along farm, bay and mountainside with access to Whatcom County

11. Little Mountain Park/trails, valley overlooks

12. History and museums: Sedro-Woolley Museum, Skagit County Museum, La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Children’s Museum of Skagit County in Burlington; homelands of the Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Lummi, Swinomish, Samish, and Stillaguamish Tribes; many examples of Northwest/Coast Salish native art; annual Canoe Journey

13. Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (extends across Washington and all the way to Glacier National Park in Montana)

Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island

LEAVENWORTH

LOGGERODEOState’s oldest 4th of July event in Sedro-Woolley


Channel. Many boaters making their way out to the San Juan Islands and other destinations use La Conner as a jumping off point.

Anacortes, located off of SR 20, is the crown jewel of Fidalgo Island, the eastern-most of the San Juan Islands. Once the salmon-canning capital of the world, there is now an active port, commercial fishing fleet, and marina. Visitors can take a whale-watching tour

offered by one of many commercial operations, with excursions leading to sightings 95 percent of the time. Kayak rentals are available as well, offering visitors a truly memorable and up-close view of the marine setting and diversity of wildlife it supports. Deception Pass anchors the end of this region on the Cascade Loop and serves as the gateway to Whidbey Island.

berry fields and dairies. Just to the south, Mount Vernon sits at the convergence of several rivers and sloughs, an irresistible attraction for an assortment of bird species. Bird watchers should keep their binoculars handy here too! The riverfront and adjacent historic downtown are ideal for exploring on foot.

Dotted with farmhouses and big red barns, the Skagit Valley is home to the largest commercial flower bulb industry outside of Holland. During March through May, the entire valley is a huge carpet of colorful blooms (tulips, daffodils, irises) back-dropped by dramatic views of Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains. Many visitors plan their visit in April for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

La Conner is a unique combination of fishing village and artist colony, located slightly off the Loop to the south. Featured in the National Register of Historic Places, the town is tucked between miles of fertile farmlands, just off Skagit Bay and adjacent to the Swinomish

14. Camano Island/Camano Island State Park

15. Padilla Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary Interpretive Center (aquariums, trails, research reserve) and Padilla Bay Shore Trail

16. Swinomish Hat Pavilions in Swadabs Park

17. Rainbow Bridge

18. Bay View State Park/camping, beach, boat launch

19. Washington Park/trails, camping, boat launch

20. Mount Erie/trails, viewpoints

21. Anacortes Community Forestland/2,200 acres of trails, lakes, fishing

22. WT Preston Snagboat and Maritime Museum, a National Historic Landmark

23. Causland Memorial Park (on National Register of Historic

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTMount Erie, Fidalgo Island’s highest point - to get to trails on the mountain, follow SR 20 to Campbell Lake Road. Take a right and drive 1.5 miles along the north side of the lake and turn right onto Heart Lake Road. Parking is available at a gravel pullover area on the right.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTPioneer Park is a great picnic spot with a view of the Swinomish Channel and Rainbow Bridge. Another great spot is La Conner’s Gilkey Square, where you can sit and watch the boats and wildlife.

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPThe Swinomish Indian Tribal Community’s Hat Pavilions in Swadabs Park is well worth the drive over the Rainbow Bridge, across the Swinomish Channel, for a short side trip off the Loop.

MOUNT VERNON

LA CONNER

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960

Fishing village and artist colony

Places) and other historic Anacortes sites

24. Tommy Thompson Trail along Fidalgo Bay/interpretive signs, seasonal guided history and nature walks; Guemes Channel Trail, various walking and biking routes/guides

25. Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Washington State Ferries, with service (autos and passengers) to San Juan Islands and Canada

26. Boat/kayak/whale watching tours and bare boat charter services; water access via Swinomish Channel, Skagit and Fidalgo Bays, Salish Sea, Deception Pass, Cornet Bay, Guemes Channel

27. Deception Pass and Deception Pass State Park/Campbell Lake/ Rosario Beach


Whidbey Island is the second longest island in the US with many delights to offer Cascade Loop travelers. After crossing the magnificent Deception Pass Bridge, a memorable experience in itself, visitors can enjoy outstanding views of the scenic countryside, marshlands, forests, Puget Sound, and snowy peaks of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains at just about every turn in the road. Deception Pass State Park, home to Cranberry Lake, is a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic. Continuing south on the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, which is its own designated state scenic byway, visitors will reach the island’s biggest city, Oak Harbor. A proud and patriotic Navy town, this community includes a historic district and plentiful shopping. There is something here for everyone to do, from hiking and walking along waterfront trails to learning about generations of maritime history. RV camping is

available as well as other accommodations. The town’s life-sized windmill, a tribute to its Dutch heritage, is a must-see.

Coupeville is the second oldest town in Washington state, with over 100 of its buildings on the National Historic Register, and it is home to famous Penn Cove mussels and the Island County Historical Museum. Visitors can walk along the Kettles Trail from Coupeville to Fort Ebey State Park.

SUMMARY OF PLACES TO GOAND THINGS TO DO Culinary and agritourism opportunities continue throughout this region with farm stands, wineries, farmers markets, and more. Visitors can also enjoy an abundance of recreation options, including beach combing, boating and kayaking, or biking along trails and rural roads, hiking and walking, camping, picnicking, and wildlife watching (with plenty of opportunities to view birds and a variety of marine life). Extraordinary and memorable scenic experiences abound—with sweeping views of Puget Sound and the snow-capped Cascades and Olympics. There are many public parks and waterfront areas open to the public where visitors can go for unique and memorable experiences on the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way.

1. Festivals and events: Holland Happening (Dutch heritage celebration), Penn Cove Water Festival and Mussel Festival, Whidbey Island Garden Tour, Choochokam—Langley Festival of the Arts, Island County Fair in Langley, Langley Murder Mystery Weekend; annual Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey

2. Agritourism and culinary recreation opportunities such as Greenbank Farm, local farmers markets, u-picks, a wide variety of restaurants and local farm-to-table culinary offerings, breweries, wineries, and more

3. History and museums; homelands of the Samish, Swinomish, Lummi, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes; many examples of Northwest/Coast Salish native art; Canoe Journey

4. Deception Pass Bridge and Deception Pass State Park/Cranberry Lake

5. Historic Oak Harbor/Marina

6. Windjammer Park and Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail (picnic grounds, trails)

7. PBY Naval Heritage Center/Whidbey Island Naval Air Station

8. Joseph Whidbey State Park

9. Historic Blue Fox Drive-In

10. Penn Cove (home to world famous Penn Cove mussels)

11. Fort Ebey State Park

12. Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve

13. Historic farmlands/Whidbey Island Farm Map/Tour

14. Kettles Trails (hiking, biking)

15. Whidbey Wine Trail/tasting rooms

16. Whidbey Art Trail/studio tours and art festivals

17. Historic Town of Coupeville/wharf

18. Island County Historical Museum

19. Fort Casey State Park/Admiralty Head Lighthouse

20. Keystone Spit/ ferry terminal and Coupeville ferry crossing to Port Townsend (autos and passengers); on the route of the Pacific

Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way

LEAVENWORTH

DECEPTION PASS STATE PARKBreath-taking views, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife


53-acre forest preserve. This incredible garden boasts year-round treats for enthusiasts, beyond just the “rhodies.” After the gardens, continue south to Freeland, whose Main Street is the service and shopping center for South Whidbey. Freeland Park offers a boat launch, picnic facilities, and a playground with gorgeous views of Holmes Harbor.

From Freeland visitors can head south to the charming town of Langley, a historic artists’ colony over looking Saratoga Passage and the Cascade Mountains. Langley’s streets are lined with historic buildings, flower-filled walkways, and parks. The town is home to excellent cuisine, a museum, galleries, and theaters.

Leaving Langley, signs lead the way back to SR 525 and south to Clinton. Clinton’s seaside park near the ferry dock is a great place to view wildlife from the beach, and there is also a playground at the park. The Washington State Ferries terminal loads cars and passengers aboard the ferry to Mukilteo every half hour.

On the western side of the island, Fort Ebey and Fort Casey State Parks preserve military installations that once protected the entrance to Puget Sound. At Fort Casey, visitors can tour old artillery installations and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse Museum. Both parks offer miles of hiking trails.

Continuing south on SR 525, there are opportunities to glimpse salt-water passages to the east and west at Greenbank, located at one of the island’s narrowest points. Breathtaking views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges can be enjoyed on clear days. Greenbank Farm is a popular stop with local hand-crafted foods, cheeses, wine, and a variety of gifts and culinary items sold in various shops.

South of Greenbank, visitors can explore the stunning Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, a

Northwest National Scenic Trail (extending across Washington and all the way to Glacier National Park in Montana)

21. Historic Greenbank Farm (galleries, agriculture, festivals, local foods, wine tasting, off-leash dog park and more)

22. Meerkerk Gardens

23. South Whidbey State Park/Smuggler’s Cove (Old Growth forest)

24. Freeland Park

25. Double Bluff County Park (off-leash dog park)

26. Historic Bayview Corner and farmers market

27. Historic Town of Langley

28. Clinton Ferry Terminal, waterfront park, and ferry crossing to Mukilteo (autos and passengers)

29. Cascadia Marine Trail (water route)

SUGGESTED SIDE TRIPCamano Island/Camano Island State Park; there is also a coffee roaster and zipline on the island.

SUGGESTED PULL-OFF/VIEWPOINTWhidbey Island offers tons of views along the country’s first Scenic Isle Way. Be sure to stop at Ebey’s Landing and Lake Hancock.

SUGGESTED PICNIC SPOTGreenbank Farm, acres of rural beauty and homemade pies, located at 765 Wonn Road.

SAILING

GREENBANK FARMHistoric farm and shops, open to the public

134-acre camping park with 6,700-feet of rocky shoreline and beach

Puget Sound

CAMANO ISLAND STATE PARK


Past and Present Conditions Around the Cascade Loop 2

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARKA grand drive through the mountains

This chapter of the corridor management plan summarizes past and present conditions around the Cascade Loop, beginning with more general aspects and then focusing on the more detailed characteristics of each of the nine regions. Because the scenic byway crosses the Cascade Mountains, it provides access to the two very different sides of Washington state – the wetter, more temperate western side encompassing the Puget Sound lowlands, and the drier and sunnier eastern side known as the Columbia Plateau.

These characteristics result in a wonderful diversity of landscapes, scenic experiences, and climatic conditions that visitors can enjoy throughout the year. Human influences along the byway enrich these experiences even more, including the pre-history, history, and modern cultures of many Native American tribes, the stories of explorers, pioneers, settlers, and early industrialists, and today’s lifestyles of farmers, ranchers, orchardists, viticulturists, townspeople, and city dwellers. While Chapter 1’s “A Trip around the Cascade Loop” described present-day highlights and experiences for visitors, this chapter focuses on the past conditions that have shaped the context of the Cascade Loop and existing conditions in each region such as local geography, demographics, and economic industries that influence tourism and commerce.

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

Introduction

Brown bear and other wildlife abound

Past and Present Conditions Around the Cascade Loop

The Cascade Loop crosses the rugged, steep peaks of the Cascade Mountains in two areas: Stevens Pass Greenway (Region 2) and the North Cascades (Region 7). Home to the majority of the active glaciers of the lower 48 states, the North Cascades are mostly comprised of gneiss, schist, or granitic rocks and contain some of the world’s densest forests with towering trees and thick vegetation in myriad shades of green. Scientists estimate that the Cascade

Arc—a line of ancient erupting volcanoes—rose between 37 and 50 million years ago. The modern Cascade Range dates to the last 5 to 7 million years with Mt. Baker as the most recent descendent in the long line of volcanoes. Mt Baker (10, 778 feet above sea level) last erupted in 1880, and while Glacier Peak (10,541 feet), located to the southeast of Mt. Baker, has not erupted in historic times, it has a long history of influencing regional drainage patterns. These two highest peaks are the only two volcanoes in the region, and the highest non-volcanic peaks in the North Cascades range from 8,000 to 9,500 feet.

As the modern Cascade Range rose, rivers and streams eroded to a point of dissecting the landscape establishing valleys, basins, and other geographic features. Over the last two million years, periodic episodes of massive glaciations continued to sculpt the landscape. Scientists estimate that at least four times during this period, continental-scale glaciers formed in what is now Canada and extended south across the North Cascades region of the United States. More recent glacial episodes from about 18,000 to 11,000 years ago brought ice into the region

Natural History and Ecosystem Characteristics

Illustration of glaciations and Ice Age Floods effects on the regionICE AGE FLOODS

C A S C A D E L O O P S C E N I C H I G H W A YPast and Present Conditions Around the Cascade Loop

that reached thicknesses of three thousand feet over the Seattle area and six thousand feet over the Bellingham area. When this ice retreated, it left behind massive deposits of clay, sand, and gravel across the region. On the east side of the Cascades, dramatic flood events shaped the landscape as the ice retreated. A lobe of ice that dammed Glacial Lake Missoula in what is now Montana breached periodically between approximately 14,000 and 11,000 years ago, sending massive floods that scoured out the scablands and coulees of eastern Washington down through the Columbia River Gorge. Remnants of these Ice Age Floods are visible throughout the Columbia River basin.

According to Tidewater to Timberline: Natural History of the Greater North Cascades Ecosystem by Thomas L. Fleischner and Saul Weisberg, the Greater North Cascades Ecosystem is one of the finest expressions on the North American continent of nature’s beauty and diversity. This vast ecosystem extends from the tidewater bays along Puget Sound through ancient lowland forests to the sparser forests of the upper elevations where meadows of alpine wildflowers emerge from the snow for several weeks each year. The mountains often ascend more than 5,000 feet from the valley to the summit of the Cascade Crest with miles of permanent snowfields, glaciers, and sheer rock walls, earning them the nickname the “American Alps.”

From the Cascade Foothills extending westward, the western slopes receive the

The eastern slope of the Cascades descends from the drier, rainshadow forests of spruce and pine into the vast, arid sagebrush steppe country of the Columbia Plateau. This “dry side” is a wholly different biologically diverse network of vegetation, habitat areas, and wildlife. The great Columbia River collects all the waters of the eastern slope, carrying it directly to the Pacific Ocean along the Washington-Oregon border.

The entire Greater North Cascades Ecosystem is one of the largest, most intact wildlands in the contiguous United States under public management as North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests, and the Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker, Chelan-Sawtooth, Boulder River, Noisy-Diobsud, Alpine Lakes, and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas.

MOUNT BAKER

most precipitation, capturing the rain and snow from the clouds before they pass over the crest. This is known as the “rainshadow effect,” which influences the drier climate east of the Cascades. On the west side, the influence of the maritime weather system further contributes to the ecological diversity of this region, where drainages west of the Cascade Crest flow directly to saltwater estuaries and inland marine waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. The Skagit River is one of the largest of these west-slope rivers. A unique aspect of this area is that one can travel from the highest mountain peaks of the Cascades to the marine shores of Puget Sound in less than one hour.

Reaches an elevation of 10,781 feet

Past and Present Conditions Around the Cascade LoopC O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N

The Cascade Range is a major climatic partition with drastically different levels of precipitation on each side of the mountains. The marine-influenced climate on the west side of the Cascades is much wetter than the arid climate on the east side. There are ten distinct climatic zones in Washington state, and the Cascade Loop passes through six of these as it traverses back and forth across the Cascades.

On the west side of the Cascades, rainfall is recorded on between 150 and 190 days per year, depending on the area. This rainfall is usually of light to moderate intensity and downpours are uncommon. The wettest months are December and January when it rains 20 to 25 days each month. Summers in Western Washington are mild, and relatively dry. The driest months are July and August with an average of 15-20 sunny or partly sunny days each.

Various regions experience different levels of precipitation and varying average temperatures. For example, portions of Whidbey Island are influenced by the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains with much less annual precipitation than other areas of Western Washington. Northern parts of Whidbey Island average between 18 and 30 inches and rain is typically drizzle or light. In the Puget Sound Lowlands, average temperatures range between 28 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit in January and between 50 and 78 degrees in July. Annual precipitation is between 32 and 45 inches, and winter snowfall ranges from 10 to 20 inches. Closer to the mountains in the Cascade Foothills, average temperatures range between 25 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit in January and between 50 and 80 degrees in July. Precipitation is greatly affected by elevation. In the lowest valleys annual precipitation is 40 inches and snowfall is less than 10 inches, at elevations above 800 feet, average precipitation increases to 90 inches and snowfall to 50 inches. In the Cascade Mountains, average temperatures range between 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit in January. Precipitation ranges between 60 to more than 100 inches with average snowfall between 50 and 600 inches. The climate is greatly influence by elevation, and temperature generally decreases 3 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained. Peaks such as Mount Baker have some of the highest recorded snowfall events in the United States.

Regions on the east side of the Cascades experience a more continental climate with warmer summers and colder winters. Precipitation is much less than on the west side, especially moving further away from the

mountains. Areas on the eastern slope of the mountains experience average temperatures ranging between 15 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit in January and between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The climate here is influenced by elevation and distance from the summit of the Cascades. As a result, precipitation dramatically decreases and average temperature increases moving east from the summit. Melting snow feeds the drainages of the Columbia River basin that are the primary source of irrigation for the vast agricultural areas of North Central and Eastern Washington. In the regions further east on the Columbia Plateau, average temperatures range between 15 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit in January and between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Annual precipitation averages 11 to 16 inches and annual snowfall ranges from 30 to 80 inches.

Climate

View from Whidbey IslandOLYMPIC MOUNTAINS


Since time immemorial, Coast Salish and Columbia Plateau tribes and bands have lived throughout the regions that the Cascade Loop now connects. For thousands of years and up until a few hundred years ago, Native Americans were the only humans living in the area we now call Washington. Two primary cultural groups were geographically divided by the Cascades—the Coast Salish or coastal tribes living west of the mountains, near Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, and the Plateau tribes living inland east of the mountains on the Columbia Plateau.

Coast Salish TribesIn pre-historic and historic times, coastal tribes lived in permanent villages near the rivers and along marine shorelines and were organized into many tribes, with each having a few hundred members typically. Ancestors of the coastal peoples in proximity to the Cascade Loop are now part of the Samish, Swinomish, Lower Skagit, Upper Skagit, Stillaguamish, Tulalip, and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes. The term “Salish” refers to a cultural or ethnographic designation of peoples who spoke one of the Coast Salish languages, encompassing many different tribes and bands.

The climate west of the Cascades, with mild temperatures and abundant sources of food from the marine waters, rivers, and forests created an ideal living environment. In pre-historic and historic times, coastal tribes often were separated from each other by dense forests, mountains, and water ways. They typically lived in small, isolated villages and had minimal contact with others. Each tribe represented several families or villages located in proximity. The tribal leader was the chief and the shaman or medicine man was the spiritual leader and healer.

Tribal history, legends, and beliefs were passed orally from generation to generation and also incorporated into traditional songs, chants, dances, totem poles, pictorial drawings, and works of art. Salish art, which often depicts animal spirits is famous for its distinctive character, and the coastal tribes designed colorful blankets, ceremonial clothing, and masks, which were worn for celebrations (such as potlatches and marriage and burial ceremonies).

Coastal tribes used local materials for clothing and utensils, such as shredded cedar bark, animal skins/leathers, and grasses. They would carve bowls from wood and stone and would frequently wear cedar bark capes, skirts, and ponchos. When the weather turned cool with more rain they would wear layers and often added blankets and robes to their wardrobe. Cone-shaped hats were favored

First Peoples

COAST SALISH ELDER PILCHUCK JULIAFrom the Pilchuck TribeTribes west of the Cascade Mountains


to keep heads dry and protective mats made from reeds, moss, cattails and other materials also helped to keep the ground dry during the wet winters. Food sources were abundant, including salmon, otter, seal, whale, razor clams, oysters, smelt, abalone, halibut, cod, shellfish, crabs, and many other types of seafood, as well as trout and other fish from rivers and streams of the Cascade foothills. The sufficient food and water allowed coastal tribes to build permanent homes and villages along either saltwater or freshwater. Coastal tribes also ate meat from sea and land mammals (deer, elk, bear, sheep and mountain goats), waterfowl, and berries and wild fruit from the uplands. They used smoke houses, open pit fires and heated rocks to cook, and they often baked or smoked salmon and steamed clams. Salmon was the coastal peoples’ most important food source.

Many coastal tribes lived in large longhouses, permanent structures made from cedar logs and planks, or in smaller plank houses. Longhouses were typically 40 to 100 feet long and 20 to 30 feet wide with shed-like roofs, no windows, few doors, and a small opening in the ceiling to let out the smoke. Several related families would share the same longhouse with several longhouses or other house forms existing in a village. Woven mats or cattails were used to cover the shelters.

Coastal peoples typically walked or canoed when traveling. Even after the Spanish introduced the horse in North America, the coast tribes would rarely ride horses and preferred travel by dugout canoe. Coastal Native Americans were excellent canoe makers, dedicating months of hard labor and careful craftsmanship to each one. A tall cedar tree was selected and cut to a desired length then bark and limbs were removed. An adze or ax was used to sculpt out the wood and often the inside of the canoe would be burned out. After shaping the canoe with braces and smoothing the outside surface, decorative paints would be applied and the bow would be carved in a distinctive form to represent a particular group. Dugout canoes were made in all sizes with some over 30 feet long and were used to transport people, hunt and fish, and haul goods and supplies.

Coastal tribes had differing rituals and ceremonies related to puberty, marriage, and burial. Some tribal elders would send youth into the wilderness upon reaching puberty, called the “Spirit Dance” by some. After fasting, usually boys around 15 years old would walk alone to find and meet with the spirits. Marriage ceremonies were very different among tribes. Sometimes an elaborate potlatch ceremony was held. The Potlatch (Chinook word meaning “to give” brought relatives and guests together. Potlatch hosts would lavishly distribute gifts to show generosity and display wealth.

CHIEF WILLIAM SHELTONOf the Tulalip Tribes (1868-1938)


Columbia Plateau TribesPlateau tribes east of the mountains were larger with hundreds of members, but organized into fewer tribes or groups. A single tribe could have control over large expanses of land. Many of the ancestors of the Plateau peoples in proximity to the Cascade Loop are now part of the Colville Confederated Tribes. The Yakama, Nez Perce, and Wanapum are other tribes of the Columbia Plateau.

In pre-historic and historic times, these interior groups were more likely to live in seasonal villages because food was less abundant, and they traveled seasonally to hunt and fish and sometimes would compete with each other for control of these areas. Located between the Cascades and the Rocky Mountains the Plateau’s more extreme temperatures created a harsh environment for the Native Americans, with windy, snowy and cold winters and hot and dry summers. Plateau tribes often had to travel to find water and food, and as such were seminomadic or nomadic.

Plateau tribes lived within a group social structure, where they worked together to bring the necessities of life to the people such as shelter, food, water, and security. Family members shared food, transportation, and homes. Men typically fished and hunted, while women were responsible for digging roots, gathering fruits and berries, preparing food, and making clothing. Tribal organizations included chiefs, tribal councils, and a council of elders. It was the responsibility of each tribal chief to maintain peace among the tribe and provide security from attacks. The chief served as judge in disputes, hosted guests, and often led the process of trading for food, goods, and grazing areas for livestock. During wartimes, the chief also served as the military leader. Larger tribes had several chiefs, each with different responsibilities.

Clothing was made from animal skins, furs, hair, and also from grasses and rushes. Thick leather moccasins and leather leggings were worn to protect the legs and feet from the various

thorny plants of the Plateau. Females made and wore decorative dresses, typically from leather/animal skins with beads and shells as decoration. They also made elaborate headdresses from feathers as well as colorful blankets and robes, which often were worn during tribal ceremonies, special celebrations and at times of war. Jewelry was crafted from beads, shells, stones, bones, copper, bear claws, feathers, and other materials into necklaces, earrings, nose rings, and other decorations.

Food and water were generally scarce and difficult to find, which contributed to the need to travel throughout each season for hunting and fishing. They would hunt deer, elk, horses, rabbits, mountain goats, sheep, beaver, buffalo, dogs, snakes, and other meat sources, as well as grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. Buffalo hunting parties had to cross the Rocky Mountains to reach the Great Plains, which was a difficult and dangerous journey. Plateau tribes made use of all foods available and were excellent gatherers of berries (blackberries, huckleberries, chokeberries, etc.), nuts, seeds (especially sunflower seeds), as well as camas bulbs and bitterroots that were cooked in earthen ovens, mashed, boiled and dried into flat cakes. They also made pemmican from processed animal fat, berries, camas root, and fish. Pemmican was an important source of nutrition that was baked, boiled, or eaten raw. Salmon was a very important source of food for Plateau tribes, abundant in inland rivers and streams during the spawning season.

Because they were always on the move, Plateau tribes used a form of shelter that was easy to put up and take down. This included tepees for much of the year, which were cone-shaped shelters formed by several long poles with woven mats or animal hides as a covering. The tepee has no windows and typically a single flap of animal hide

COLUMBIA PLATEAU TRIBAL GATHERINGThroughout history, the native people of the Plateau have frequently joined together for special events.


is used for the entrance. Fires often were built in the middle of the tepee, and smoke would flow out through an opening at the top. During cold winters, Plateau peoples would live in caves or pit houses built five to six feet deep and approximately 30 feet in diameter. A framework was constructed above the pit and covered with animal hides and mats made from organic materials such as plants like the tule, a bulrush that grows abundantly in local ponds, springs, and sloughs on the Columbia Plateau. Tules were tied together to create mats to cover winter homes as well as summer tepees and were particularly popular near the Columbia River where tules were abundant. Often constructed on the leeward slope of hills away from the cold winter winds, pit houses provided comfortable protection from harsh winter weather.

Horses were highly valued after their arrival on the Plateau in the early 18th century. Horses greatly enhanced their ability to migrate and do their tasks more efficiently. Plateau tribes often captured and broke wild horses and increased their own herds by trading and breeding. Horses were special gifts and the number of horses an individual or tribe owned was considered a measure of wealth. Horses and dogs were used to pull a travois, which hauled possessions and people from place to place. Consisting of two long poles of unequal length, the travois was attached to the shoulders of the animal by leather straps with woven mats or animal hides covering the space between the poles. A travois could carry a family’s belongings or the ill, wounded, elderly or very young children.

Tribes of the Columbia Plateau spoke as many as 100 dialects or languages in what is now Washington. In order to trade with other tribes and later with fur traders and Euro-American settlers, communication was important, so many Plateau tribes spoke Interior Salish, Sahaptin or Chinook, often in addition to their own language. For example, the Wenatchi-P’squosa people, who inhabited the area around what is today known as Wenatchee, were Salish-speakers. They were seminomadic, wintering along the Columbia River and moving up the Wenatchee River in spring to dig camas roots, hunt deer, pick berries, and fish for salmon. They hosted large gatherings of tribes at Wenatshapam (near today’s Leavenworth) for the salmon harvest. Northwest tribes also used a variety of sign languages and particularly during the

time since Euro-American exploration many tribes began using Chinook jargon, a mixture of Chinook, French, and English words, to communicate.

The Vast Tribal Trade NetworkThe trade network of Pacific Northwest tribes was vast and sophisticated, extending hundreds of miles as goods traded hands between interior and coastal tribes and eventually with Euro-American fur-traders and explorers. Plateau tribes traded their horses as well as their beadwork and leather goods, often for furs, weapons, supplies, and a variety of foods.

Learning about Tribes while Visiting the Cascade LoopThe Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest have a rich cultural history, and their stories are told in a variety of interpretive centers and museums around the Cascade Loop. Many reservations have historic displays and places the public can visit to learn about tribal history and culture. Modern place names of many Cascade Loop destinations, such as Chelan, Skagit, Snohomish, and others are derived from Native American words. Native American tribes of today are working hard to preserve their cultural traditions and heritage. Through educational programs as well as annual events and celebrations, the tribes honor their past traditions and their commitment to maintaining these into the present and future. The annual Canoe Journey is one of these events, where coastal tribes travel together in canoes following a specific itinerary each year.

Horses greatly enhanced the Plateau tribes ability to migrate.NEZ PERCE WARRIOR


Past and Present Conditions of Each RegionThe history of each region of the Cascade Loop is briefly summarized on the following pages. Modern characteristics and demographics of each region, including the local communities are also described.


GeographyFlowing northwest, the Snohomish River begins at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers, near present-day Monroe, and ends about twelve miles downstream where it empties into Port Gardner Bay (part of Puget Sound) north of Everett. Approximately 14,000 years ago, this river valley was created when glacial Lake Snohomish drained through the Redmond Delta and the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Skykomish Rivers were incised into the valley floor. The Snohomish River Valley is wide and flat, created through thousands of years of

glacial movement and flowing meltwater. The valley is bounded by moraine outwash hills with steep sides and is often described as a "bathtub" in scientific literature. After thousands of years of glacial activity, the sea level did not stabilize in the Puget Sound region until around 5,000 years ago and at that time salmon runs and shellfish beds became established. The marine shores, peninsulas, points, and islands of Puget Sound took the form that is still mostly recognizable today, except where altered by human settlement and industrial development.

REGION 1

Located between the shores of Puget Sound and Stevens Pass

Greenway, this region of the Cascade Loop is influenced by the

characteristics of the broad valley of the Snohomish River and

is the most urbanized of all the regions, with the biggest cities

and towns and a wide variety of cultural entertainment.

Snohomish River Valley

MUKILTEO LIGHTHOUSEOne of the few lighthouses constructed of wood, 1905.


Native American Life, Early Exploration, and the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855For thousands of years, Native American tribes have lived in this area where the abundance of seafood and the temperate climate offered a comfortable quality of life. The name “Snohomish,” now the name of the river and city, honors the people who lived in this area prior to Euro-American settlement. They spoke a dialect of Lushootseed, which translates from Snohomish to “man and people,” and they lived in a permanent winter village on the land spit and adjoining salt marsh that later became Mukilteo. The meaning of Mukilteo is also derived from Lushootseed and roughly translates as “to swallow” or “narrow passage,” which is consistent with the meaning given by Chief William Shelton of the Tulalip Tribe of “a throat, or neck, or a narrowing in a body of water.” Throughout time Mukilteo was a favorite place to camp and meet with others, and today, it is still a favorite place to gather for meetings. Later, the Snohomish people moved north to the mouth of the Snohomish River, where they built the village of Hibulb (also spelled Hebolb). Members of the Snoqualmie Tribe lived further to the east around Monroe and in the Snoqualmie River Valley.

In 1792, British Captain George Vancouver anchored his ship the Discovery at the site that later became Mukilteo. Lieutenant William Robert Broughton and botanist Archibald Menzies briefly went ashore for exploration. They named the place “Rose Point” for the many wild roses growing there.

treaty to cede their lands to the United States government in exchange for relocation to reservations, retention of hunting and fishing rights, and an amount of cash. History has shown that some tribal leaders may not have clearly understood the full terms of the treaty even though they signed their mark in front of many witnesses. The treaty greatly changed the way of life for native people as many had to move from their villages to live with other tribes and bands on reservation lands. The Tulalip Reservation was established by the 1855 Treaty and by Executive Order of President U.S. Grant dated December 23, 1873. The reservation was established at Tulalip Bay to provide a permanent home for Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish Tribes and allied bands living in the region.

Pioneers, Settlement, and Growth of CommunitiesEuro-Americans and other settlers came to the area in response to government granted homesteads and in hopes of extracting the area's natural resources of timber and ore. Mukilteo, situated on Possession Sound, was one of the first settlements in Snohomish County and the first county seat. The nearby peninsula at Port Gardner Bay was settled as the City of Everett and later became the county seat. In the fall of 1891 land was

Remnants of Rosa nutkana can still be found along the shoreline in this area. Later in 1841, US Navy Lieutenant Charles Wilkes anchored at the same location and officially changed the name from “Rose Point” to “Point Elliott” on American charts, in honor of midshipman Samuel Elliott. This name stuck and continues to be used today.

On January 22, 1855, territorial Governor Isaac Stevens met with 82 Native American leaders including Chief Seattle at Point Elliott (in the vicinity of Mukilteo). Native leaders signed a

ROSA NUTKANA

BIRD’S EYE DRAWING OF SNOHOMISHCirca 1890

“Rose Point” was named after this wild rose.


cleared to build a new industrial boomtown (Everett) that would be supported by wealthy east coast and regional investors. The investors hoped this spot would be where the Great Northern Railroad would first touch western tidewater. The nearby town of Snohomish was also established in the mid to late 1800s and eventually grew to become the economic and cultural center of the county, and served as county seat for 36 years, until it was moved to Everett in 1897.

Named after the son of investor Charles Colby, Everett’s diverse economic base in the beginning, included a paper mill, a nail factory, a bargeworks, and a smelter to refine ores. Lumber and shingle mills also started up near the waterfront. Everett was incorporated in the spring of 1893, but the region and country soon fell into a serious depression and Everett's boom was curtailed. During the next five years, many community services such as hospitals, schools and libraries were established, and by 1900 a new economic boom established Everett as the industrial city it was initially intended to be. By World War I, the lumber-shingle trade was well established and the city’s importance as a regional and international waterfront port was solidified by the 1920s.

Snohomish, also located in Snohomish County, was established after settlers filed claims on both sides of the Snohomish River in 1859, thinking that traffic on a new military road would cover the cost for a ferry crossing service. Although ferry service didn’t happen, a steady increase in steamship service brought loggers and supplies to camps up and down the river, followed by family farmers. River travel was instrumental in the settling of Snohomish since in the early days there were no roads, only winding muddy paths through the woods. Later logging and mill operation contributed to the town’s growth. The Seattle Herald reported in 1884 that “Snohomish was an old town of about 700 inhabitants, with a two-story courthouse, a new sawmill producing 20,000 feet of lumber each day, one good school building, six saloons, and one church (and that church had a bell).” Products as listed by the Herald were “fruit, logs, hay and skating rinks” -- there were two. When the first train pulled into the new Snohomish station on Lincoln Street four years later, the city boasted a million dollar economy -- fourth largest on Puget Sound.

Meanwhile, in Mukilteo, early entrepreneurs established the first salmon cannery in Washington Territory and one of the region's earliest breweries in the late 1800s, while the lumber industry also grew. Japanese workers of the Crown Lumber Company and their families were an important part of the Mukilteo community from 1903 to 1930. Many of the Japanese families lived in company housing in what became known later as “Japanese Gulch,”

and today is a recreation destination with an extensive trail system and beautiful parks and open space. Most of the Japanese moved away after the Crown Lumber Company closed in 1930. Mas Odoi, who was born in Japanese Gulch stated, “When we moved away, we never found a place as nice to live.” Odoi was responsible for creating a monument in memory of the Japanese community at Mukilteo and their harmonious relationship with other Mukilteo residents.

Monroe, located at the east edge of the Snohomish River Valley region of the Cascade Loop, was established after US Army scouts came to the area in the mid-1800s to find an outpost. In 1860, Henry McClurg, the first settler, claimed land where the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers met to form the Snohomish

RESIDENTS OBSERVE TRAIN WRECKIn Mukilteo, September 22, 1913


River. Four years later, he moved inland about a mile and founded the settlement of Park Place (now a Monroe suburb on the west). Near this same time, Salem Woods staked his claim northeast of present-day Monroe along the creek and in the prairie that still bears his name. In 1864 Charles Harriman claimed land in the Tualco Valley south of the rivers. The area was known as "The Forks" and the name Tualco came from the Native American word "squa'lxo" meaning "meeting place of two rivers."

The coming of the Great Northern Railway through the area in 1893 greatly influenced the valley’s growth and development. The railroad also boosted Monroe's commerce. A Great Northern Railway superintendent said, "The Company does more business at Monroe than any other point on the line, outside of larger towns." The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (Milwaukee) line joined the transportation scene in late 1910, paralleling the Great Northern tracks to Monroe. The Milwaukee trestle across the Skykomish River at Monroe was the longest covered railroad trestle in the world. In the early days, a hotel and store served as the hub of the town, and when the local citizens petitioned the government for a post office, they found they needed a name. McClurg as one of the first settlers chose the name “Monroe.” Monroe eventually incorporated in 1902. Logging was the another mainstay of Monroe's economy for many years, and as the logging industry waned, agriculture grew, with berry farms taking the forefront, along with a proliferation of dairy farms, which in

1908 began supplying milk to Carnation Milk. The Washington State Reformatory was established in Monroe in 1907. Monroe has hosted the Evergreen State Fair for decades. After building fairgrounds at the south end of town in 1903, the fair became known as the “Cavalcade of the Valleys” and prospered into the 1930s. Eventually the event transitioned into the Evergreen State Fair, held in Monroe every year in late August and early September.

Since World War II, Mukilteo’s and Everett's proximity to Paine Field has greatly influenced the local economy and how the communities have grown. Mukilteo annexed and grew to the south, and although expansion shifted the commercial center to Harbour Pointe, Mukilteo still retains a strong sense of its "Old Town" roots. Everett continued to grow into a

large, bustling city, and as the timber industry began to decline regionally the arrival of Boeing and aerospace in the 1960s was welcomed and has been an important and stabilizing economic force for the region ever since. In the 1990s, the United States government established a Navy homeport in Everett, which commands a prominent place on the city’s waterfront and also contributes significantly to the region’s economy.

Air flight also has roots in Snohomish. Noble Harvey established a family-owned airfield in 1945, Harvey Airfield, but before that, in 1911, Harvey hosted the first airplane flight in the county. Fred J. Wiseman, who held the record for a sustained flight of more than six minutes, arrived by train with his Curtiss-Farman-Wright biplane, billed as the “Fastest Machine in the World.” Wiseman’s flight in Snohomish was cut short by rain-soaked, fabric-covered wings and it ended in a muddy but safe nose-dive after reaching only 60 feet in altitude. The plane was repaired and is currently hanging in the Smithsonian Postal Museum as the first plane to carry the mail.

P. N. CHRISTIANSEN WEYERHAEUSER LUMBER MILLEverett Waterfront, early 1900sFirst lighthouse keeper at Mukilteo


The Mukilteo ferry landing has been an important passenger ferry hub since the 1900s. Car ferries began in 1919 with the Whidbey I and the Central I making regular runs between Mukilteo and Clinton. For the next three decades ferry service was maintained by ships of the Puget Sound Navigation Company (the Black Ball Line) until 1951 when the company was purchased by Washington State Ferries. The nearby Mukilteo Light House, completed in 1906, is now on the National Register of Historic Places and stands near the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry dock.

Several historic landmarks also exist in Everett including various structures along Hewitt Avenue, several residential areas and the city’s public library and City Hall. Since 1973, a 26-block area in Snohomish has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today’s CharacteristicsToday the communities of Mukilteo, Everett, Snohomish, and Monroe are part of a growing urban area that supports a healthy regional economy and offers full scale services and abundant cultural and recreational activities.

Mukilteo’s population as of the 2010 census was 20,254, and the city ranked as number 9 in Money Magazine’s 2011 list of top 100 small towns of America to live in. As home to the Future of Flight Aviation Center, Boeing Tours, and other aerospace tourism destinations, Mukilteo also draws thousands of visitors each year. The ferry terminal still carries passengers back and forth from Whidbey Island each day, and the waterfront community offers a variety of activities for citizens and visitors.

In Everett, the Center for the Performing Arts is located alongside the historic Everett Civic Auditorium and the original Everett Theater. Everett’s population as of the 2010 census was 103,019, making it the sixth largest city in the state and the fifth largest in Puget Sound. Everett is also home to the largest public marina on the west coast of the US, and Boeing’s assembly plant for the 747, 767, 777, and 787 is known for being the largest

building in the world by volume at 116.5 million cubic feet. Aerospace, telecommunications, computer technology, electronics, health care, tourism, education and government business, the paper products industry, and numerous small businesses serve as the economic base for the region. Everett has a large workforce totaling approximately 88,000 workers. Principal employers include Boeing, the US Naval Station Everett, Snohomish County, several hospitals and medical centers, and the State of Washington.

Snohomish had a population of 9,098 based on the 2010 census and prides itself for its historic downtown and is known as the “Antique Capital of the Northwest” due to its many antique shops. The Snohomish Historic District includes several preserved homes and structures including the Blackman House, which is also a year-round museum. The Harvey Airfield is still in operation, less than one mile southwest of Downtown Snohomish.

Monroe’s population as of the 2010 census was 17,510, and the community continues to grow. Now a busy commercial hub, Monroe not only serves the daily needs of its residents but also serves as a jumping off point for visitors seeking adventure in the region or on their way to the Cascades.

For more information about the activities and destinations in Monroe, Snohomish, Everett, and Mukilteo, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

DOWNTOWN SNOHOMISH TODAYA great place to shop for antiques and see historic buildings


REGION 2

Stevens Pass Greenway is a designated National Scenic Byway

that follows the Great Northern Railway’s Iron Goat Trail

and the thundering Skykomish and Wenatchee Rivers.

This region of the Cascade Loop is located between the eastern

boundary of Monroe and Coles Corner along State Route (SR) 2

(although it should be noted that the designated National

Scenic Byway extends to Peshastin). Several small rustic

towns welcome visitors along this segment, where they can

enjoy hiking, skiing, white water rafting, kayaking, fishing,

wildlife watching, and many other recreational activities.

For more information about the Stevens Pass Greenway,

refer to the Corridor Management Plan, available online:

Stevens Pass Greenway Corridor Management Plan.

Stevens Pass Greenway

IRON GOAT TRAILA great place for a family outing


GeographyStevens Pass Greenway follows rugged terrain through the Cascade Mountains, beginning at an elevation of 62 feet in Monroe and Climbing 52 miles to reach an elevation of 4,055 feet at Stevens Pass. Much of the 90-mile length of the National Scenic Byway is surrounded by a scenic forested landscape and managed by the US Forest Service as the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (27 miles) west of Stevens Pass and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (34 miles) east of Stevens Pass. There are also several open areas as well as settled areas at small towns along the highway route such as Sultan, Startup, Gold Bar, Index, Baring, Grotto, Skykomish, and Coles Corner. Stevens Pass Ski Resort, located 50 miles east of Monroe and 35 miles east of Leavenworth, offers skiing and snowboarding including night skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer.

Native American Life The Native American tribes known to have lived in this region included the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and Wenatchee Tribes, with the Snohomish occupying the western edge, the Snoqualmie in the vicinity of Monroe and southward through the Snoqualmie Valley, the Skykomish along the Skykomish River, and the Wenatchee on the east side of the pass. The Skykomish people wintered along the river between where Monroe and Index are today and established summer camps throughout the hills seasonally. They fished for salmon, hunted, and gathered throughout the area before the arrival of Euro-American settlers and commonly traded with other tribes east of the summit as well as coastal tribes. Per the Treaty of Point Elliott, signed in 1855, the Snohomish, Skykomish, and other tribes were subsumed into the Tulalip Tribes and many moved to the Tulalip Reservation. Of those who remained, intermarriage, assimilation, and diseases brought by settlers greatly reduced their numbers so that by 1950 there were very few native people living locally. Today, Pacific Northwest tribes are working hard to maintain

their distinctive traditions and cultural ways of life throughout the region.

There is some written evidence that Native Americans may have used Stevens Pass to cross the mountains. According to a study of prehistoric and ethnographic elements of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, “it seems likely that there was at least intermittent use of Stevens Pass as a travelway.” Other historical texts indicate that the Great Northern Railroad route followed an ancient trail.

Pioneers, Settlement, and Growth of CommunitiesWhen Euro-Americans first arrived in the Pacific Northwest, they explored the more easily accessible coastal areas. With the introduction of fur trading, more inland explorations occurred, and the Cascade Mountains attracted transient traders who harvested the area’s beaver and other fur-bearing animals in the 1800s.

In 1846, the British boundary in the Northwest receded to the 49th parallel, opening the land

Train bridge crosses the Skykomish River near Gold Bar, WASKYKOMISH RIVER

Sultan, circa 1909EARLY SETTLERS OF SKYKOMISH


that comprises current-day Washington and Oregon for American use. Thus, in the mid-1800s mineral prospecting drew Euro-Americans to this region. Along the Stevens Pass Greenway, the towns of Sultan and Gold Bar developed during the 1850s in direct response to the arrival of miners. Five miles north of Sultan, the remains of the later Horseshoe Bend placer mine provide a tangible reminder of the economic and historic importance that mining had in the development of the area.

After the US federal government encouraged settlement of the West during the 1850s and with the introduction of the Donation Land Claims Acts that offered land to individuals if they resided on a piece of property and cultivated it for four years, many more homesteaders came to this region. As more people began to live in towns of this region, a greater need arose for more reliable transportation. This coupled with competition for trade with the Orient and valuable mail route contracts prompted the need for a shorter railroad route to the Pacific. James J. Hill, the founder of the Great Northern Railway, competitively sought a more direct route than had been provided by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1883 (which stretched from Duluth, Minnesota to Tacoma, Washington, crossing the less severe Snoqualmie Pass). Before the railroad, and later the highway, people used a system of trails and wagon roads to travel over Stevens Pass.

In 1888, the Great Northern Railway Engineer, John F. Stevens, surveyed a more direct

route from St. Paul, Minnesota to Everett, Washington, crossing the 4,055 foot Cascade Mountains pass, which currently bears his name. After recognizing the Nason Creek route as the best location for the Great Northern Railway, Stevens sent his assistant C.F.B. Haskell to confirm it. Haskell went to the headwaters of the Skykomish where he blazed the words “Stevens Pass” into a tree. Later in 1893, photographer Anders Beer Wilse found and photographed the blazed words while documenting the building of the railroad.

The rugged landscape of the Cascade Mountains challenged railroad builders, who responded with innovative, although somewhat precarious designs. Under pressure from Hill

to develop the railroad as quickly as possible, Stevens developed switchbacks as a temporary alternative to more costly and time-consuming tunnels. The switchbacks that connected two points only three miles apart on each side of Stevens Pass wove precariously over 13 miles of track and trestles. Another of the Great Northern Railway’s engineering feats was the Horseshoe Tunnel, which turned 170 degrees. As passengers at the front of a long train emerged from the tunnel, they could look back and see the train’s caboose entering it. By 1900, the Great Northern Railway simplified travel over the pass by replacing the switchbacks with the two-mile-long Cascade Tunnel. Due to remaining hazards in winter, including the Wellington Disaster—an avalanche in 1910 that resulted in many deaths after burying two trains— a new, longer Cascade Tunnel was constructed, extending eight miles from Berne to Scenic (historic railroad stops that cease to exist today). Historical remnants of the railroad route over Stevens Pass are listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Stevens Pass Historic District, covering approximately ten miles along the SR 2 corridor. The American Society of Civil Engineering has also listed this portion of the grade as a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

The railroad brought an influx of laborers representing many different groups, and after it was constructed, forever changed the geography of the corridor and the cities and towns connected by it. Towns popped up along the railroad and several disappeared over time. The railroad helped to expand the logging industry and several towns along the route were involved as loggers cut timbers in the mountains, floated them down river and loaded them onto railcars headed for mills located in the bigger cities.

Since the late 1800s, the US Forest Service has been the primary government agency responsible for the land management along Stevens Pass. In 1893, the federal government set aside two and one quarter million acres of forest reserve land in Washington

The Great Northern Railway EngineerJOHN F. STEVENS


and closed it to settlement and resource development. The government later modified the law to allow citizens to mine, log, and farm on lands suitable for such uses. With the growth of the timber industry the US Forest Service sold timber to individuals or companies that had land holdings next to public property and then became increasingly responsible for managing fire suppression to protect the valuable timber, building fire lookouts throughout the forests of what are today the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests.

Recreationists began using the area after the railroad provided easy access through the mountains. Resorts catering to railroad tourists were established at Skykomish and Scenic. After the Stevens Pass Highway was completed in 1925, the area became increasingly popular for hiking, fishing, skiing, hunting, and other recreation.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesStevens Pass Greenway today is a popular destination for city-dwellers on both sides of the Cascades, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. While many small, mountain towns dot the corridor and provide places to stop and eat along the scenic byway, there are many relics of the past history of railroad, mining, and logging that can be found with greater exploration. Many historic towns of the past (Wellington, Berne, Scenic, etc.) have since disappeared, with few remaining buildings and structures to mark their past existence. The economy of the Stevens Pass region has moved away from these earlier industries, shifting to forestry, fishing, agriculture and tourism.

The overall population of this region has shrunk considerably in the past 50 years as the logging and mining boom of the early 1900s collapsed in the area. Although the populations of towns have decreased from earlier boom times, several have remained stable, shifting towards tourism and recreation-related industries. Trails, recreation and camping areas, and ski resorts are popular attractions that bring numerous visitors each year. In fact, Stevens Pass Ski Resort attracts over 400,000 visitors per season.

Sultan, founded in 1905 as a logging, mining, and farming town today is a small commercial hub serving the valley with a population of 4,651 (based on the 2010 census). Sultan also has become a popular bedroom community due to its proximity to the Seattle-Everett metropolitan region and access to outdoor recreation opportunities, and as such experienced a 39 percent population increase in the past ten years. Startup, located east of Sultan, with a population of 676 in 2010, is another recreation-focused community with several year-round and vacation homes. Gold Bar’s population has remained fairly stable over the past 10 years, with a population hovering around 2,075 as of 2010.

Index, situated along the edge of the Skykomish River at the base of Mount Index, a 6,000-foot peak at the western edge of the Cascade Range, has a population of 178 (2010 census). Index was established in 1907 and its population peaked at 1,000 after construction of the railroad, but then began to decline in the 1930s with reduced activity in the mining industry. Index has become a popular destination for white water rafting and fly-fishing.

Skykomish is nestled in the valley of the Cascades following the South Fork of the Skykomish River. The town experienced significant development after its founding in 1909 and during the following years as the timber, railroad and mining industries boomed in the area. With the decline of railroad and logging, and the eventual routing of US 2 across the Skykomish River away from the town center, the boomtown

Sits at the western edge of the Cascade RangeMOUNT INDEX


days of Skykomish waned, but today, the town maintains a stable population of 214 residents and is a well-known traveler’s rest, particularly with Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers.

In the US Forest Service managed areas of Stevens Pass Greenway, existing interpretive opportunities for visitors include the Iron Goat Trail, which commemorates the railroad history of the corridor and provides an accessible tour of the old Great Northern Railway grade. The trail is accessible from Forest Service Road 6710, located just north of Deception Falls and a trailhead with restrooms has been developed where visitors can park and learn about the history of the railroad and see one of the historic rail cars onsite. East of the pass, the Forest Service established the Bygone Byways interpretive trail, where a self-guided tour is available at milepost 71.8 which highlights portions of the first auto route across Stevens Pass and the remains of a rock oven used by European railroad workers to bake bread, as well as other historic sites. The Forest Service also offers a video with interpretation of the Stevens Pass Historic District at the Skykomish Ranger District and has developed curriculum, “Climb Aboard the Iron Goat,” which provides educational history about the railroad development through Stevens Pass for grades 9-11 throughout the region.

Stevens Pass Summit, home to the Stevens Pass Ski Resort provides food services to resort visitors and offers year-round recreation opportunities such as skiing and STEVENS PASS

snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer.

Coles Corner marks the end of this region of the Cascade Loop, and although not a formally incorporated town, it serves as a popular stop for food and supplies before heading on to other Cascade Mountains destinations. From here, byway travelers can take a side loop tour to Lake Wenatchee and through Plain, as a scenic backroad route to Leavenworth, or they can continue along SR 2 following the scenic winding Wenatchee River. Known as Beaver Valley in the late 1800s to early 1900s, Plain got its name when the postal service did not accept the name Beaver Valley, claiming it was too long. According to town folklore, residents asked the postmaster for a “plain” name, thus Plain was born. Plain was settled by pioneering families who were drawn to the valley by its scenic beauty and homesteading opportunities. With the nearby forests and park lands, including Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, Lake Wenatchee State Park, and Wenatchee National Forest, Plain draws visitors year-round and in the winter is a popular destination for sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Recreationists also enjoy miles and miles of hiking trails, camping, fishing, and horseback riding in the warmer months.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the Stevens Pass Greenway region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan, and also refer to the Stevens Pass Greenway Corridor Management Plan.

Recreation area in both winter and summer


REGION 3

Region 3 of the Cascade Loop begins at the junction of SR 2

and SR 207 at Cole’s Corner, and continues to Leavenworth

and Cashmere. As byway travelers descend from the forested

eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains into the foothills of

the Cascades, they encounter the more arid side, where there

is a distinctive year-round climate with more than 200 sunny

days per year (compared to less than 60 sunny days on the

west side of the mountains).

Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills

DOWNTOWN LEAVENWORTHVoted “Most Christmassy”


GeographyNestled in the Cascade foothills, this segment of the Cascade Loop follows SR 2 in the Wenatchee River valley, and the river is visible for most of the route as it makes it way east to the Columbia. The climate conditions of this region, along with access to irrigation water from the rivers, create ideal conditions for growing fruit and other crops. Scenic

views across the valley encompass miles of orchards, filled with apple, pear, cherry, and other fruit trees. In spring, the air is filled with the sweet scent of blooms from the trees, and in late summer up to the harvest time, the aroma of ripe fruit and their vibrant colors greet the senses. Given the abundance of fresh foods, small artisan bakeries, farm-to-table

restaurants and cafes, wineries, breweries, cideries, and other culinary destinations greet travelers at every turn. At harvest time, hay rides, corn mazes, and cider pressings, and in winter, holiday events, sleigh rides and ice skating under clear skies, Christmas tree farms, and other activities offer fun times for the whole family. Bavarian Leavenworth, located in the heart of this region is the focus of many of these events and festivals. A visit to this region showcases once again a unique part of the Cascade Loop experience—one that will build lasting memories and draw visitors back again and again.

Native American Life Native Americans were the first to live in the foothills of the Cascades for thousands of years prior to Euro-American exploration and settlement. Because the foothills were often too cold for year-round habitation, many of the tribes on the east side of the mountains traveled seasonally and came to this area for fishing, gathering, and hunting, particularly spring through fall. Tribes and bands of the Wenatchi-P’squosa, Yakama, and Kittitas likely frequented the area. The Wenatchi-P’squosa were a peaceful, seminomadic group who spoke Salish. They wintered along the Columbia River and moved up the Wenatchee River in the spring to dig camas roots, pick berries, fish for salmon, and hunt for deer and other game. Every year they hosted large gatherings of tribes for the plentiful salmon harvest at Wenatshapam, a fishery that was located in what is now the Leavenworth area.

In the present-day vicinity of Cashmere, a village known as “Ntuatckam” was once occupied by the Sinpesquensi (or Sinkaensi or Sinpeskuensi) band of the Wenatchi. There were 400 people in the village in 1850. They referred to Mount Cashmere as “Po-Kum” in their native Salish language.

Many ancestors of the Wenatchi-P’squosa and other tribes and bands of the area are now part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Explorers, Pioneers, Settlement, and Community HistoryThe 1800s brought fur trappers and explorers to the area, followed by prospectors and settlers. Miners were some of the first non-native people that came to this area after gold was discovered in the Blewett Pass area in 1860. The mining camps brought a diversity of immigrants including Irish, Scandinavian, Chinese, German, and English who depended on the small settlement in the valley (present-day Leavenworth) for shipping, supplies, and liquor. This settlement was named “Icicle” an English adaptation of the Native American word “nasikelt” for the area, meaning “narrow-bottom canyon.”

Meanwhile a small townsite across the river, named Leavenworth, was originally settled in the 1890s and incorporated in 1906. Captain Charles Leavenworth, president of the Okanogan Investment Company, purchased the land and platted streets. The town boomed with the construction of the Great Northern Pacific Railway, supporting railroad-related industries as

well as providing transport for growing timber and mining industries. However, rerouting of the rail line and relocation of the rail yard to Wenatchee in the 1920s combined with the Great Depression of the 1930s and the closing of the sawmill led to instability in the local economy that lasted for 30 years until the town was reinvented as a Bavarian Village in the 1960s. Business leaders, troubled by the economic downswing and inspired by the Alpine scenery, decided to adopt a southern German theme for their small town. The idea was such a success that in 1978, the city council required a Bavarian theme for all new construction as a condition of a building permit. By the mid-1980s, a million tourists a year visited the slice of Bavaria surrounded by 9,000-foot peaks of the Cascades.

WENATCHI CHIEF JOHN HARMLETAt powow in Cashmere


The picturesque town of Cashmere was settled in the late 1800s on the southern bank of the Wenatchee River about half way between Leavenworth and Wenatchee, with the 8,500-foot Mount Cashmere and neighboring peaks of the Cascades clearly visible to the west. The first non-native settlers called the tiny village, “Mission” or “Old Mission.” During the period before the major influx of Euro-American settlers, Catholic missionaries, particularly Father Urban Grassi, worked to convert the Native Americans of the area and built several small missions in the area. The primary mission was St. Francis Xavier, constructed in 1873. Mission Creek, which flows into the Wenatchee in this vicinity, is also named for the historic missionary work. Timber and sheep ranching became popular activities in the valley and during the early days, Mission became a trading center. Before the railroad, early settlers and supplies to the area arrived by way of nearly impassable roads and trails from Ellensburg over Blewett Pass, treacherous even well into the automobile era. Others came by steamboat on the Columbia and by trails along the Wenatchee. The town

of Mission shared its name with several other towns in the Northwest, which caused confusion for mail and train service. Judge James Harvey Chase, famed for his public readings, suggested the name Cashmere from a popular and sentimental poem, “Lalla Rookh,” by Sir Thomas Moore, extolling the mountainous beauty of the Vale of Kashmir in Himalayan India. The new name was officially adopted on July 1, 1904.

The Great Northern Railway not only played an important role in the development of Leavenworth, but also many communities in the Cascade foothills, on both sides of Stevens Pass. One of these communities, the little town of Peshastin, was established in 1890 with a post office and a tavern located along the Blewett Pass cutoff road.

In 1892, when the railway laid tracks up the Wenatchee River Valley, the town was moved to its present location, across the Wenatchee River to the north and along the tracks. A depot was established there and the town thrived. In 1889, pioneers built the Peshastin Ditch, which became instrumental to the overall irrigation system of the area, delivering water by 1901 to the orchards in the slopes above Cashmere. This ditch eventually became part of the complex Wenatchee Valley system that included other ditches and the larger Highline Canal, an irrigation network that waters orchards and fields from Dryden to Wenatchee.

The introduction of irrigation throughout the Wenatchee Valley greatly enhanced agriculture, particularly the growing of apples and other fruit. When Armenian immigrants Armen Tertsagian and Mark Balaban arrived in the Cashmere area in 1918 and bought an apple farm they named Liberty Orchards in honor of their adopted country. Burdened with surplus perishable fruit, they came up with a method to dehydrate apples and to make Applum, a jam from apples and plums. In the early days, the Armenian orchardists used their fruit to make Rahat Locoum (also spelled Locoum and known as “Turkish Delight”), a candy they had enjoyed as children in their native Turkey. After much experimentation on a kitchen stove, they transformed their recipe into Aplets made from apples and walnuts and later Cotlets made from apricots.

Circa 1940sTOWN OF CASHMERE


Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesLeavenworth is now a center for culture, history, art, and recreation, and is a landmark destination in the Cascades that receives over two million visitors each year (and a permanent resident population of 1,965 per the 2010 census). Outside of the developed areas, scenic forests, meadows, and clear creeks abound. The area is known for year-round recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, and kayaking. While much of the present economy in the Leavenworth-Cascade Foothills region is generated from tourism, hospitality, and recreational activities, the long-term fruit-growing and agricultural activities of the valley continue to help stabilize the region as well. In the early 2000s, wineries also began popping up in the valley and other nearby regions.

Since its founding, the small town of Peshastin’s economy has been driven by agriculture, particularly fruit orchards (and this is also the same for the nearby small town of Dryden). Nearby Peshastin Pinnacles State Park is a popular rock-climbing destination. Like its neighboring communities, Cashmere’s economy is based in agriculture and tourism, and the community is home to many fruit-related businesses including orchards, cider mills, and wineries. Cashmere (population 3,063 as of 2010) also has recently become a well-known hub for white water rafting on the Wenatchee River.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

DOWNTOWN LEAVENWORTHParade in the Bavarian Village


REGION 4

Region 4 of the Cascade Loop passes through the Columbia

River Valley, known for its strong agricultural history and as a

thriving hub of North Central Washington. From the base of the

Cascade foothills byway travelers can visit the “Apple Capital

of the World” (Wenatchee) and enjoy a wide variety of cultural

and recreational activities before heading northward to Entiat

along the great Columbia River.

Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley

GeographyAs the Wenatchee River flows eastward to the confluence with the Columbia River, the elevation drops, and the valley opens to an even broader landscape known geographically as the Columbia Plateau. This region greatly benefits from the rain shadow effect of the Cascade Mountains with an average of 300 sunny days per year. Irrigation systems extend the waters of the

Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers to miles of agricultural lands surrounded by the shrub-steppe and Ponderosa pine dominant ecosystems that thrive in the naturally arid environment. The Wenatchee mountains are located to the south and west of Wenatchee with extensive recreation opportunities, including the Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort.SHRUB STEPPE LANDSCAPE

Balsamwood blooms in the spring


Native American Life and Early ExplorationThe Wenatchi-P’squosa people (also spelled Wenatchee) lived along their namesake river, which flowed from the Cascades into the Columbia. They spoke a version of the Salish language, also called Salishan and Interior Salish, which was similar to that spoken by the native peoples of Puget Sound and northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The name Wenatchi was referenced by the Yakama people to explorer Captain William Clark in 1804. Clark was mapping the locations of tribes along the Columbia River and as the Yakama people pointed upstream, they used the word “Wenatchi,” which was Sahaptian (Yakama language) for "water coming out," and this became a name that later explorers and settlers also used. The native people that lived in the area now known as Wenatchee actually called themselves the P’squosa people. They were semi-nomadic and lived closely with nature, traveling seasonally to gather, fish, and hunt.

When fur-trader and surveyor David Thompson canoed down the Columbia River in July of 1811, he was one of the first non-natives to explore the area. He noted two men on horseback at the mouth of the Wenatchee River that were probably Wenatchi-P’squosa. Thompson visited present-day Rock Island, where he recorded that he saw a village of approximately 120 families living in homes woven from tule rushes.

The Entiat people were another Columbia Plateau tribe that occupied the area from the Columbia River to the Cascade Mountains along the Entiat River. They also spoke a dialect of the Salishan language and eventually became part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which has over 9,000 descendants from twelve aboriginal tribes.

The confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers was the location of many tribal gatherings, including inter-tribal councils called by Chief Moses, the great leader of the Sinkiuse-Columbias. Because the location was accessible to the Entiat, Chelan, Methow, and other bands of the north, as well as the Columbias, Spokanes, Yakamas, Umatillas, and Walla Wallas to the south, it became a grand meeting place. Today this area is known as Wenatchee Confluence State Park.

In 1855, Wenatchi chief Tecolekun and other Native American leaders signed the Yakama Treaty at the Walla Walla Council with Governor Isaac Stevens. The treaty terminated the indigenous peoples’ title to 10.8 million acres of land in the region in exchange for a much smaller reservation land, cash, and other incentives. The treaty lumped together the Wenatchi and Chelan peoples as being part of the Consolidated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation even though they spoke a different language from the Yakamas. Most of the native people from the Wenatchee area eventually settled with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Not long after the 1855 treaties were signed in Walla Walla and other areas of the region, many tribes rejected the requirements imposed by Stevens, and there were conflicts across the Northwest. Historians have surmised that several of the Native American leaders who signed the treaties did not clearly understand what the tangible outcomes would be and felt they had been tricked into signing. A series of small wars broke out and tragically at one of these, American soldiers massacred native

CHIEF MOSESHistoric leader of the Columbia-Sinkiuse Indians


villagers on the White River, a tributary of Lake Wenatchee. Fishing rights to the Wenatshapam fishery (at present-day Leavenworth) were retracted (and only restored recently in 2008). Only a few small Native American villages near Lake Chelan remained by the late 1800s. Eventually, most of the native people of the Columbia Plateau moved onto either the reservations of the Colville, Yakama, or Umatilla (where several confederated tribes were gathered).

Trappers from the Pacific Fur Company, the North West Company, and the Hudson's Bay Company visited the Wenatchee and Chelan Valleys from the 1810s through the 1840s primarily for beaver pelts. A few decades later, prospectors and miners came to the area.

Pioneers, Settlement, and Community HistorySettlers arrived in the Wenatchee Valley in the 1870s and 1880s. The valley’s arid climate, rich and fertile volcanic soil, and proximity to the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers proved to be an excellent combination for agricultural success. Within just a few decades, Wenatchee became the center of the greatest apple-producing region in the world. The fruit industry drove the region’s growth and remains important today.

After 1888, state governance also influenced Wenatchee’s development as a town. At that time, the Chelan Valley became part of Okanogan County to the north, and the Wenatchee Valley was part of Kittitas County to the south. Anyone with official business had to travel upriver to Conconully or over Blewett Pass to Ellensburg. Judge Thomas Burke of the Wenatchee Development Company offered to clear title to five lots and a brick hotel as a courthouse if the county seat was placed in Wenatchee. Wenatchee was written into the bill as the county seat. In 1899, the State

Legislature created Chelan County out of the two other counties with Wenatchee as the county seat.

The railroad continued to bring more settlers and provided a means of shipping their stock and produce, but the real path to prosperity came with irrigation. Because the region is naturally arid, but located within the watershed of the vast Columbia River and the tributary rivers and streams flowing eastward from the Cascades, there was need for a sophisticated system of irrigation. Cash crops could not succeed without water. Farmers began to develop the system, piece by piece and found that with water and the long growing season with many days of sunshine, conditions were perfect for crops, particularly fruit trees. The Great Northern Railway provided access to the nationwide

Historic harvesting by handAPRICOT ORCHARD

Located ahead of the Wenatchee River Bridge

SIGN ERECTED IN 1950S


market for the region’s apples, pears, and cherries. Wenatchee incorporated in 1892, facing a bright and successful future.

Many of Wenatchee’s early leaders were tree fruit growers or owned agricultural businesses and supporting enterprises such as hardware stores and shipping companies. Businessmen and landowners began raising money for the Wenatchee Canal and the Highline Canal to run 14 miles from Dryden down to Wenatchee in 1901. This later became the Wenatchee Reclamation District. The federal Reclamation Act of 1902 allowed organization and funding of irrigation districts that had the authority of government in acquiring land and issuing bonds. Soon, construction of reservoirs and canals brought the rapid growth of the fruit industry. By the 1930s, the US government began construction of irrigation and flood control dams on the Columbia, including the Rock Island and Rocky Reach Dams.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesWenatchee is still the county seat of Chelan County and is one of the oldest and largest communities on the Cascade Loop. The City is the center of commerce for North Central Washington and a busy hub for residents, workers, farmers, ranchers, and industrialists of the surrounding region. The city’s population has been growing for many years and was 31,925 at the time of the 2010 census (a 14.6% increase from 2009). East Wenatchee, located directly across the Columbia River

from Wenatchee in Douglas County has a population of 13,190 in 2010 and is also growing. Agriculture plays an important role in the economy and serves as a solid base for the region. In spite of global competition in the fruit industry, particularly with Asian markets, the Washington state apple industry remains the largest in the country and includes the most efficient apple producers in the US. Many tree fruit growers in the area have been exploring ways to diversify and expand into other markets. For example, the wine industry continues to grow in the region with orchards being converted to vineyards.

Entiat, located north of Wenatchee, also in Chelan County, at the confluence of the Columbia and Entiat Rivers along US Highway 97A is another growing community with a year-round population of 1,112 in 2010. Entiat hosts seasonal residents including vacation homeowners and migrant agricultural workers. Historically, the city’s economy was driven by the timber industry and produce warehouses. With the decline in these industries, Entiat’s current economic development strategy aims to capitalize on the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Entiat Valley, particularly commercial and recreational development of Lake Entiat waterfront.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan. WENATCHEE TODAY

A place for year-round recreation opportunities and special events


REGION 5

The Lake Chelan Valley region of the Cascade Loop follows

US 97A to Lake Chelan and the towns of Chelan and Manson

and then back to the Columbia River.

Lake Chelan Valley

GeographyThe focal point of the Lake Chelan Valley is beautiful Lake Chelan, 50.5 miles long and a mile wide at its widest point. Fed by streams from the Cascade Range, the lake flows into the Columbia River via the Chelan River. Lake Chelan is the largest natural lake in Washington and is a remnant of ancient glacial activity in the region. The City of Chelan is located at the southwest end of the lake, where water flows into the Chelan River through the hydroelectric Lake Chelan Dam. The village of Manson is located on the east side of the lake, seven miles north of Chelan. Stehekin is a small remote town located at the northwest end of the lake, and is only accessible by boat, float plane or hiking in via the Pacific Crest Trail. The Stehekin River Valley extends from the north end of the lake and the Stehekin River is the largest inflow to Lake Chelan.

Native American Life The first people in the area were people from the Chelan tribe, Native Americans who got their name from the writings of fur trader Alexander Ross who described them as the "Tsill-ane” or “Tsi-laan” a Salish word that means “Deep Water.” Lake Chelan is indeed very deep, over 1,400 feet in places, and the third deepest freshwater lake in the country and ninth deepest in the world. The Chelan Tribe spent the winter along the south end of Lake Chelan and the short river (Chelan River) that drained the lake to the Columbia. Historical journals have indicated that the Chelan people paddled canoes 50 miles to the head of the lake and then followed a trail over the mountains to trade with the tribes of Puget Sound. This is consistent with the name of the river and place at the north end of the lake, Stehekin, which is derived from a Salish word that means “the way through.”LAKE CHELAN

Generations of family-run orchards are now growing wine grapes.


The culture and economy of the tribe centered around fishing, but they also gathered roots and berries and hunted game. Early fur traders taught them to cultivate potatoes. Extended families generally spent winters in permanent settlements of mat-covered longhouses and then dispersed from spring to autumn to fish and hunt. The Wenatchi-P’squosa shared the Wenatshapam fishery with the Chelans and other tribes. In the late 1700s, the tribes acquired horses for transportation and for food.

The Chelan tribe had several permanent villages in the Lake Chelan Valley. One at Willow Point, near Manson, had up to 500

WAPATO POINTOnce home to about 100 people of the Chelan Tribe.

occupants. Another on Wapato Point was home to about 100 people. They were frequently on the move, traveling in and out of the mountains with the seasons, collecting plants and hunting game.

Lake Chelan provided a relatively easy water transportation route from the Columbia River deep into the Cascades. Occasionally, to trade with or visit coastal relatives, the Chelans would canoe up to the head of the lake where they knew of a route that followed a swift stream between high peaks. Crossing between the glaciers and cliffs on the crest of the mountains, they descended through the tall

forests to the land of the Skagit people. The Chelan Tribe often traded mountain goat wool for dried clams and salmon, or for seashells, which they used for future trade or ornamentation.

By the 1860s, tribes of the region were decimated by smallpox epidemics and wars that broke out after the treaties. Native populations were drastically reduced, and the US government set aside reservation lands for various tribes and bands to live together. The Chelan people became part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Pioneers, Settlement, and Community HistorySimilarly to the history of the Wenatchee Valley, miners were some of the first non-natives to come to the Lake Chelan Valley area. Chinese miners looking for gold in the rivers and streams came to the area starting in about 1863 from California and established a village on the Columbia opposite the mouth of the Chelan. The settlement featured a store, a large garden, and buildings made of split cedar planks. In 1875, Native Americans from the Methow River attacked Chinese miners there and at the diggings near the village. An unknown number of Chinese were trapped against a cliff over the river and all were killed. This hastened the abandonment of the village.

With concerns about potential conflicts between tribes and settlers in the 1870s, the US Army established Camp Chelan at the foot of Lake Chelan to help bring security to the area and control the native population on the Moses Columbia Reservation. The fort was only active for about a year and then relocated to Spokane. Also in the 1870s, Father Alexander Diomedi, S.J., built a mission house at Chelan, but it was burned it down when the priest was absent in 1880. Native American parishioners built a new church along the lake near what would become Manson. The first Euro-American settlers in the Lake Chelan area were William Sanders and William Dumke. They arrived at the south


end of the lake the hard way, from the north, in 1886. They crossed the mountains from the Methow Valley and found the steep shoreline impassable. After losing their horse to a fatal fall, they had to carve a cedar log into a crude canoe and made their way 50 miles to the south end of the lake. In 1888, L.H. Woodin of Minneapolis arrived in the valley and paddled up the lake in a skiff. Woodin constructed a sawmill at the foot of the lake. Chelan's main street is named for Woodin. At the same time, local ranchers were beginning to realize that the climate was perfect for growing fruit trees. More settlers came and the town was platted, after which lots sold quickly. A post office was established in 1890, followed by a school in 1892 and the first resort hotel on the lake. Chelan was officially incorporated in 1902. The Ruby Theatre, which is still open today was constructed in 1914 and and celebrated 100 years in 2014. The first float plane flight to Stehekin began in 1945 by Chelan Airways.

The nearby village of Manson was established in 1911 and named in 1912 for Manson F. Backus, president of the Lake Chelan Land Company. Never officially incorporated, Manson maintains the sense of a friendly village just as it was when occupied by Native Americans for hundreds of years.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesToday’s main industries in the Lake Chelan Valley are tourism and agriculture including orchards, vineyards, and other crops. The dry, four-season climate makes the area ideal for year-round visitors. Recreational opportunities include hiking, golfing, fishing, boating and numerous other water-centric outdoor activities in the summer, and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and tubing in the winter. Miles of trails in the Echo Ridge area to the south are available for hiking and mountain biking in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Festivals and events offer something interesting for visitors throughout the year.

Lake Chelan is the 11th American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington State, a designation granted by the federal government. The Lake Chelan AVA is encompassed completely within the larger Columbia Valley AVA, but Lake Chelan has a higher elevation and more temperate climate than the more southern AVAs also contained within the Columbia Valley. The 24,040-acre Lake Chelan AVA includes the southern and eastern portions of land surrounding the lake and shares a northern border with the Columbia Valley AVA. Due to the ice age glaciers that formed Lake Chelan, the soil surrounding it has distinctive properties such as coarse, sandy sediment with notable amounts of quartz and mica, and these result in grapes with discernible textures, minerals, and nutrients. The wineries and viticulture activities draw thousands of visitors each year.

Chelan had a population of 3,890 in the 2010 census, but this only represents the permanent year-round population. The population of the small community swells

during the summer, when thousands of visitors are attracted to the valley for vacations and holidays. Manson has a year round population of 1,468 (based on the 2010 census), and like the City of Chelan, the population increases substantially during the summer. Both Chelan and Manson gradually increase in population each year, as the area continues to thrive as a resort destination and agricultural center.

Stehekin, located at the north end of Lake Chelan, is also an unincorporated community with fewer than 100 year-round residents. The community is a National Historic District and part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. Unlike Chelan and Manson, Stehekin is not accessible by car, only by boat, floatplane or on foot. A passenger ferry from Chelan to Stehekin takes 3 hours.

For more information about the activites and destinations in the Lake Chelan region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

View from Echo RidgeLAKE CHELAN


Chelan Tribal Legend

Long, long ago, the Creator, the Great Chief Above, made the world. Then he made the animals and the birds and gave them their names--Coyote, Grizzly Bear, Deer, Fox, Eagle, the four Wolf Brothers, Magpie, Bluejay, Hummingbird, and all the others. When he had finished his work, the Creator called the animal people to him. "I am going to leave you," he said. "But I will come back. When I come again, I will make human beings. They will be in charge of you."

The Great Chief returned to his home in the sky, and the animal people scattered to all parts of the world. After twelve moons, the animal people gathered to meet the Creator as he had directed. Some of them had complaints. Bluejay, Meadowlark, and Coyote did not like their names. Each of them asked to be some other creature.

"No," said the Creator. "I have given you your names. There is no change. My word is law.

"Because you have tried to change my law, I will not make the human being this time. Because you have disobeyed me, you have soiled what I brought with me. I planned to

change it into a human being. Instead, I will put it in water to be washed for many moons and many snows, until it is clean again."

Then he took something from his right side and put it in the river. It swam, and the Creator named it Beaver.

"Now I will give you another law," said the Great Chief Above. "The one of you who keeps strong and good will take Beaver from the water some day and make it into a human being. I will tell you now what to do. Divide Beaver into twelve parts. Take each part to a different place and breathe into it your own breath. Wake it up. It will be a human being with your breath. Give it half of your power and tell it what to do. Today I am giving my power to one of you. He will have it as long as he is good."

When the Creator had finished speaking, all the creatures started for their homes--all except Coyote. The Great Chief had a special word for Coyote. "You are to be head of all the creatures, Coyote. You are a power just like me now, and I will help you do your work. Soon

This story has been passed down by the Chelan people, who lived beside the long lake in the Chelan (pronounced sha- lan), meaning "Beautiful Water".


the creatures and all the other things I have made will become bad. They will fight and will eat each other. It is your duty to keep them as peaceful as you can.

"When you have finished your work, we will meet again, in this land toward the east. If you have been good, if you tell the truth and obey me, you can make the human being from Beaver. If you have done wrong, someone else will make him."

Then the Creator went away.

It happened as the Creator had foretold. Everywhere the things he had created did wrong. The mountains swallowed the creatures. The winds blew them away. Coyote stopped the mountains, stopped the winds, and rescued the creatures. One winter, after North Wind had killed many people, Coyote made a law for him: "Hereafter you can kill only those who make fun of you."

Everywhere Coyote went, he made the world better for the animal people and better for the human beings yet to be created. When he had finished his work, he knew that it was time to meet the Creator again. Coyote thought that he had been good, that he would be the one to make the first human being. But he was mistaken. He thought that he had as much power as the Creator. So he tried, a second time, to change the laws of the Great Chief Above.

"Some other creature will make the human being," the Creator told Coyote. "I shall take you out into the ocean and give you a place to stay for all time."

So Coyote walked far out across the water to an island. There the Creator stood waiting for him, beside the house he had made. Inside the house on the west side stood a black suit of clothes. On the other side hung a white suit. "Coyote, you are to wear this black suit for six months," said the Creator. "Then the weather will be cold and dreary. Take off the black suit and wear the white suit. Then there will be summer, and everything will grow. "I will give you my power not to grow old. You will live here forever and forever."

Coyote stayed there, out in the ocean, and the four Wolf brothers took his place as the head of all the animal people. Youngest Wolf Brother was strong and good and clever. Oldest Wolf Brother was worthless. So the Creator gave Youngest Brother the power to take Beaver from the water.

One morning Oldest Wolf Brother said to Youngest Brother, "I want you to kill Beaver. I want his tooth for a knife." "Oh, no!" exclaimed Second and Third Brothers. "Beaver is too strong for Youngest Brother." But Youngest Wolf said to his brothers, "Make four spears. For Oldest Brother, make a spear with four forks. For me, make a spear with one fork.


Make a two-forked spear and a three-forked spear for yourselves. I will try my best to get Beaver, so that we can kill him."

All the animal persons had seen Beaver and his home. They knew where he lived. They knew what a big creature he was. His family of young beavers lived with him.

The animal persons were afraid that Youngest Wolf Brother would fail to capture Beaver and would fail to make the human being. Second and Third Wolf Brothers also were afraid. "I fear we will lose Youngest Brother," they said to each other. But they made the four spears he had asked for.

At dusk, the Wolf brothers tore down the dam at the beavers' home, and all the little beavers ran out. About midnight, the larger beavers ran out. They were so many, and they made so much noise, that they sounded like thunder. Then Big Beaver ran out, the one the Creator had put into the water to become clean.

"Let's quit!" said Oldest Wolf Brother, for he was afraid. "Let's not try to kill him."

"No!" said Youngest Brother. "I will not stop."Oldest Wolf Brother fell down. Third Brother fell down. Second Brother fell down. Lightning flashed. The beavers still sounded like thunder. Youngest Brother took the four-forked spear

and tried to strike Big Beaver with it. It broke. He used the three- forked spear. It broke. He used the two-forked spear. It broke. Then he took his own one--forked spear. It did not break. It pierced the skin of Big Beaver and stayed there. Out of the lake, down the creek, and down Big River, Beaver swam, dragging Youngest Brother after it.

Youngest Wolf called to his brothers, "You stay here. If I do not return with Beaver in three days, you will know that I am dead."

Three days later, all the animal persons gathered on a level place at the foot of the mountain. Soon they saw Youngest Brother coming. He had killed Beaver and was carrying it. "You remember that the Creator told us to cut it into twelve pieces," said Youngest Brother to the animal people. But he could divide it into only eleven pieces.

Then he gave directions. "Fox, you are a good runner. Hummingbird and Horsefly, you can fly fast. Take this piece of Beaver flesh over to that place and wake it up. Give it your breath."

Youngest Brother gave other pieces to other animal people and told them where to go. They took the liver to Clearwater River, and it became the Nez Perce Indians. They took the heart across the mountains, and it became the Methow Indians. Other parts became the

Spokane people, the Lake people, the Flathead people. Each of the eleven pieces became a different tribe.

"There have to be twelve tribes," said Youngest Brother. "Maybe the Creator thinks that we should use the blood for the last one. Take the blood across the Shining Mountains and wake it up over there. It will become the Blackfeet. They will always look for blood."

When an animal person woke the piece of Beaver flesh and breathed into it, he told the new human being what to do and what to eat.

"Here are roots," and the animal people pointed to camas and kouse and to bitterroot, "You will dig them, cook them, and save them to eat in the winter. "Here are the berries that will ripen in the summer. You will eat them and you will dry them for use in winter."

The animal people pointed to chokecherry trees, to serviceberry bushes, and to huckleberry bushes. "There are salmon in all the rivers. You will cook them and eat them when they come up the streams. And you will dry them to eat in the winter."

When all the tribes had been created, the animal people said to them "Some of you new people should go up Lake Chelan. Go up to the middle of the lake and look at the cliff beside the water. There you will see pictures on the rock. From the pictures you will learn how to make the things you will need."

The Creator had painted the pictures there, with red paint. From the beginning until long after the white people came, the native people went to Lake Chelan and looked at the paintings. They saw pictures of bows and arrows and of salmon traps. From the paintings of the Creator they knew how to make the things they needed for getting their food.


REGION 6

THE METHOW VALLEY (NEAR TWISP)

This region of the Cascade Loop—The Methow Valley—extends

from the confluence of the Columbia River and Methow Rivers

to the North Cascades, encompassing the beautiful and scenic

Methow Valley. Following SR 153 westward to SR 20 the

byway meanders as it follows the Methow River and passes

through several small historic towns.

The Methow Valley

Land of sunny, blue skies with the scenic Cascades as a backdrop


GeographyFormed as a result of ancient glacial activity, the scenic Methow Valley encompasses the Methow and Twisp Rivers and various tributary creeks and streams that flow from the eastern slopes of the Cascades through the valley to join the Columbia River. As the eastern gateway to the North Cascades, the Methow Valley is surrounded by protected forest and wilderness lands, making it a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts seeking year-round adventure, including thousands of miles of trails. A mosaic of high mountain meadows and pasture lands surrounded by a backdrop of mountain peaks, the scenic qualities of this region are extraordinary.

Native American Life The first people to inhabit the Methow Valley arrived thousands of years ago. Native Americans of the Methow Tribe lived in the valley, sometimes year-round. Others lived there seasonally during warmer months where they gathered and stored food for the winter, and they wintered in the warmer Columbia River Basin. Evidence of pit houses has been found at eighteen sites in the Methow Valley. Pit houses were partially excavated depressions that were covered with wooden frameworks and woven mats of grass or reeds for roofing. US Forest Service researchers also found evidence that the early inhabitants carved canoes from giant

Settlers brought sheep to graze in the Methow.

EARLY RANCHING

CHILIWIST TRAILNative Americans used this trail between Okanogan and Methow Valley


cedars that grew in the upper valley, leaving stumps of trees believed to have been about 500 years old at the time they were cut.

By the early 1800s the Methow people and other tribes of the region were riding horses, which assisted their seasonal travel. They set up large temporary camps at traditional gathering places and smaller outlying camps where they obtained and processed food and other resources. The Methow Indians were a distinct tribe that fished, hunted, and gathered food throughout the valley. They fished with spears and dip nets and built weirs (fish traps) in some spots, including one just below the current site of Twisp. Summer and fall camps were occupied during hunting and gathering seasons.

Similarly to other tribes of the region, the population of the Methow people was

severely depleted after the smallpox epidemics that began in the late 18th century. Population was said to be cut in half during the first half of the 19th century, and then depleted by half again by 1900. In 1883 there were a little over 300 Methow people. The Methow Valley was included in an area of land reserved by the federal government for Chief Moses and the Columbia River Indians. That original reservation extended from the Canadian border south to include Lake Chelan and from the crest of the Cascade Mountains on the west to the Columbia River on the east. These reservation boundaries were later changed by executive orders issued in 1883 and 1886 by presidents Chester A. Arthur and Grover Cleveland. After this many of the remaining Methow people joined other tribes at the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Pioneers, Settlement, and Community HistoryBy the mid to late 1800s, fur trappers, followed by miners and settlers came to the valley. The land was settled by ranchers, who brought cattle, sheep, and horses to graze through the warm months. Farming, ranching and logging also became a part of the Methow Valley heritage. Inspired by the discovery of gold at nearby Brewster, prospectors came into the valley and up the tributaries of the Twisp and Methow Rivers. Mining encampments such as Gilbert at the headwaters of the Twisp River, and Squaw Creek outside the later town of Methow,

sprang up but then disappeared as prospects failed. There were few profitable mines in the region, but gold, silver, copper, and various minerals were discovered over the “mining boom” years of the 1890s. The interest and activity of the early miners and their families led to the development of towns, businesses, roads, and trails. Suppliers and stores emerged to serve the miners. In some cases, the miners stayed and became ranchers and loggers.

Homesteaders intent on establishing permanent communities found the land and climate conducive to ranching, and there was a ready market for beef in the nearby mining camps as well as larger communities such as Wenatchee and by rail to Seattle. However, few regions were as isolated as the Methow Valley, which kept many potential homesteaders and settlers at bay. In the early days there were few routes leading to the valley. Some settlers journeyed by train to Spokane, Sprague, or Ellensburg and then came overland to the Methow, which involved a treacherous crossing of the Columbia River. The Chiliwist Trail, a rustic path used by Native Americans, became the main link between the Okanogan and Methow Valleys, but the trip between the valleys took at least two and a half days and was almost impassible by wagon due to the steepness of the route. It was not until 1905 that the state legislature proposed road construction between Pateros on the Columbia

Named Pateros after a village in the Phillipines.

CHARLES ED NOSLER


to Robinson Creek 20 miles beyond Winthrop. The Washington State Highway Department was created in 1905, and the Methow Valley road was the first highway built by the state, which was originally completed in 1909 and paved by 1938.

In the late 1880s, settlers moved to the mouth of the Methow River on the Columbia near present-day Pateros. They lived in harmony with Native Americans who lived across the Methow River in tepees, and about 20 Chinese placer miners who discovered gold a few miles away and who made homes in dugouts in the hillside. The community that would become Pateros grew as settlers, miners, trappers, and cattlemen told others of the beauty of area, and how the land was covered in wildflowers and bunch grass. There was plenty of wild game as well as fish. By 1888 the area was made available for homesteaders. Around 1888-89 sternwheelers started running the Columbia River from Wenatchee to Bridgeport on a fairly regular schedule, and were instrumental in the development of Pateros. With the first post office, the town needed a name, so it was briefly called Nera, probably a misspelling of Rena Ives name. It was then changed to Ives/Ives Landing in 1896 and finally to Pateros in 1900. Charles Ed Nosler came to Pateros with his family and single sister, Ella Nosler and renamed the community Pateros after a village he had known in the Philippines. Pateros was incorporated in 1913. The Great Northern Railroad came to the area in 1914 extending up from Wenatchee and down from Oroville. (This was the closest the railroad would come to the Methow.) With the era of the railroad, the era of the sternwheelers on the river faded. Pateros prospered as the surrounding agricultural industry grew. Several local apple growers grew prized varieties such as Winesaps, Jonathons, and Spitzenbergs. Packing and sorting the apples was a family affair involving the whole family, including the children, as it didn’t take long for the farmer to learn that it was quality not quantity that made money. Small farms started building storage and packing sheds right on their property. By

1913 there was an estimated 1 million fruit trees planted in Okanogan County, and a reputation for quality fruit was being established.

Meanwhile, up the Methow River, several towns were being settled. The Town of Twisp was established when homesteader Henry C. Glover platted a town he called Glovers-Ville. That same year a small store was established, and shortly thereafter, a post office. In 1898 Glover succeeded James Colwell as postmaster of the town, which by then was called Twisp. Although the origin of the town’s later name is not known, some have speculated that it is a Native American word for wasp or yellow jacket or the sound made by a wasp. There is no evidence to support this claim.

In the late 1800s, families of the Methow Tribe were still a familiar sight to the early homesteaders. Members of the tribe continued to camp in their traditional spots, including on both sides of the Methow River at its confluence with the Twisp River; in Heckendorn at the south end of present-day Winthrop; and on homesteads whose residents welcomed them and with whom they visited and traded goods. According to the book Bound for the Methow, Charlie Klinkert, who ran the salmon hatchery in Twisp in 1898, once counted 200 tepees at an encampment near the hatchery.

By 1904, Twisp was considered one of the leading towns of Okanogan County. A population of miners and ranchers supported a number of local businesses, including several general stores, a doctor (who also owned a drug store), butcher shops, livery barns, a hotel, a boarding house with a billiard room, a blacksmith shop, two restaurants, a bank, a real estate office, a barber shop, two saloons, a state fish hatchery, an opera house, a weekly newspaper, and a Methodist church. Twisp was incorporated in 1909, and elected its first officers. The main issues to come before the five-member town council were stock running loose, liquor licenses for saloons, curfews, and peddlers. Electricity and the valley's first movie house came to Twisp in 1911.

Winthrop, located at the confluence of the Methow River and its tributary, the Chewuch (Chewack) River, was another town serving miners and trappers who camped in the

The first true western novel.THE VIRGINIAN

Opened by Guy Waring, 1910DUCK BRAND SALOON


area, as well as ever increasing numbers of homesteaders. Easterner Guy Waring opened a trading post in Winthrop in 1892, which was incorporated as the Methow Trading Company in 1897. In 1901 Waring’s Trading Company platted the town (later incorporated in 1924). Waring took over the position of postmaster in early 1892 and angered some of the locals by requesting that the name of the town be changed to Waring. It already bore the name of Theodore Winthrop, a Yale graduate who had traveled around Washington Territory and in 1853 published the book Canoe and Saddle describing his adventures.

Waring opened additional branches and trading posts at Pateros and Twisp and in several of the mining districts in the surrounding Cascades. However, by 1910, he was overextended and consolidated his mercantile business at Winthrop. Waring soon built his family a larger log home, which locals dubbed “the castle” because of its prominence on a hillside overlooking the town. It now houses the Okanogan Historical Society’s Shafer Museum. Waring also established a sawmill and later a gristmill, and he opened and managed the Duck Brand Saloon, with its strict rules about hours of operation and standards of conduct, further alienated Waring from many of the locals. Waring’s Harvard classmate, Owen Wister, visited him in 1892 and 1898, and later became a best-selling author of The Virginian, the first true Western novel. Although the book was set in Wyoming, there is evidence that

some of the characters and incidents in the novel were based on Wister’s experiences in Winthrop. Waring’s colorful life and the presence of the Methow Trading Company, although it ultimately failed, helped to support the survival of Winthrop in the remote Methow Valley.

The area suffered its share of fires, floods, and devastating snowfalls and freezes. These events, along with the town’s remote existence, caused it to struggle off and on for decades. With completion of the North Cascades Highway in 1972, townspeople reinvented Winthrop by restoring buildings to their early frontier appearance over the next several years. The North Cascades Highway brought many visitors from the Puget Sound region. Otto Wagner, lumberman and sawmill operator, and his wife Kathryn (Kay) had proposed the idea of restoring the town’s western theme. Although Otto Wagner did not live to see the project completed, Kay carried on the dream and hired Leavenworth architect Robert Jorgensen, artists and builders. Local merchants all contributed to the restoration of Winthrop, which involved meticulous research of local historic photographs and travel to see examples of other Western towns. The town’s popularity as a place to visit in the North Cascades continues more than 40 years later. Even in winter, when the North Cascades Highway is closed, visitors are drawn by the many recreational opportunities and spectacular scenery of the Methow Valley, along with the Old West experience of Winthrop.

Further west, at the base of the North Cascades, yet another small town sprang up in the late 19th century, originally called "Goat Creek", after a creek at the base of nearby Goat Peak (then called Goat Mountain). When a post office was secured in 1899, the settlers chose a name they thought was Greek for "mountain goat". They later discovered that they had looked in the wrong dictionary and, according to Edmond S. Meany, the meaning of "Mazama" was "mountain goat" in Spanish, not Greek.

Remains a popular activity in the Methow Valley.CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

WAGNER MILLTimber was an important industry in Twisp.


Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesPateros is a small but bustling scenic town on the Columbia River with a population of 667 (2010 Census) and a popular place for vacation homes given its proximity to the backcountry. Permanent and seasonal residents enjoy a myriad of nearby recreation opportunities such as backpacking, hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking, golfing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing. Visitors often make a stop in Pateros to enjoy a picnic along the river under one of the park gazebos, or large shady trees. A variety of motels and restaurants cater to travelers offering gourmet fare and local wines. Public art is on display throughout the town.

The towns of the Methow Valley continue to support residents year-round, but today’s economy is focused on tourism and recreation. Warmer months draw visitors seeking hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, fly fishing, and other outdoor opportunities. During winter months, visitors are drawn by the region’s world-renowned cross-country ski trail system, boasting 120 miles of groomed Nordic trails. For more information visit the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA). Vacation getaways as well as year-round homes of retirees have sprung up throughout the valley. Retirees have boosted the local economy and provide much support to the cultural life of the valley. Whether lifelong residents or newcomers, many retirees provide volunteer staffing for the museum, the library, the information center, and such annual events as the popular Methow Chamber Music Festival.

Twisp is the largest town and economic hub of the valley. In recent decades, employment levels in the town have steadily eroded with the decline of the timber industry, the closure of the lumber mill, and the US Forest Service's consolidation of the Twisp and Winthrop ranger districts, vacating more than six acres of land and 17 buildings within the city limits. (A Twisp Public Development Authority was formed and acquired the land in 2009.)

Since the 1985 closure of the Wagner Mill, Twisp’s economy has relied on small-scale agriculture, small-scale manufacture – such as welders and cabinet makers – and tourism.With the growth of tourism and interest in the valley as a retirement destination, population and employment are now growing, along with businesses and services to meet new residents’ needs. Bicyclists and cross-country skiers have joined the hunters and

THE DUCK BRAND HOTELAre a familiar sight in the Methow ValleyCOUNTRY FARMS & BARNS

Full of history and local character


snowmobilers who've been coming to the Methow for decades. Twisp is also becoming a vibrant community of resident artists and four non-profit arts advocacy organizations. Public art is on display throughout Twisp and the valley and valley artists show and sell their works in local galleries and studios.

Although Twisp has the most commercial enterprises and basic services in the valley, it still is a rural place. As of the 2010 census, the population within town limits was 919. This number is somewhat misleading because many more people live in the surrounding unincorporated area, especially in the Twisp River valley, and it doesn’t include the seasonal residents who have vacation homes in the valley.

Winthrop’s population in the 2010 census was 394, and the town continues to be a popular tourist destination. Town residents

and business owners work hard to maintain the western frontier character of the town. Winthrop continues to hum along within the beautiful valley that famous author Owen Wister called “a smiling country, winning the heart at sight.” Mazama, upvalley to the west, is a small unincorporated community with approximately 200 residents. Today it is an outdoor recreation destination for rock climbers, mountaineers and Nordic skiers, along with the rest of the valley. Much of the Methow Valley is now protected land. The Lake Chelan National Recreation area (part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex) comprises much of the protected land south of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to the north. The nonprofit Methow Conservancy, with headquarters in Winthrop, is dedicated to “inspiring people to care for the land of the Methow Valley” by means of conservation easements that have protected 18.3 miles of critical riparian shoreline habitat along the Methow River and its tributaries. According to the Methow Conservancy’s website, these conservation easements: “help families keep their farms and ranches and protect the open space and scenic views that regularly draw tens of thousands of visitors to the Valley.”

For more information about the activities and destinations in The Methow Valley region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

GeographyExtending more than 130 miles through lands managed by the US Forest Service and National Park Service and across the steep, jagged peaks of the Cascades, the North Cascades Scenic Highway (SR 20) is a segment of the Cascade Loop and a national and state scenic byway unto its own. SR 20 is the northernmost pass across the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. Following a route that was once almost impassable and that took months for early explorers to cross on-foot or horseback, the North Cascades Highway was completed in 1972 and enables modern travelers to drive across the mountains within a few hours—between breakfast and lunch.

Alpine glaciers are a defining feature of the North Cascades. The volcanic peaks of Mount Baker and Glacier Peak have the largest glaciers, but many of the smaller nonvolcanic peaks are also glaciated. There are more than 300 glaciers in the North Cascades National Park Complex along with several peaks rising above 9,000 feet in elevation. The dramatic scenery results from the sharp changes in elevation with sheer walls of granite dropping thousands of feet. The mountains drop as low as 400 feet in elevation at their base along the Skagit River on the west side. The Skagit River and its tributary streams comprise the largest watershed draining into

Home to more than 300 glaciersTHE NORTH CASCADES


REGION 7

The North Cascades region of the Cascade Loop Scenic

Highway traverses a spectacular glacial mountain landscape

with breath-taking scenery on the journey out of the Methow

Valley and over the rugged, high elevations of Cascade Pass,

eventually descending into the Upper Skagit Valley and

western foothills.

North Cascades

Puget Sound. Rivers and streams on the east side of the mountains drain to the Columbia River.

The rugged topography, along with variations in soil types, precipitation, and exposure create a wide diversity of ecosystems from lowland forests and wetlands to high alpine and subalpine landscapes amid the glaciated peaks. These conditions result in a broad variety of habitats for plants and animals. There are 1,600 identified species in the North Cascades National Park Complex that share the diverse, expansive landscape. High mountain meadows, filled with colorful wildflowers in the warmer months, greet travelers as they ascend the pass. With high levels of precipitation in the mountains, the Cascades form a divide between the wetter west side along Puget Sound and the more arid east side.

The mountains offer abundant recreation opportunities including trails for hiking and backpacking, cross-country skiing, camping, fishing, rock climbing, wildlife watching, and a variety of other outdoor adventures.

Winter weather conditions and high accumulations of snow create the need to close a 37-mile segment of State Route 20 over the North Cascades Pass each year from late fall/early winter to spring. During this time, visitors can still access winter recreation opportunities all around the Cascade Loop including the Methow Valley’s many winter activities by traveling over the Cascades via SR 2 to Wenatchee, and then following US 97 alternate route to SR 153.

Native American Life Native Americans have lived in and near the North Cascades for thousands of years. Forging ancient travel routes within valleys and along ridges in the mountains, prehistoric people came to the Cascades in search of animal and plant resources. They hunted game for food, furs, and hides to make leather goods and clothing, including deer and mountain goat. They fished at the many lakes, rivers, and streams. They gathered plants and berries for epicurean and medicinal uses (Elderberry was a favored plant) and they came to the mountains for rock and mineral resources. The gold-seekers of the 1800s were not the first miners in the Cascades.

Archaeological evidence indicates that people inhabited the area at least as long as 9,600 years ago. Artifacts have been found in even the most rugged areas of North Cascades National Park. The lives of native people were closely tied to the natural environment of the North Cascades and they learned to adapt to the severe and rapidly changing conditions in the mountains. Many of the names of places in the region (including mountains, rivers, and other landmarks) are derived from Native American language. For example, Hozomeen Mountain gets its name from

Meaning “sharp like a knife” in the native languageHOZOMEEN MOUNTAIN

“As early as eight thousand years ago, chert—quartz formed from ancient microscopic organisms

that fractures like obsidian and so can be flaked into sharp-edged pieces—was mined for making

scrapers, knives, and other tools.”

According to the book The North Cascades Highway, A Roadside Guide to the American Alps, by Jack McLeod:


permitted access to the high country, reports exist that the Upper Skagit people may have traversed Cascade Pass in winter en route to Lake Chelan.

Tribes besides the Upper Skagit known to have lived in and near the North Cascades included the Nooksack, Chilliwack, Chelan, and others. The National Park Service regularly conducts archaeological research in the park and has documented 260 prehistoric sites. As a result of this research it is clear that the subalpine landscape of the North Cascades contributed importantly to Native American economies.

Early Explorers, Fur Traders, and MinersNorthwest explorers seeking passage to the Pacific Ocean entered only the lower reaches of the North Cascades. Some of the first non-native people to explore the North Cascades were Euro-American fur traders who came to the wilderness on foot and by canoe in the late 1700s. Alexander Ross, a Scottish fur trader, crossed Twisp Pass and descended Bridge Creek to the Stehekin River and followed it upstream to the Cascade Pass and then traced the Cascade River downstream to its confluence with the Skagit River in 1814. This was the earliest recorded crossing of the North Cascades by a Euro-American. Maps of the Washington Territory of 1860 show large areas labeled as “unexplored” by non-natives. Fur trapping was primarily a winter activity, a difficult time to be in the mountains, yet many trappers in the 1800s were successful given the

abundance of beaver, bear, cougar, wolf, lynx, fisher, marten, and fox in the North Cascades.

By the mid to late 1800s, gold was discovered in the North Cascades. Lieutenant Henry Pierce, assigned to the US Army to explore the North Cascades region of Washington Territory discovered gold-bearing quartz near Eldorado Peak in 1882. Gold and silver were periodically mined from the rugged wilderness peaks of the North Cascades up to the 1950s. Gold was discovered along Ruby, Thunder, and Slate Creeks, and thousands of miners came staking hundreds of claims. However, gold was very scarce and not many struck it rich. Over the next few decades, miners turned their attention to silver and lead located higher in the mountains.

the words that mean “sharp like a knife.” Other names include Sahale, Nooksack, Shuksan, Nohokomeen, Skagit, and Stehekin. The crest of the Cascades became a cultural divide that separated the peoples of the Columbia River Basin to the east from those on the west side of the mountains in the Puget Lowlands and Northwest Coast. A trade network connected the tribes on either side of the mountains, enabling the sharing of abundant resources. Tribes traveled across the mountains to trade, often following along ridge lines to avoid dense vegetation of the valleys and stream bottoms. The use of these early passages across the mountains required intimate knowledge of the terrain and landscapes. Evidence shows that Lake Chelan and Upper Skagit groups used Cascade Pass regularly as a trade route through the mountains. They called the pass “Stehekin” meaning “the way through.” The Upper Skagit people reportedly stored canoes at the head of Lake Chelan to use on their trips downlake. While crossing of the pass mainly occurred in summer and fall, when milder weather and melting snow

Used canoes to reach trading partners on Lake ChelanUPPER SKAGIT TRIBES

HOLDEN MINE (PRESENT DAY)Was one of the more successful mines for gold.


Ultimately the costs of mining outweighed the value of the resources being extracted for the most part. Not many mines were successful, with the exception of the Holden Mine, located near Lake Chelan, southwest of Stehekin. As miners continued to seek their fortunes, they also helped build wagon roads, bridges, tunnels, and cabins and small mining camps and towns began to form throughout the region. Historic archeological sites in North Cascades National Park include mines and mining camps, fire lookouts, sheep herder camps, sawmills, homesteads, and others.

Loggers and SettlersAfter miners dreams were dashed by the lack of gold, many traveled into the Skagit and Stehekin

Valleys and found other work. Many miners became loggers in the Skagit and Stehekin Valleys and worked to bring timber to the mills for local use. After clearing of a massive natural log jam that blocked the lower Skagit River in the 1870s, logs were rafted down the river to be milled at settlements downstream. In the Stehekin Valley, logs were rafted down Lake Chelan and used to make apple boxes. Commercial logging that began in the 1860s stayed primarily on the west side in low-elevation forests, and most of the lands that are now part of the North Cascades National Park Complex were never commercially logged. The most intensive logging that occurred in the North Cascades was for construction of the Skagit River hydroelectric project in the twentieth century.

The lack of an adequate transportation system impeded efforts to expand logging deeper into the mountains and was also a deterrent to settlers. Roads were built up the Cascade River and along the Stehekin River, from Bridge Creek to what is now Cottonwood Camp, and beyond to Horseshoe Basin, but each winter avalanches and flooding in the high country damaged the Stehekin road.

After mining towns and camps dissipated, some miners chose to stay and take up permanent residence in the North Cascades. Settlements occurred in the Cascade, Skagit, and Stehekin River valleys, but early settlers faced many challenges in the rugged environment. After the Washington Territory opened to homesteading in 1846, it was not until the late 1870s, with the clearing of the natural logjam on the Skagit River, that settlers moved upriver. Settlement along the Stehekin River occurred later because the northeast side of the river and Lake Chelan were part of the Chief Moses Indian Reservation that was reserved for Native Americans. In 1883, the reservation was dissolved, and the land was open for settlement.

Many early settlers were not farmers but shopkeepers and innkeepers who came to sell goods and services to the trappers and prospectors. Marblemount, at the confluence of the Cascade and Skagit rivers, was established as a base for miners; the first wagon road was built into the area in 1892.

1900s History and Hydroelectric DevelopmentBy the 1900s, people began to recognize that the rivers in the North Cascades had tremendous value for hydroelectric development. The David family constructed the first power plant on the Skagit River in the 1920s with a waterwheel powered by nearby Stetattle Creek. Similar wheels were used to produce electrical power along Thunder Creek and the Stehekin River.

Major hydroelectric development of the Skagit River began in 1918 when Seattle City Light was issued permits to begin

FISHING ON THE STEHEKIN RIVERIn the background is the Field Hotel, removed when the dam raised the lake level in 1927.


during the early 1900s ported at Rockport. Opened in 1961, Rockport State Park is home to old-growth timber, covering nearly 600 acres, which was entrusted into Washington State ownership in 1935. Today, the park is a popular place to visit to see the old growth forest, as well as for camping and hiking trails.

Other towns down valley located along the Skagit River include Hamilton and Lyman. Hamilton was first settled in 1877 by William Hamilton and later was named for him when Hamilton was incorporated in 1891. Hamilton’s early industry was influenced by the coal boom of the 1870s-1890s, after coal was discovered nearby. However, the coal in the area proved to be too expensive to extract and the industry didn’t successfully develop there.

Instead Hamilton residents became involved in logging and agriculture like many other small towns in the area.

Lyman, named for B.L. Lyman the town’s first postmaster and officially incorporated in 1909 prospered in early days as a mill town focused on the timber industry. With the 1929 depression, the mill closed, and the population of Lyman began to decline. Agriculture became the principal industry of the town and the advent of the automobile allowed residents to remain in Lyman and commute to other towns and cities for employment (such as Sedro-Woolley and Burlington). In the 1930s, the Truman Estate in Lyman housed more than 100 workers from the US Government’s Civilian Conservation Corps, which also helped the town’s economy.

construction of three dams on the river. Seattle City Light eventually built a railroad up the Skagit Valley to company towns of Newhalem and Diablo built for employees of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Diablo Dam, which was the highest dam in the world at the time at 389 feet, was completed in 1930, Ross Dam at 540 feet was completed in 1949, and Gorge Dam at 300 feet was completed in 1961.

An expansive limestone deposit in the Skagit Valley became the focus of cement production that was used, among many other purposes, for hydroelectric dam construction. This is how the town of Concrete, on the west side of the mountains, came to exist. Originally platted in 1890, the town had a variety of names in the early days, but after a post office was established the town’s name was changed to Baker (in honor of Mount Baker visible from the town and the adjacent Baker River). In 1905, the Washington Portland Cement Company built a plant in Baker and created a new settlement across the Baker River from Baker, named “Cement City.” After the Superior Portland Cement Company was built in Baker in 1908, the two towns decided to merge and the community settled on its current name of “Concrete.” The town officially incorporated in 1909.

Another town on the west side with interesting history is Rockport, located at the confluence of the Baker and Skagit Rivers. Rockport was originally homesteaded in 1885 and later named by the Great Northern Railroad in 1902 for the numerous large rocks on the Skagit River. Freight and passenger trains (mixed) hauled people, lumber, shingles, cattle and equipment into Rockport three times a day from Burlington in the early 1900s. Heavy mining equipment came to Rockport and was then hauled by wagon and sled to the mines. Seattle City Light built a gas-powered railroad called the Skagit River Railway into Newhalem, which began to run on a temporary basis in 1920 and was later expanded with an electrified extension to Diablo. Several large ferry boats [and sternwheelers] on the Skagit River

In 1930, the dam was the highest in the world at 389 feet.DIABLO DAM


Creative InspirationThe scenic beauty and tranquil setting of the North Cascades have long attracted artists, authors, poets, photographers, and other creative sorts. In the 1950s, well-known poets and writers came to the North Cascades seeking the mountains as their muse. Famous author Jack Kerouac and other members of the Beat Generation spent summers caretaking fire towers on Desolation Peak and Sourdough and Crater Mountains. Their time at the fire towers brought solitude and time to write and reflect. Today, the National Park Service sponsors an Artist in Residence program at North Cascades National Park, carrying on the tradition of fostering creative inspiration in the high peaks.

Establishment of North Cascades National ParkOn October 2, 1968 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill to establish North Cascades National Park. The North Cascades National Park Complex contains three park units which are all managed as one: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. The enabling legislation for the park cited the following purposes for its establishment:

Construction of the North Cascades HighwayThe North Cascades Highway was completed in 1972, the first modern road to cross the North Cascades. The highway crosses two passes: Rainy Pass at 4,860 feet and Washington Pass at 5,483 feet.

The highway project has a long history that started with state funding appropriated in 1895 to explore a possible route through the mountains. After surveying possible routes in the Upper Skagit Valley, the Cascade Pass route was selected, and in 1897 a road up the Cascade River was roughed out as far as Gilbert Landre’s cabin. Although the wagon road never went any farther, it was shown on maps as State Highway #1 or the Cascade Wagon Road.

It was several decades later when the state appropriated funds to build a highway from Diablo to Thunder Arm in 1958

Past and PresentDESOLATION LOOKOUT

“…to preserve for the benefit, use, and inspiration of present and future generations certain majestic mountain scenery, snowfields, glaciers, alpine meadows, and other

unique natural features in the North Cascade Mountains of the State of Washington…”

“…to provide for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment… [and] for the conservation of the scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to

public enjoyment of such lands and waters…”

Crossed by the North Cascades HighwayRAINY PASS


and to improve access roads on both sides of the mountains. Construction began in 1959. Near the time North Cascades National Park was established, a study envisioned a new road as a scenic highway across the pass. By September 1968, a rough pioneer road was completed and hundreds of four-wheel-drive vehicles formed a caravan to make the first crossing and celebrate at the summit of Rainy Pass. On September 2, 1972, the North Cascades Highway officially opened.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesMuch of the land along either side of SR 20 in the North Cascades is now federally protected and managed by either the National Park Service (as part of the North Cascades National Park Complex) or the US Forest Service (as part of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest). Descending from the high mountains on the west side, the byway approaches several small, historic towns, including Newhalem, Marblemount, Rockport, and Concrete. All of these towns are popular stops for North Cascades visitors. Newhalem is home to North Cascades National Park Complex offices and attracts visitors interested in touring the historic town, Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake. Nearby Colonial Creek campground and access to backcountry hiking and climbing are also significant attractions. Further down valley, the quiet towns of Hamilton and Lyman along the Skagit River serve as bedroom communities for surrounding larger cities, as well as home to many retirees. Both towns have interesting history and main streets to explore. The population levels of these towns as of the 2010 census were: Newhalem 300 (approximate), Marblemount 203, Rockport 109, Concrete 705, Hamilton 301, and Lyman 438.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the North Cascades region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1(A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK COMPLEXNational park ranger directs visitor to trail route.



The “Cascades”While the origin of the name of the Cascades Mountains is not clearly documented, some believe that the many beautiful, terracing waterfalls descending across jagged rocks throughout the Cascades may have influenced the name. The North Cascades are well known for abundant waterfalls that lace the mountains. Some of the best known are Gorge Falls between Newhalem and Diablo along SR 20 and Rainbow Falls in the Stehekin Valley.

When the Lewis and Clark Expedition journeyed through the Columbia River Gorge, a natural low water passage through the Cascades, in 1805-1806, William Clark made detailed maps of surrounding terrain. On either side of the Columbia River, Clark labeled locations of waterfalls as “cascades” but in their journals, Lewis and Clark called the Cascade Range the Western Mountains.

The many settlers that came out west on the Oregon Trail faced one of their last obstacles at the Cascades Rapids in the Columbia River Gorge (which are now submerged beneath the Bonneville Dam). Before long, people began to call the white-capped mountains above the rapids the “mountains by the cascades” and later more simply “the Cascades.” The earliest attested use of the formal name “Cascade Range” is in the writings of botanist David Douglas in the 1820s.

REGION 8

As the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway descends from the

North Cascades, it enters the broad, open Skagit Valley,

the lower basin of the Skagit River and a vast agricultural

land adjacent to Puget Sound.

Skagit Valley and Fidalgo Island

SKAGIT VALLEY

GeographyAs SR 20 extends from the western slope of the North Cascades following the Skagit River into the lower Skagit Valley and coastal environment, the topography changes dramatically. The Skagit River makes its way to Puget Sound via an expansive delta, also known as “Skagit Flats.” The broad, flat terrain and rich soils of this area have contributed to making this area one of the largest and most diverse agricultural centers west of the Cascades.

Extending from the small town of Lyman through the larger towns and cities of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Mount Vernon,

and Anacortes, this segment of the byway crosses the Swinomish Channel to Fidalgo Island and Anacortes and ends at Rosario Strait and Deception Pass. Along the way the quintessential coastal town of La Conner, located a few miles south of SR 20, makes for a great side trip. Camano Island, accessible via SR 532 (Stanwood) off of Interstate 5 is another great sidetrip of this region. Anacortes is the only incorporated community on Fidalgo Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel. Highway bridges link Anacortes to the mainland and to Whidbey Island to the south.

Colorful patchworks of spring bulbs draw thousands of visitors


This region provides a wide variety of venues where visitors can learn about agriculture, natural and cultural history, as well as the marine environment, and there are also extensive recreation opportunities.

Native American LifeThe Coastal/Northern Straits Salish peoples have lived throughout the area since time immemorial. Before Euro-American settlement, these tribal groups largely included extended families living in villages in cedar plank houses and active communities that socialized and traded beyond the region. The rhythm of Salish life aligned with the seasonal round of food gathered from spring through fall followed by communal living in villages during the winter months. Villagers thrived off the bounty of Puget Sound, fishing for salmon and other fish, collecting clams and mussels, and harvesting shellfish from the muddy tideflats. They also gathered plants and used fire to cultivate the thick growth of bracken fern and camas on natural prairies throughout the area. In summer, gathering of berries became a focus, including red huckleberry, salmonberry, blackberries, and even cranberries among others. They also hunted mammals such as deer, elk, bear, and waterfowl for food, fur, hides, and feathers. But the most important food was the salmon, which was both plentiful and nutritious.

When a trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company, John Work, came through the area in 1824, he recorded encounters with

several “Scaddchet” villages as he crossed Skagit Bay and proceeded up the Swinomish Channel. The Skagit Tribe formed as a branch of the Lushootseed linguistic group of Coast Salish with the Skagit Valley as their ancestral homelands. The tribe’s identity eventually split into two divisions, known as the Lower Skagit and Upper Skagit. The Upper Skagit, who ranged from near today’s Mount Vernon east to the Cascade Mountains, were further subdivided into ten to eleven small bands that lived in close proximity to the river. Those living nearest to present-day Mount Vernon were called the Nookachamps (Nook-wa-cha-mish in the native language), and a creek east of the city still bears that name.

Samish bands occupied three villages just north of Fidalgo Island -- two on Guemes Island and one on Samish Island. Villages each consisted of several communal longhouses made of cedar, as were the canoes used to travel between the islands and to and from the mainland.

In the late 1700s with the arrival of non-native explorers to the region, the first wave of diseases and plagues swept through Puget Sound, significantly affecting native populations. Some tribal groups lost 80 percent of their population, falling from several thousand to a few hundred people. Survivors abandoned smaller villages and gathered together in larger ones. More changes came with the global fur trade centered in the late 1700s. At first, other native traders brought new European goods such as cloth, blankets, and muskets in exchange for beaver and other pelts. However, by about 1820 the first fur traders and trappers from outside the region were crossing the Cascades and settling in local communities. Now the beaver pelts flowed toward the newly established forts of the Hudson’s Bay Company -- Nisqually, Victoria, and Langley, diminishing the tribal trade network.

After signing the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855, many of these tribal groups moved to the Swinomish Reservation located at the southeastern end of Fidalgo Island. Both the Upper and Lower Skagits signed the treaty, which had negative impacts on their cultures. The Lower Skagits were consolidated with other Coast

ROSARIO STRAITHome to captivating sunsets

FIDALGO ISLANDNamed after Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo


Salish tribes and bands into the Swinomish Tribe, and were relocated to the Swinomish Reservation on Fidalgo Island in 1873. The Upper Skagit population was scattered and most were taken to the Tulalip and Lummi reservations, but many drifted back to their traditional lands along the Skagit.

Some tribal groups chose not to sign the treaty or could not make the signing due to severe weather. Those who did not sign either continued to live in their villages until being displaced by settlers or eventually moved to other reservations. There was a period of unrest after the 1855 Treaty, which some have called the “1855 War” that involved intermittent conflicts between tribal groups and Euro-American settlers. Historians have surmised that the unrest came about after several tribal leaders felt tricked into signing the treaty or did not fully understand its implications. With the influx of Euro-American settlers and US military troops, tribal groups were outnumbered. Some native people intermarried with Euro-Americans and assimilated into their cultures.

In spite of these challenges, Coastal/Northern Straits Salish peoples still maintain active communities throughout the area today. Tribes have worked hard to maintain their individual tribal identities. In 1974 one of the negative impacts of the Point Elliott Treaty was addressed when the federal government granted the Upper Skagits full tribal status. The tribe established a reservation on an 84-acre parcel of land east of Sedro-Woolley, and also bought a 15-acre site adjacent to Interstate 5 north of Mount Vernon and opened the Skagit Valley Casino there in the 1990s and a 103-room hotel and conference center in 2001. All tribes of the region continue to work to preserve their culture and knowledge of traditional ways within younger generations through education and special events. There are currently eight tribal communities in Skagit County, among them the Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Siuattle, and Samish.

From Exploration to Settlementand Community GrowthThe Pacific Coast became the focus of many explorations in the 1700s. When Spaniard Juan Francisco de Eliza charted Rosario Strait in 1791, he named it Canal de Fidalgo and made note of the thick forests along the coastline. British Captain George Vancouver explored Rosario Strait in 1792 and named Deception Pass. Later in 1841, the Wilkes Expedition determined that the area north of the pass was an island, and Charles Wilkes called it Perry’s Island (present-day Fidalgo Island).

By the mid-1800s, Euro-American settlers made their way to the Skagit Valley and established permanent settlements. Englishman William (Blanket Bill) Jarman came in 1852 with his Coast Salish wife, Alice, settling for a short time near present-day Edison. The earliest Euro-American settlement was located on the

long, narrow peninsula of Fidalgo Island, later known as March’s Point. Observing the native peoples’ use of the prairies to cultivate camas and bracken fern, early settlers planted crops such as potatoes. Agricultural activities and settlement began to increase more intensively with diking of the marshy flats near present day LaConner in 1863.

In the 1860s and 1870s, new settlements and trading posts emerged, including LaConner, which was originally a trading post across from the Swinomish Reservation. John Conner and his wife Louisa managed the trading post, which he named in her honor and later became one of the leading towns in the area. In 1879, Amos Bowman, who dreamed of a Northern Pacific terminus on Fidalgo Island, built a small store and post office in a place he named for his wife, Anacortes. The town incorporated in 1891.

SALISH CANOESUsed to travel across Rosario Strait


Mining camps upvalley on the Skagit River and Ruby Creek were established in 1879. Although the initial hope was for gold mining prosperity, which didn’t occur, the mining camps turned into new settlements when limestone, coal, iron, and talc were found in the Cascade foothills: Lyman, Hamilton, Birdsview, Baker (later Concrete) and Marblemount among others became part of a mining district.

In the meantime, massive logjams blocked the Skagit River, preventing river traffic and commerce. By the summer of 1879 the logjams had been cleared, enabling navigation through and above Mount Vernon. With the arrival of sternwheelers, Mount Vernon and other upriver towns started to develop more rapidly. Mount Vernon eventually became the county seat in 1884, after Skagit County was separated from Whatcom County in 1883. The community’s economy and growth were supported by logging and mining to the east and farming in the fertile bottomlands of the Skagit Valley.

The timber industry and logging also contributed to the growth of other area communities, and the first shingle mill opened near present day Sedro-Woolley. Sedro-Woolley was incorporated in 1898 after an interesting history of two separate communities, Sedro and Woolley that eventually merged into one. Mortimer Cook opened the shingle mill and was Sedro’s first postmaster, originally naming the town “Cedra,” the Spanish word for cedar. The name

became distorted into Sedro, which stuck. In 1890, Phillip A. Woolley purchased 84 acres north of Sedro and founded the town of Woolley. As the area grew, roads and railroads were built to connect communities. Three railroads served the two towns and were key to development of the area, the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, and the Fairhaven and Southern. Both towns struggled in the late 1800s and residents decided that a merger would be beneficial. After a spirited debate about which town would give up its name, “Sedro-Woolley” became the official name of the newly merged town. Many descendants of the founding families still live in Sedro-Woolley, and citizens are deeply committed to their history through the preservation of historic buildings in the community.

Nearby Burlington began as a logging camp in 1882 and was officially incorporated in 1902. Centrally located between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, Burlington quickly became a crossroads and hub in the Skagit Valley served by the Great Northern railway system. In the early 1900s the town, like others in the region, was sustained by the agriculture (including dairy) and timber industries. In the 1960s, town leaders set the stage for Burlington’s growth as a place for shopping and business activity. With the town’s location on either side of Interstate 5, business growth was inevitable and the town became a commercial destination for the region. In the late 1980s, The Cascade Mall opened, followed by outlet stores and other large commercial stores.

Camano Island was charted in 1841 by the Wilkes expedition as “McDonough’s Island” in honor of Master Commandant Thomas McDonough, captain of the USS Saratoga during the War of 1812. In 1847, Captain Kellett of the British Navy, in his effort to restore Spanish names to the area, renamed it Camano Island in honor of Spanish explorer Lieutenant Don Jacinto Camano. The first settlers came to Camano Island in 1855, filing timber claims. The island was densely forested with stands of tall, straight Douglas-fir perfect for masts and spars. There were no towns on Camano Island, but steamboats serviced the small communities of Camano City and Mabana. A horse-drawn ferry operated between the island and Stanwood until a bridge was built in 1909. In the 1920s, tourism became popular and several auto-camps were established, followed by more elaborate resorts that rented cabins, boats, and fishing gear. In 1949, Washington State Parks and Recreation developed 134-acres of land on the east side of Camano Island, overlooking Saratoga Passage, for use as a state park.

Aerial showing Cascade Mall in present dayCITY OF BURLINGTON


Fish canneries opened in Anacortes in the late 1890s, which would become an economic driver into the 1900s for that community. Anacortes grew with an economy based on lumber (logging and milling), fishing and fish processing, and farming. These industries thrived for many years before facing decline in the mid-twentieth century. Port development helped to maintain the economy and several oil companies selected Anacortes for refineries in the 1950s. Refining, tourism, residential and retirement housing, and commercial retail have come to dominate the local economy. Given the importance of natural resources for recreation, tourism, and wildlife habitat, Anacortes also has made a long-term commitment to preserving large land areas in the vicinity of the community.

Agricultural Focus and Development of the Bulb IndustryAgriculture has continued to be the main industry for the region from the late 1800s to the present day. A variety of crops were tried over time. Oats and peas were earlier favorites, but eventually seed growing became a focus. Before forming the Puget Sound Seed Garden in 1883, A. G. Tillinghast grew cabbage seed and when other farmers joined him, seeds for beets, flax, spinach, mustard and other crops were produced. In the 1930s, the Charles H. Lilly Company developed seed production further. At one point Skagit County produced 95 percent of the cabbage seeds in the United States.

Tulip bulb production was an extension of the seed production industry. Mary Brown Stewart started growing tulips in 1906 with bulbs from Holland, but at first tulips were “only a small part of the crop and the whole operation was of modest size.” But over time, the industry grew and by 1997, 700 acres were used for bulb farming in the Skagit Valley. In addition to tulips, daffodils and irises also became popular in bulb production.

In addition to seed and bulb production, the Skagit Valley also established packing companies (hay and pea crops) and became known as a hub for the dairy industry with as many as 900

dairies in the county at the turn of the century, many as small family operations. Skagit Valley continued to be a rural area well into the twentieth century, with pockets of light industry in Mount Vernon, Burlington, and other towns.

Transportation improvements continued to be a focus as more and more agricultural operations and industries required reliable roads to get products to distributors. The Pacific Highway built by the Federal Government in 1915 was a “hard-surfaced” travelway between Mexico and Canada and later became US Highway 99 in 1926. Then in the 1960s Interstate-5 was constructed to replace US 99, in some places over the top of US 99, but in other places paralleling the old highway. The new freeway brought more people to the valley, including new residents, as well as tourists and visitors. Increases in urban development have put pressure on the valley’s agricultural industry. However, agriculture is still the main economic driver of the region.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesIn 2010 Skagit County was one of the fastest growing counties in the state with a population of over 118,000. Mount Vernon, the county seat, had a population of 31,743 at the time of the 2010 census. Sedro-Woolley’s population in 2010 was 10,540. Burlington has grown at a rapid rate in just a few years and had a population of 8,388 in 2010, which was nearly double its 1990 population. Anacortes had a population of 15,778 in 2010, and LaConner, maintaining its small town charm and character, had 891 people at the time of the 2010 census.

Sedro-Woolley is known as a gateway to the North Cascades and continues to benefit from tourism and its location on SR 20, along the banks of the Skagit River. Mount Vernon and Burlington continue to grow and function as the governmental and commercial hubs of the region. All three of these cities continue to grow at a rapid pace.

Original building is now a restaurant.TILLINGHAST SEED CO.A. G. TILLINGHAST

Pioneer in seed production


Camano Island remains a farming and residential community, well-known for its production of fruits and berries. The island had a population of 15,661 as of the 2010 census. Camano Island State Park is a popular destination for recreation.

Surrounded by parks, protected forests, and the waters of Puget Sound, Anacortes has increasingly appealed to retirees. Of the early industries, the lumber mills have gone and the canneries are closed, but fishing and fish processing remains alive and well at the town’s three large seafood processing plants, and fishing vessels continue to make the annual trek to the cold waters of the north Pacific. Increases in tourism have also benefitted Anacortes. As a “Gateway to the San Juan Islands” hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through Anacortes on their way to the ferry terminal. The community continues to promote arts and crafts and honor its history through a variety of commemorative projects and preservation efforts.

Overall, the agricultural industry continues to be the main economic driver for Skagit Valley, and the region is a major producer of cabbage, table beet, and spinach seed for the world. Over 90 different crops are grown in the county including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pickling cucumbers, Jonagold apples, and vegetable seeds. More tulip, iris, and daffodil bulbs are produced here than in any other county in the US. About half of the world’s beet and Brussels sprout seed

are grown in the valley. Fifty percent of the US supply of parsley, cabbage, and parsnip seed and 90 to 100 percent of the US supply of Chinese kale, Chinese cabbage, Chinese mustard, and Brussels sprout seed are also grown in Skagit County. A new development has been in the growth of nurseries, greenhouses, and organic farming, and although peas have declined dramatically, the potato is enjoying status as the number one crop in the county (with 95 percent of the red potato crop of Washington being grown in Skagit Valley).

The agricultural industry has diversified and merged with tourism, providing extensive opportunities for visitors such as tours of the tulip fields, farm stands, u-pick farms, and various festivals and events. In 2010, the Governor at the time, Christine Gregoire, signed a bill establishing an Agricultural Scenic Corridor from Starbird Road through Bow Hill Road on Interstate 5 in recognition of the agricultural and tourism values of the area. In addition to these industries, Skagit Valley provides habitat for thousands of swans, snow geese, dabbling ducks, and other species and has become a major destination for wildlife watching.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the Skagit Valley and Fidalgo Island region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

IRRIGATION WHEELOver 90 different crops are grown in Skagit County


GeographyWhidbey Island is the largest island in Puget Sound, approximately 45 miles long, 10 miles across at its widest point and 1-1/2 miles across at its narrowest. The island has a total area of 235 square miles and boasts five state parks, eight large lakes and 200 miles of shoreline.

Whidbey Island is the second largest island in the continental United States, the largest being Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Narrow necks of land at Penn Cove and Holmes Harbor on Saratoga Passage divide the island into three distinct areas referred to as North, Central, and South

REGION 9

The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, the ninth and final region of

the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, is a state designated

scenic byway. Extending across the entire length of Whidbey

Island from Deception Pass at the north end of the island to

the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal in Clinton, at the south end, this

region provides access to extraordinary scenic, historical, and

recreational experiences. The name “Whidbey Scenic Isle Way”

came about in 2005, with the completion of the scenic byway

corridor management plan for the island.

Whidbey IslandScenic Isle Way

DECEPTION PASSFirst explored by George Vancouver in 1792.


Whidbey. State Route 20 connects Whidbey Island to the mainland west of Anacortes via the Deception Pass and Canoe Pass bridges and bisects Deception Pass State Park, a 4,134-acre marine and camping park encompassing the northern tip of Whidbey Island. The landscapes on Whidbey are a combination of broad, open prairies and farmlands, mixed with upland forests. Wet meadows and wetlands are found throughout the lowlands, along with a variety of marine shores and beaches, with many miles of shorelines open to the public.

Native American LifeWhidbey Island has been home to various Coast Salish peoples for thousands of years. Living in villages of large communal longhouses and subsisting on fish, shellfish, and wild game as well as roots and berries, native islanders were ancestors of today’s Samish, Skagit, and Swinomish Tribes. The Salish name for Whidbey Island was Tscha-kole-chy.

With the exception of periodic wars with other tribes, native life was relatively quiet for many centuries. In the late 1700s and early 1800s the Native American population on the island was decimated by disease transmitted through contact with Euro-American explorers. In some areas diphtheria, smallpox, and measles killed 90 percent of the native people.

By the time white settlers arrived, some local tribes had populations of only a few hundred and were so depleted they could not effectively resist the intruders. Following the Point Elliott

Treaty in 1855, many of the Lower Skagit people were placed on the Tulalip reservation, though a few continued to live in Coupeville and other areas of the island and some intermarried with Euro-American settlers.

Early Exploration/How Whidbey Got Its NameWhidbey Island was named on June 10, 1792, by British Captain George Vancouver for Joseph Whidbey, Master of the HMS Discovery. Whidbey had proven it was an island by discovering Deception Pass and was the first documented non-native man to set foot on the island, landing at Penn Cove near what was to become Coupeville.

Euro-American SettlementThe first settler on Whidbey Island was Thomas W. Glasgow, a farmer, who filed a land claim on what was to become Ebey’s Prairie in 1848. After the US Congress passed the Oregon Donation Land Act in 1850, granting a “donation” of free land (320 acres to each single man and 640 acres to each married couple), Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey (1818-1857) was the first man to file a claim, for 640 acres, in Central Whidbey Island. The land, on the west shore immediately south of Penn Cove, has been memorialized in history as Ebey’s Landing and Ebey’s Prairie. Several other settlers, mostly family and friends, filed for claims in the area shortly thereafter.

On August 11, 1857, Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was shot and beheaded at his Whidbey Island home

by a band of Haida Indians who believed he was a white-man’s “Tyee” or chief. The killing was to avenge the death of a Tyee and 27 Indians killed at Port Gamble in November 1856 during a battle with the USS Massachusetts. These conflicts were an unfortunate result of rising tensions between Euro-American settlers and tribes of the region, which escalated after the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855.

Settlers became farmers and converted the rich black loam of the prairies into farms, planting wheat, oats, and potatoes, and raising some livestock, including sheep. The settlers also engaged in logging. Oak trees were sold for ship decks and planking, and the tall, straight Douglas-fir for masts and spars. Coveland, a small settlement at the head of Penn Cove, served as the Island County seat from 1853-1881 and provided the island’s first trading post. In 1888, a group of land developers platted Coveland and changed the name to San de Fuca, chosen because of its proximity to the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

COLONEL ISAAC NEFF EBEY MONUMENTFirst to file land claim on Whidbey Island


A brief summary of the settlement history of Whidbey Islands’ communities is provided below.

OAK HARBOR—Located on the east shore of North Whidbey Island, about 10 miles north of Coupeville, the city was named by Dr. Richard H. Landsdale, an early settler on Penn Cove, for the many large oak trees (including the native Garry oak) in the vicinity, an unusual feature in this part of the state. Oak Harbor was founded by three veterans of the California Gold Rush: Zachariah Martin Toftezen, Charles W. Sumner and Ulrich Freund, who came from Olympia by Indian canoe, looking for land. In the 1850s, Irish immigrants began to settle in the Oak Harbor area, followed by Dutch immigrants in the 1890s. The town of Oak Harbor was officially incorporated on May 14, 1915. In July 1920, the “Oak Harbor Fire” destroyed much of the town, and the economy struggled through the Great Depression. In 1941, the US Navy arrived to build an air base, and the once quiet farming community of some 650 residents now became a booming community as thousands of construction workers and US Naval personnel arrived.

COUPEVILLE—Located on the south shore of Penn Cove, Coupeville is one of Washington’s oldest towns, founded by Captain Thomas Coupe, who arrived in Puget Sound in 1852 and filed a 320-acre donation land claim on the site. Captain Coupe is the only man known to have sailed a square-rigged sailing ship through treacherous Deception Pass. After its establishment in the early 1850s, several sea captains retired in Coupeville, filing donation land claims there. The town prospered, being advantageously situated in Central Whidbey Island across from burgeoning Port Townsend, and replaced Coveland as the county seat in 1881. The activation of Fort Casey in 1901 spurred efforts for Coupeville incorporation, which finally occurred in 1910. Coupeville shares a common history with nearby Ebey’s Landing and Ebey’s Prairie, and there has been a long-standing commitment to historic preservation in the community. Many of Coupeville’s older structures have survived to this day. Local support for the arts and tourism at that time gave impetus to formation

of a National Historic Preservation District and the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, the first of its kind recognized in the US. Continued support of historic preservation and its related tourism benefits has preserved four blockhouses, historic buildings and homes, and most significantly, the prairie itself. Gift shops, restaurants, businesses, and boutiques in heritage buildings now line Coupeville’s Front Street and the Island County Historical Museum on Main Street interprets Whidbey Island’s past.

FORT EBEY AND FORT CASEY—Fort Ebey, located immediately west of Coupeville, on Pigeon Point, was built by the Harbor Defense Command during World War II (1941-1945) to help protect military bases around Puget Sound against attacks by the Japanese Imperial Navy. The property was acquired by Washington state in 1968 and became Fort Ebey State Park, a 645-acre campground with three miles of saltwater shoreline, in 1981. Fort Casey, located three miles south of Coupeville, on Admiralty

OAK HARBOR NAVAL BASE

Photo taken in the early 1940sCOUPEVILLE AERIAL

Solidiers at Battery Kingsbury, firing Gun No. 2FORT CASEY

Employs more than 10,000 workers


Head, was built by the US Army at the turn of the twentieth century. The fortification was one of three major Coast Artillery forts built to protect Puget Sound from invasion by sea. Along with Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, and Fort Worden at Point Wilson, the three forts formed a “Triangle of Fire” that would destroy any enemy vessel attempting to enter Admiralty Inlet. Fort Casey is also home to the beautiful Admiralty Head Lighthouse, built in 1903.

The Department of Defense deactivated Fort Casey in 1953 and transferred the property to General Services Administration for disposal. In 1955, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired 100 acres of Fort Casey’s battery area for use as a state park and historical monument. Seattle Pacific University purchased 87 acres, which included most of the fort’s administrative buildings and housing, to create the Camp Casey Conference Center. The present Fort Casey State Park also includes the Keystone Spit area.

EBEY’S LANDING—Ebey’s Prairie, originally settled by Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was always an important historical and agricultural area on the island. In 1973, the National Park Service listed Central Whidbey Island (also known as Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve) on the National Register as a Historic District. In 1980, Fort Ebey and Fort Casey State Parks, including the Admiralty Head Lighthouse, were incorporated into the listings. The Central Whidbey Island Historic District stretches roughly six miles on either side of Coupeville and encompasses approximately 25 square miles, is one of the largest historic districts in the country, and has more than 100 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

GREENBANK/GREENBANK FARM—Surrounded by the rural residential community of Greenbank, the farm is a major landmark on Whidbey Island that was once a favorite gathering place for Coast Salish tribes. The Calvin Philips family owned and operated a family farm at Greenbank in the early 1900s, harvesting trees and maintaining a dairy herd. The main barn at the farm dates from 1904 and the other buildings replicate farm buildings of the early 1900s. In the 1940s the property, which then consisted of 522 acres of fields and woodlands, was sold to John Molz, who introduced loganberries and built the largest loganberry farm in the United States by 1970. Chateau Ste. Michelle acquired the property in the early 1970s in connection with the purchase of the wine company. Then

in 1995 the company shocked the local community with plans to sell the property for residential lot development. Islanders worked with a consortium consisting of Island County, the Nature Conservancy, and the Port of Coupeville to purchase the 522-acre property, the Port acquiring the 151-acre operating farm and the other parties acquiring the adjacent woodlands. In 2008, the Greenbank Farm Ag Training Center was established to train new farmers in sustainable agriculture. Participants in the seven-month program study organic crop production, business planning, and sustainable land stewardship as well as grow vegetables for sale. Greenbank Farm has become a unique partnership that brings farmers, artists, and craftspeople together in a cooperative market place that supports local farms, merchants, tourism and recreation, and a place for people to gather for special events.

FREELAND—Located at the head of Holmes Harbor in South Whidbey Island, 17 miles south of Coupeville, Freeland was originally platted in the 1800s by real estate promoters who called it St. Louis, but the town of St. Louis was never built.

The choice for farming of early settlersEBEY’S PRAIRIE

GREENBANK FARMA unique partnership and cooperative marketplace


At another brief period, the town was called Newell, the name of the nearest post office. Eventually the town was named for the Free Land Association, a group of socialists from South Dakota who intended to make land available to its members practically free of cost, paid for through cooperative enterprises, seeking to create a utopian socialist society. In 1899, George Washington Daniels, Henry L. Stevens and Henry A. White formed the Free Land Association. They platted a town made up of five-acre lots in 1900. Although they intended that all the members of Freeland would work for the common good, the settlement failed to coalesce as a socialist community, and the Free Land Association went bankrupt in 1920. After that Freeland continued to take shape as a small community in South Whidbey and remains so today.

LANGLEY—A small town on Saratoga Passage, Langley is located approximately ten miles east of Freeland on South Whidbey Island. The town was platted by Jacob Anthes in 1890 and named for Judge James Weston Langley, a partner in the Langley Land and Improvement Company. A post office was established in 1891 with Anthes as postmaster. Langley called itself “The Hub of the Island” and incorporated in 1913. The town supplied surrounding farmers and residents with mail and dry goods, and was the port

for the steamer Camano, which sailed to Everett and Seattle. In the 1900s, South Whidbey Island became a popular summer destination and many residents took in renters for the summer or sold their homes for summer use. Logging and agriculture, including fruits and berries, were South Whidbey Island’s principal industries. A large commercial cannery built at Langley supplied the Puget Sound region with canned fruits and vegetables. The Island County Fair, established in 1924, is also known as the Whidbey Island Fair and is held in Langley every summer. The popularity of Langley as a tourist destination continued to grow throughout the 1900s and remains as such today.

CLINTON—Another small town, Clinton is located on a high bluff overlooking Saratoga Passage, approximately six miles south of Langley. The

town was named for Clinton County, Michigan, by Edward C. Hinman, a Civil War veteran, who came from there in 1883, filing a timber claim. Clinton originally had a hotel and a dock that supplied steamships with wood and water.

The original landing and nearby post office was called Phinney, after John G. Phinney, an early settler. In 1885, the post office was moved to the Clinton Union Store and, in 1892, renamed the Clinton Post Office. Edward Hinman served as postmaster from 1885 to 1896 and his brother, Henry, from 1898 to 1903. Like other small communities in the area, Clinton’s economy depended primarily on logging, fishing, and farming. In the 1900s, the community became a stop for tourists, campers, and summer dwellers heading up island, which intensified with the start of car ferry service

Located at the head of Holmes HarborFREELAND

A principal industry of the areaLOGGING IN LANGLEY


in 1919. Because of the easy ferry commute between Clinton and Mukilteo, South Whidbey Island has become a bedroom community for Mukilteo and Everett, where the Boeing aircraft assembly plant is located, as well as for other areas of the Puget Sound Metropolitan Region.

Transportation and Ferry ServicesIn the early years, sailing ships and small steamers served Whidbey Island intermittently. As the population and industries grew on the island, more frequent service was needed. In 1906, Coupeville resident Captain Howard B. Lovejoy purchased the sternwheeler, Fairhaven, and began a scheduled run between Penn Cove and Seattle with stops at points on South Whidbey Island. In 1911, Lovejoy founded the Island Transportation Company, adding the steamers Atlanta, Clatawa, Calista, and Camano, and the community of Port Townsend to the scheduled service. Lovejoy’s company merged with the Sound Ferry Line, becoming the Whidbey Island Transportation Company.

Ferries that could carry cars and passengers came into service in 1919, with the growing popularity of automobile touring. The first ferry in Island County specifically designed to carry automobiles was the Whidbey I, operated by the Central Ferry Company between Clinton and Mukilteo. Another car ferry, Central I, was added, running between Clinton and Everett. The Whidbey Island Transportation Company soon entered into direct competition, running car ferries between Langley, Clinton, and Everett. In 1927, the Puget Sound Navigation Company, doing

business as the Black Ball Line, acquired all the minor steamship/ferry companies servicing Island County and started its own routes and schedules. The Black Ball Line continued to operate ferry service until 1951, when it was purchased by Washington State Ferries. The island is currently served by two Washington State Ferry routes: Mukilteo-Clinton and Keystone-Port Townsend.

During the Great Depression, Whidbey Island benefitted from government funds for building projects such as bridges and roads. Whidbey Island took advantage of federal funds under the National Recovery Act (NRA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) to further road building and repairs, to extend the water system and to build the first sewage treatment plant. However, the largest Whidbey Island project was construction of the Deception Pass Bridge and Canoe Bridge. The bridges were financed with funds from the federal Public Works Administration and the Washington Emergency Relief Administration, along with county funds, and were completed in 1935. The surrounding Deception Pass State Park was improved with Civilian Conservation Corps labor. The bridges connected Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands and provided islanders more direct access to the mainland. An earlier bridge had been built to link Camano Island to Stanwood. Auto travel became popular and the creation of Deception Pass State Park in the 1930s soon made it a national tourist destination. The Deception Pass Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. NAVAL AIR STATION AT OAK HARBOR

Established in 1941


Continued Growth and TourismWith the development of the Naval Air Station, more people came to the island and significant growth in the 1950s and 1960s brought changes to the rural lifestyle of Whidbey Islanders. Increasingly more dependent on the Naval Air Station at Oak Harbor for jobs, residents also saw plans by large development corporations for multi-family structures and housing additions. Between 1953 and 1979 Coupeville annexed 11 times, bringing the town size to nearly 700 acres. A bridge from Mukilteo to Clinton was being planned in the 1960s but the Boeing recession of the late 1960s and early 1970s stopped these plans and gave islanders a chance to reconsider their future. The county adopted a variety of growth management policies and islanders continue to work hard to preserve the rural quality of life and scenic values of the island, while also encouraging tourism. The growth of bed and breakfast lodging establishments, gift shops, and arts and culture blends well with Whidbey’s strong heritage focus and have added to the island economy in recent decades.

Modern Characteristics and CommunitiesWhidbey Island continues to be scenic and rural, and cherished by residents and visitors alike. Important economic activities include farming, fishing, tourism, real estate, and construction. Buying property and building vacation homes on the islands has become exceedingly popular. Between 2000 and 2010, the county’s population increased by about 9.7 percent from 71,558 to 78,506, a trend in growth that is predicted to continue. Many retired and self-employed people move here, attracted by the mild weather, beautiful scenery, recreational opportunities, rural settings, and a lower cost-of-living.

In North Whidbey Island, the US Navy’s presence continues to drive the local economy, as well as that of the rest of the island and nearby communities, such as Anacortes. The naval base employs more than 10,000 workers, including military personnel, as well as civilian and contract employees. Military personnel are important customers to the many shops, business, restaurants, and services available in Oak Harbor and throughout the area. Oak Harbor’s population at the time of the 2010 census was 22,075.

Coupeville had a population of 1,831 and 2,045 people lived in the vicinity of Freeland in 2010. Langley, the only incorporated town in South Whidbey had a population of 1,035 in 2010, and Clinton counted 928 people. Clinton continues to be an important gateway for travelers to Whidbey Island. Several million motorists travel through Clinton each year on their way to and from the ferry terminal. Other population is scattered across the island, with people living in various small scale residential developments or on larger estates.

Located less than an hour’s drive from the major population centers of Seattle and Everett, the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way is a unique island experience. This portion of the overall Cascade Loop Scenic Highway offers grand views of Puget Sound with backdrops of the snow-capped peaks of the Olympics and Cascades. After a short drive across the spectacular Deception Pass Bridge or the 35-minute ferry ride from either Mukilteo or Port Townsend, visitors can enjoy an exceptional array of experiences on the island—art studios and galleries, farms and food artisans, wineries, microbreweries, historic landmarks and preserves, and a variety of recreational opportunities such as beach walking, hiking and biking, kite flying, wildlife watching, and more.

For more information about the activities and destinations in the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way region of the Cascade Loop, refer to Chapter 1 (A Tour around the Cascade Loop) and Chapter 3 of this plan.

As of 2010, Coupeville had a population of 1,831.COUPEVILLE FERRY LANDING


Intrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique Experiences 3

STEHEKIN RIVERFeeds 50-mile Lake Chelan

What are Intrinsic Qualities?Intrinsic qualities are extraordinary, memory-building places and experiences that are unique to each particular scenic byway. Intrinsic qualities are the important attributes of a byway—the things that make it special. These are the features and places that attract people and also may become the focus of some combination of enhancement, preservation, and/or promotion in a corridor management plan.

Intrinsic qualities are not just the things to see and do along a byway, but rather the distinctive features that create an overall sense of a byway’s unique character, history, and culture. These are the qualities that "tell the story" of a byway. The National Scenic Byways Program defines intrinsic qualities as the “features that are considered representative, unique, irreplaceable, or distinctly characteristic of an area.”

The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) National Scenic Byways Program (America's Byways®) requires that a byway’s intrinsic qualities be identified, inventoried, and described in an “assessment of intrinsic qualities.” Accordingly, this chapter of the Cascade Loop Corridor Management Plan lists, maps, and categorizes the byway’s intrinsic qualities.

FHWA Policy 5.18.95 describes these categories on the following pages.

The six primary categories of intrinsic qualities recognized by the FHWA:

• Natural

• Archaeological

• Historic

• Cultural

• Recreational

• Scenic

Intrinsic Qualities–Special Places and Unique Experiences

C A S C A D E L O O P S C E N I C H I G H W A YIntrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique Experiences

patterns, and other examples of human activity. Historic features can be inventoried, mapped, and interpreted. They possess integrity of location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling, and association.

CULTURALA cultural quality includes the evidence and expressions of the customs or traditions of a distinct group of people. Cultural features include, but are not limited to, crafts, music, dance, rituals, festivals, speech, culinary offerings, vernacular architecture, and special events that are currently practiced. The cultural qualities of the byway may highlight one or more significant communities and/or ethnic traditions.

RECREATIONALA recreational quality involves outdoor recreational activities that may be directly associated with and dependent upon other qualities of the byway. Recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive experiences, including, but not limited to, wildlife watching, hiking, walking, biking,

NATURALA natural quality applies to those features of the visual environment that are in a relatively undisturbed state. These features predate the arrival of human population and may include geologic formations, fossils, landforms, water bodies, vegetation, and wildlife. There may be evidence of human activity, but the natural features reveal minimal disturbances.

ARCHAEOLOGICALAn archaeological quality involves characteristics of prehistoric or historic human life or activity that are visible and capable of being inventoried and interpreted. The byway’s archaeological aspects, as identified through artifacts, middens, structural remains, and traditional use areas, have cultural and scientific significance. Visitors have opportunities to learn about and appreciate prehistory and history through interpretation about these resources and areas. Interpretation is important, but preservation and protection of archaeological qualities is the highest priority. Byway visitors can help by avoiding any disturbance to these sensitive sites and other areas of cultural significance.

HISTORICA historic quality encompasses legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or human-made. These qualities are of such historic significance that they educate the viewer and inspire an appreciation for the past. Historic elements reflect the actions of people and may include buildings, settlement

MOUNT SHUKSAN9,131 in elevation at its peak in the North Cascades

RAINBOW FALLS312’ feet high, in the Stehekin Valley

C O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N Intrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique Experiences

climbing, camping, water sports, boating, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and much more. Activities related to agritourism, culinary tourism, voluntourism, and ecotourism also fit into the recreational category. Recreational experiences may be seasonal but the quality and importance of the experience as part of a seasonal activity must be well recognized.

SCENICA scenic quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and human-influenced or built elements of the visual environment. These are the characteristics of the landscape that are strikingly distinct and offer a pleasing and memorable experience. All elements of the landscape—natural landforms, water, vegetation, and even architectural features and development—contribute to the quality of the byway’s visual environment. For a scenic quality to exist, everything present must be in harmony and contribute to a positive visual experience. Eligibility for National Scenic Byway

and All-American Road DesignationOfficial designation as a National Scenic Byway requires that a byway possess intrinsic qualities within one or more of the six categories: scenic, natural, archaeological, historic, cultural, and recreational. An All-American Road, the highest level of National Scenic Byways in the United States, must possess intrinsic qualities within two or more categories.

As documented by this plan, the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway has an extensive list of intrinsic qualities that cover all six categories. In comparison to all byways across the nation, this is an exceptional characteristic and serves to emphasize the byway’s eligibility for designation as an All-American Road, the highest level of national designation. The Cascade Loop Association intends to apply for All-American Road designation at the next opportunity offered by FHWA.

ROSS LAKE CAMPSITESerene lakeside views are delightful


Intrinsic Qualities of the Cascade Loop Scenic HighwayThe extraordinary places and unique experiences of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway are listed and mapped on the following pages. It is important to note that this description focuses on the most special places that are highly sought as visitor destinations and known for their outstanding qualities. There are by far more places and destinations around the Cascade Loop than those highlighted on the following pages. Information can be found about many of these locations and other visitor opportunities at www.cascadeloop.com.

The chart at the end of this section lists each of the intrinsic qualities and correlates the relationship of these unique places and characteristics to the six categories of intrinsic qualities recognized by the FHWA (scenic, natural, archaeological, historic, cultural, and recreational).

LEAVENWORTH

VIEW FROM LIGHTNING CREEK TRAILSix mile hike from Ross Lake to Willow Lake Trail

Intrinsic Qualities—Special Places and Unique ExperiencesC O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N


10

21

5

1614

From the waters of the Puget Sound through fertile farm valleys, to the foothills of the Cascades, where vibrant cities and towns serve as gateways to the Cascade Loop.

28. Western Heritage Center in Monroe

29. Evergreen Speedway in Monroe

30. Reptile Zoo (just east of Monroe)

31. Tiny Church Wayside Chapel (Pause Rest and Worship stop open to all, located one mile west of Sultan)

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Snohomish Wine Festival,

Sorticulture—Everett Garden Arts Festival, Everett’s Colors of Freedom 4th of July Celebration, Kla Ha Ya Days in Snohomish, Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, various rodeos, and more


3. Unique cities and towns with walkable historic districts, museums, examples of Northwest and Coastal Salish Native American art and other arts, cultural, and recreation opportunities: Mukilteo and Everett (marine activities, wildlife/birds/whales and marine life watching); Snohomish (National Historic District, state/national historic registers, and “Antique Capital of the Northwest”); and Monroe (lake and river recreation with wildlife/bird watching, rafting, boating, fishing, etc.)

4. Mukilteo to Clinton Ferry/Ferry Terminal

5. Historic Mukilteo Lighthouse and Park and Mukilteo

6. Future of Flight Aviation Center, Boeing Tour, Museum of Flight Restoration Center, Historic Flight Education Center, and Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field/Mukilteo

7. Japanese Gulch and Big Gulch Trail systems in Mukilteo

8. Forest Park in Everett

9. Everett Performing Arts Center

10. Comcast Arena: Community Ice Rink, Concerts, Performances, Rodeo, Circus, and other events

11. Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett

12. Jetty Island Park in Everett

1 | Snohomish River Valley

13. North and South View Parks: Marine View Drive in Everett

14. Everett Aquasox Baseball

15. Port Gardner Bay/Everett Marina, Farmers Market, and Music at the Pier concert series

16. Schack Art Center in Everett

17. Spencer Island Park near Everett

18. Hibulb Cultural Center, Tulalip Tribes

19. Snohomish River and Valley (extensive historic and recreational opportunities such as hot air ballooning, scenic flights, and skydiving out of Harvey Field, at Snohomish Airport)


21. Blackman House Museum in Snohomish

22. Pilchuck Park in Snohomish

23. Flowing Lake Park in Snohomish

24. Evergreen State Fair/Fairgrounds in Monroe (events year-round)

25. Lake Tye Park in Monroe (water sports such as boating and wakeboarding and various special events year-round)

26. Skykomish River Centennial Park/Skykomish River and Valley (extensive recreation opportunities including river and water sports, rafting, boating, fishing, etc.) in Monroe

27. Alderleaf Wilderness College and Vaux’s Swifts (largest roost in America) in Monroe


1 524 522

203

203

202

202

18169

900

515

167

181

99

509

99

520

522

104

9527

99

525

525

526

9

96

92

9

532 530

531

2

2

90

90

405

405

5

5

5

Granite Falls

Lake Stevens

Snohomish

MarysvilleLangley

Stanwood

Arlington

MUKILTEO

Sultan

Gold BarMill Creek

BothellWoodinville

Shoreline

Lynnwood

KirklandRedmond

Carnation

Sammamish

SnoqualmieNorth Bend

IssaquahNewcastle

SeaTac

Mercer IslandSEATTLE

BELLEVUE

RENTON

EDMONDS

MONROE

EVERETT

Lake Washington

K I N G

S N O H O M I S H

S K A G I T

WHIDBEYISLAND

CAMANOISLAND

15

2913 20 21

26 2728

25

2930

56

3

3

18

12

16

17

19

2

31

1

133

2422 23

4

7 8 9 10

11 14

27 29

24

Services and Accommodations

CITIES/TOWNS/COMMUNITIES

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Mukilteo X X X X X X X X X X

Everett X X X X X X X X X X

Snohomish X X X X X X X X X X

Monroe X X X X X X X X X X X

This chart identifies services and accommodations located within city/town limits or within a driving distance of five miles.


12

15

9

Lush forests and thundering waterfalls line the scenic byway up and over Stevens Pass, traversing through charming historic towns that offer friendly hospitality and remnants of the past on the drive across the Cascades.

21. Winter recreation: snowboarding and downhill skiing at Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard Resort with 1,125 skiable acres and 1,800 vertical feet, ten chair lifts, three day lodges, snow play area, and night skiing; mountain bike trails in the summer (Stevens Pass Bike Park) and hiking trails with connection to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

22. Cross-country skiing at Stevens Pass Nordic Center

23. Coles Corner (from here, proceed east on SR 2 to Leavenworth, or take the back road, SR 207, through Plain, which also leads to Leavenworth)

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Sultan Shindig, Gold Dust Days in

Goldbar, Index Art Festival, Sky Valley Farm Festival, Return of the Salmon Celebration, and more

2. Surrounding national forest lands (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF and Okawen NF) and recreational opportunities (walking, hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife/bird watching, snowmobiling in select areas, and more)

3. Watch whitewater kayakers and rafters in Class 5 rapids at Milepost 34 or head out for your own rafting and kayaking excursions on the Skykomish River

4. Skykomish River and Valley: river access, wildlife/bird watching, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more

5. Small, historic towns of Sultan (historic downtown with visitor center and museum, Grow Washington local store), Startup, Gold Bar, Index (interpretive center), Baring (store in historic building), Grotto, and Skykomish (historic town center and miniature railroad)


7. Osprey Park in Sultan with wetlands, riparian eco-system and salmon spawning along one-mile river walk, trails, nature, restrooms and more

8. Sportsmen Park and nearby Wallace River Salmon Hatchery in Sultan (river and fishing access, picnicking, and more)

9. Waterfalls: Wallace Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Canyon Falls, Eagle Falls, Alpine Falls, Deception Falls, and others (for a closer look at Bridal Veil Falls, visitors can hike the Lake Serene Trail, following the spur trails to viewing deck)

2 | Stevens Pass Greenway

10. Wallace Falls State Park (near Gold Bar with seven-mile loop trail offering panoramic views from the top of the 265’ falls )

11. Pickett Interpretive Museum in Index (June through August weekends; mining, quarrying, logging and area’s natural disasters are featured)


13. Doolittle Park in Index

14. Wild Sky Wilderness Area (north of Index and Skykomish in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

15. Heybrook Historic Fire Lookout Station (strenuous hike to lookout structure; trailhead is two miles east of steel bridge across Skykomish River on north side of SR 2)

16. Barclay Creek Trail (north on Barclay Creek Road #6024 at Baring)

17. Old Cascade Scenic Highway (13.3 mile side loop route, from Money Creek Bridge to Stevens Pass Ski Area)

18. Iron Goat Interpretive Site/Trail (SR 2 Milepost 58.3, rest stop with short and long trail options, historic caboose and 1892 remnant rail line and interpretation)

19. Historic Wellington Town Site

20. Cascade Tunnel (longest railroad tunnel in the US)


2524

522

203

203

202

99

520

522

104

9524

99

525

525

526

96

2

2

90

405

5

2

2

527

9

522

Sultan

BELLEVUE

StartupGold Bar

Index

BaringGrotto

Skykomish

Carnation

Duvall

Redmond

WoodinvilleBothell

Kirkland

Sammamish

Monroe

EVERETT

Mill Creek

Snohomish

Lake Washington

PlainColes Corner

Leavenworth

C H E L A N

K I N G

S N O H O M I S HMOUNT BAKER -

SNOQUALMIENATIONAL FOREST1 1

65

7 85

4 5

10 9

2 1

14

13

129 9

9

1445 5

14

14

9 18

17 20

17

1921

14

14 23

2122

20

17

5

5 169

15 511

143

22

21

18

20



VIS

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Sultan X X X X X X X X X X

Gold Bar X X X X X X X X

Index X X X X X X X

Baring X X X X X

Skykomish X X X X X X X X X X

Stevens Pass X X X X X X



42

A Bavarian village and classic all-American small towns nestled in the foothills of the eastern slope offer a diversity of recreational and cultural experiences.

13. Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery

14. Outdoor Summer Theater under the stars in Leavenworth

15. Leavenworth Waterfront Park/interpretive walk and birding

16. Leavenworth Ski Hill

17. Peshastin/Dryden/Peshastin Pinnacles State Park

18. Cashmere Mission District and Cottage Avenue Historic District

19. Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village/Chelan County Historical Society

20. Aplets and Cotlets® treats and candy-making tours in Cashmere

21. Antiques shopping in Cashmere

22. Cider Mill in Cashmere

23. Chelan County Fair in Cashmere

24. Mountain biking (Mission Ridge & Devil’s Gulch trails are two of the top mountain biking destinations in the Pacific Northwest; trails start at the headwaters of Mission Creek near Cashmere)


Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Taste of Leavenworth, Maifest

in Leavenworth, Leavenworth Bird Fest, Leavenworth Wine Walk and Wine Tasting Festival, Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, Cashmere Founders’ Days, Kinderfest, 4th of July Celebration, Chelan County Fair, Bike & Brew Festival, Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, Oktoberfest, Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth (nationally recognized and acclaimed), Ice Fest, Leavenworth Art in the Park (Pacific Northwest’s longest continually-running outdoor art show), Wenatchee River Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, and more

2. Lake Wenatchee/Plain/Leavenworth Mini-Loop Route (Follow 207 and Chumstick Highway

a. Camping, fishing, trails/hiking, boating, picnicking and other activities at Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, Wenatchee Ridge, and surrounding areas

b. Lake Wenatchee State Park: cross-country skiing, fishing, camping, and more

c. Soapstone Park/geologic history

d. Sugarloaf Peak Fire Lookout station

e. Scenic views and overlooks throughout the mini-loop


4. Scottish Lakes High Camp (skiing, showshoeing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, cabins/lodging)

3 | Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills

5. Recreation opportunities in the surrounding national forest lands (Okanogan-Wenatchee NF) and other public lands, including camping at Tumwater, Soda Springs, and many other campgrounds; destination for rock climbing; picnicking at the Swift Water wayside and many other sites; wildlife/bird watching; snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing; and 800 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking (Freund Canyon is ranked as one of the best mountain biking trails in the world); Devil’s Gulch



8. Bavarian Leavenworth with many cultural, historic (Upper Valley Museum), and recreational activities and events year-round, as well as art galleries, agritourism/culinary, shopping, and more (be sure to see the only Nutcracker Museum in the Americas with one of the earliest dated nutcrackers on display)

9. Leavenworth Art Walk and Garden Tour

10. Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth

11. Icicle Junction Activities Center in Leavenworth

12. Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course and other golfing opportunities in Leavenworth and surrounding area


32

2

2

97

97

970

10

405

97

2

28

97A

97A

Entiat

WENATCHEEEAST WENATCHEE

Manson

Cashmere

Leavenworth

PlainColes Corner

Rock Island

C H E L A N

OKANOGAN - WENATCHEE

NATIONAL FOREST

D O U G L A S

K I T T I TA S

23

1621

22

20

17

7

1

8

1

9

16

43

5

24

14 11

12 106

713 15

7

2219

2

181 25

87

12


VIS

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Leavenworth X X X X X X X X X X X

Cashmere X X X X X X X X X




4

13

2

12

Orchards, vineyards, and farmlands roll across the landscape and along the shores of the Great Columbia River, with bustling towns that are commercial hubs of Washington’s important fruit industry.

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Washington State Apple Blossom

Festival, Northwest Mariachi Festival, Fiestas Mexicanas in Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley Street Rods and Apple Run Car Show, Chrysler Antique Car Show, Wings and Wheels Festival (Spirit of Wenatchee/Miss Veedol replica plane on display), and more

2. Agritourism and culinary tourism opportunities: fruit industry of North Central Washington, farm and fruit stands and tours of orchards and vineyards, wineries and wine tasting, farm-to-table/fresh local foods, farmers markets

3. Historic Downtown Wenatchee/National Historic District and Nationally Designated Main Street Community, Walking Tour, and Art on the Avenues including sculpture gardens; also xeriscape gardens along Apple Capital Loop Trail.

4. Pybus Market in Wenatchee

5. Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail/Wenatchee Riverfront Park/Walla Walla Point Park

6. Wenatchee Confluence State Park at the Columbia and Wenatchee River confluence

7. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway

8. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center

9. Bridge of Friendship Garden (East Wenatchee)

10. Columbia River Bridge (Old Wenatchee Bridge)

11. Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball

12. Wenatchee Foothills trail system

4 | Wenatchee/Columbia River Valley

13. Ohme Gardens

14. Ice Age Floods Geological Trail (self-driving tour)

15. Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort

16. Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center

17. David Thompson 1811 historic landing site at Rock Island

18. Rock Island Hydro Park

19. Lincoln Rock/Lincoln Rock State Park

20. Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center in Entiat

21. Entiat Park on Lake Entiat/Columbia River

22. Entiat Waterfront Trail/Water Access/Marina

23. Abby Dabby Park/Columbia River overlook

24. Entiat Fish Hatchery/Silver Falls (camping, short hike to falls)

25. Entiat River Valley trails and recreation (29 miles upvalley)


42

2

97

97

2

10

28

97

150

971

971

97A

97A

97

Entiat

WENATCHEE EAST WENATCHEE

Manson

Cashmere

Leavenworth

Plain

Rock Island

Chelan

Waterville

C H E L A N


NATIONAL FOREST

D O U G L A S

K I T T I TA S

2421

16

132

14

18312

11

14

15

192

10

22 2023

1789

2 417

65

25

21

15

19


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Wenatchee X X X X X X X X X X X

East Wenatchee X X X X X X X X X

Entiat X X X X X X X X X X




94

11

A pristine, glacier-fed lake slices deeply into the heart of the Cascade Mountains in a setting that offers abundant scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

16. Chelan River Gorge and waterway/Reach One Trail

17. Chelan Butte (scenic area and air sports area that is home to world championship hang-gliding and paragliding)

18. Lake Chelan Butte Trail and Lookout

19. Chelan Airport skydiving

20. Chelan Fish Hatchery/Interpretive Center

21. Beebe Springs Natural Area

22. Beebe Bridge/Beebe Bridge Park

23. Chelan Falls Historic Powerhouse

24. McNeil Canyon Road (scenic drive)

25. Scenic view of Lake Chelan when coming in from the east via Highway 97 A

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Earth Day Fair (Chelan), Lake

Chelan Nouveau Wines Release, Lake Chelan Spring Barrel Tasting, Manson Apple Blossom, Cruzin’ Chelan Muscle Car Show, Century Cycle Challenge, Manson 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, Lake Chelan Bach Fest, Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, Chelan Ridge Hawk Festival, Mahogany and Merlot Vintage Boat Fest, Hydrofest, Lake Chelan Crush Classic, Red Wine and Chocolate, Fall Barrel Tasting in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, Sailing Regatta, Shore to Shore Boston Marathon Qualifier, Winterfest Fire and Ice Celebration, Rodeo, and more


3. Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation with 22 wineries and 3 tasting rooms

4. Lake Chelan (scenic beauty; recreation—water sports, parasailing, flyboarding, boating, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding, sailing; and history/Discover Lake Chelan Historical Tour)

5. Diverse, year-round recreation opportunities throughout Lake Chelan area public lands (local parks, state parks including Lake Chelan and 25 Mile Creek State Parks, state wildlife areas, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and North Cascades National Park complex for trails, access to backcountry, snowmobiling

6. Historic Downtown Chelan (Historic Ruby Theater, Campbell’s Resort history, National Main Street designation, downtown walking tour of Historic Chelan, and more)

7. Don Morse Memorial Park in Chelan and other city parks, public beaches and marinas (Manson Bay, Lakeside Park, Chelan Riverwalk Park loop trail, and more)

5 | Lake Chelan Valley

8. Lake Chelan Valley Historical Society’s Museum and rich history including the heritage of the Wapato and Colville Tribes

9. Lady of the Lake passenger ferry trip uplake from Chelan (access to Stehekin with stops on the way)

10. Uplake Places to Visit (by boat or floatplane):

a. Historic Holden Village (retreat center/Holden Mine remediation)

b. Lucerne Village (private community with public camping around Refrigerator Harbor; can walk around village)

c. Domke Lake (pictographs, hiking, make reservations for camping)

d. Stehekin (National Historic District with biking, hiking, sight-seeing/Rainbow Falls, horseback riding, Stehekin River fishing and rafting, and other recreational opportunities in the area and upvalley; can also hike into Stehekin via Cascade Pass/Pacific Crest Trail from Marblemount)




13. Manson Scenic Loop

14. Manson Village (artisan food and wine experience; Manson Heritage Tree and other monuments)

15. Manson Lakefront Park & Marina


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Cashmere

Leavenworth

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Pateros

Stehekin

C H E L A N


NATIONAL FOREST

O K A N O G A N

D O U G L A S

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7

18

5

1513

From the confluence of the Columbia to the crest of the Cascades, with miles of open range, endless star-filled skies, natural recreation, and a frontier atmosphere of the Old West, year-round experiences can be enjoyed by all.

29. Heli-skiing (out of Mazama)

30. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail access near Mazama

31. Early Winters and Klipchuck Campgrounds; Cedar Creek Trail

32. Lone Fir campground/interpretive loop trail

33. Cutthroat Lake Trail

34. Washington Pass scenic overlook/Blue Lake Trailhead/Gateway to the North Cascades (spectacular views of Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires)

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Winthrop Balloon Festival, Ride

to Rendezvous Horseback & Wagon Ride, 49’er Days in Winthrop, Methow Valley Rodeo, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues, Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree, Methow Valley Chamber Music, Hydro Classic (Pateros), Winthrop Vintage Wheels Show, and more


3. Wells Dam Recreation Area on the Columbia River

4. Gateway to Okanogan Trails Scenic Byway and Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway

5. Columbia River/Methow River confluence/Lake Pateros

6. World famous salmon and steelhead fishing

7. Alta Lake/Alta Lake State Park

8. TwispWorks Arts and Heritage Resource Center (working artist studios open Saturdays) and Confluence Gallery and Art Center in Twisp

9. Methow Valley Interpretive Center (Native American and natural history in Twisp)

10. Twisp Farmers Market (one of Washington’s first)

11. Twisp Visitor Center

12. Winthrop Visitor Center

13. Winthrop Historic Western Town (experience the Spirit of the Old West with false-front buildings and wooden sidewalks)

6 | The Methow Valley

14. Shafer Museum housed in the historic Guy Waring Log Cabin (built in 1879)

15. Methow River (easy, family-friendly river floats)

16. Many lakes (including Pearrygin Lake at Pearrygin Lake State Park, Patterson Lake, Twin Lake and others)


18. North America’s largest Nordic ski trail network

19. Mountain biking trail networks for all levels, including Starvation Mountain (24-mile single track mountain bike loop) and world-class hiking trails including wheelchair accessible areas and highly technical hikes

20. Falls Creek waterfalls (wheelchair accessible)

21. Pasayten Wilderness, Hart’s Pass (highest drivable point in Washington), and Robinson Creek (trails, horse packing, and backpacking)

22. Lookout Mountain trails

23. Big Valley Recreation Area trails

24. Twisp River Recreation Area

25. Loup Loup Ski Bowl and mountain bike trail network

26. North Cascades smoke-jumper base (north of Twisp; birthplace of smoke-jumping)

27. Unique pedestrian bridges (SaTeekh Wa Bridge, Spring Creek Bridge, Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge)

28. Fun Rock and Goat Wall rock climbing; access to Goat Wall overlook/Goat Peak Lookout (out of Mazama)


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Methow

Winthrop

Twisp

Mazama

Stehekin

Pateros

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Chelan

C H E L A N

O K A N O G A N


NATIONAL FOREST

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Winthrop X X X X X X X X X X

Mazama X X X X X X X X



2b

2l

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2k2h

85

Dramatic mountain peaks and spectacular scenery across national forest and park lands - this is the Cascades at their best - with lakes, rivers, creeks, abundant hiking trails, and travelers’ rests along the way

Places to Visit1. Rainy Pass Travelers Rest/Rainy Lake Trail and Picnic Area

(wheelchair accessible), Maple Pass/Lake Ann trail loop (one of the best hikes in Washington) and other trails

2. North Cascades National Park & Ross Lake National Recreation Area (abundant recreation throughout the entire area)

a. Canyon Creek Trail

b. Ross Lake/overlooks

c. Happy Creek Forest Walk

d. Thunder Knob Trail/Park Creek Trail

e. Diablo Lake Trail/overlook

f. Colonial Creek/Thunder Woods Nature Trail

g. Diablo Dam/Diablo Lake/lake tours

h. North Cascades Institute/Environmental Learning Center

i. Gorge Creek Falls/trail/viewpoint

j. Newhalem/Skagit boat, lake and dam tours

k. Newhalem area trails/Newhalem Creek/Goodall Creek

l. North Cascades National Park Visitor Center (Newhalem)

m. North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center (Marblemount/backcountry permits)

3. Historic Town of Marblemount/access to Cascade Pass

4. Tiny Church/Wildwood Chapel wayside near Marblemount, Milepost 103.5

7 | North Cascades

5. Rockport State Park/David Douglas Historical Marker

6. Howard Miller Steelhead Park

7. Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area & Interpretive Center/Skagit Bald Eagle Festival


9. Concrete Heritage Museum

10. Baker Lake area and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest recreational opportunities

11. Baker River Hydroelectric Project/Visitor Center/Fish Collection Facility (Puget Sound Energy Visitors Gallery)

12. Historic Henry Thompson Bridge

13. North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum

14. Hurn Field/elk viewing year-round

15. Skagit Wild and Scenic River

16. Cascades Trail/Historic Great Northern Railway Corridor

17. Rasar State Park


720

530

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538

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20

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Mazama

Concrete

HamiltonLymanSedro-Woolley

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W H AT C O M

O K A N O G A N

S K A G I T

Marblemount

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Newhalem X X X X X X

Marblemount X X X X X X X

Rockport X X X X

Concrete X X X X X X X



North

0

0

5 Miles

5 Kilometers

BagleyLakes

Galena ChainLakes

TwinLakes

ChilliwackLake

SilverLake

HozomeenLake

Ridley Lake

WillowLake

LakeAnn

ShuksanLake

GreenLake

WatsonLakes

BerdeenLake

BarnabySlough

Falls Lake

Jug Lake

BenchLake

SouthCascade

Lake

ItswootLake

JordanLakes

GraniteLakes

FoundLakes

DoubtfulLake

TrapperLake

Green ViewLake

RainyLake

BlueLake

DaggerLake

HoldenLake

DomkeLake

McAlester Lake

Coon Lake

Lake Ann

SlideLake

Whale Lake

Cyclone Lake

MonogramLake

HiddenLake

MoraineLake

PorcupineCreek

ThorntonLakes

Azure LakeSourdough

Lake

GorgeLake

PriceLake

Swift

Shuksan

Creek

Creek

Blum

Baker

Chilliwac

k

Nooksack River

Rive

r

Creek

Creek

Brush

Creek

Creek

Creek

Cree

k

Lightning

River

Skagit

Silver

Perry

Redoubt

Indian

Bear Creek

River

Creek

Diablo Lake

Creek Creek

Cree

k

Creek

LA

KE

LAKE CH

ELAN

RO

SS

Creek

Ruby Creek

Ruby Arm

Crat

er

M

ay

Creek

Cree

k

Creek

Creek

Boulder Creek

Mill Creek Slate

Canyon

Devils

Creek

Dry

Chuchuwanteen Creek

Fork Cas

tle

Skull

Creek

Rock Creek

Wes

t

Fork

P

asay

ten

C

reek

Creek Creek

Beaver

Little

Arctic Creek

Three Fools Creek

Cinnamon Creek

No N

ame

Skymo

Thirt

yni n

e M

ile

Beaver

Big

M

cMillan

Stetattle Creek

Gorge Cr

Goodell

Creek

Creek

Thunder Creek

Creek

Stillaguamish River

Cascade

Otter Creek

River Jordan Creek

Marble Creek

Boulder Creek

Downey

Creek

Sulphur Creek

Kindy Creek

South Fork

Middle Fork

Flat Creek

Park Creek

Bridge Creek

Stehekin River

West Fork

Sout

h

For

k

Agnes C

reek

Company

Creek

Boulder

Creek

Dev

ore

C

reek

Fish Creek

Illabot Creek

River

River

Suiattle

River

Sauk

Skagit

Rive

r

Skag

it

Rocky

Creek

Creek

Creek

Creek

East Creek

Granite Creek

Creek

Swamp Creek

Methow River

Trout Creek

Granite

Stillwell Creek

Creek

Fisher

Panther

Thunder

McAllister

Diobsud

Jackman Creek

Finney Creek

Bacon

Creek

Noisy

Bake

r

Lake

Lake

Sha

nnon

Silesia

Creek

North Fork

New

hale

m

Cre

ek

Ferry route to/from Chelan

East Nooksack Glacier

Crystal Glacier Sul�de Glacier

Redoubt Glacier

Challenger Glacier

Nohokomeen Glacier

Jerry Glacier

Neve Glacier

KlawattiGlacier

McAllisterGlacier

EldoradoGlacier

FremontGlacier

DouglasGlacier

GoodeGlacier

SandaleeGlacier

Colonial Glacier

Inspiration Glacier

Boston Glacier

MiddleCascade

Glacier

SouthCascade Glacier

LeConte Glacier

Dome Glacier

Dusty Glacier

Chocolate Glacier

To Glacier(U.S. Forest Service andNational Park Serviceinformation)4mi 6km

To Sedro-vWoolley23mi 37km

To White Horse1mi 0.6km

To Hope, B.C.40mi 64km

N O O K S A C K R I D G E

SHUKSAN ARM

EASY RID

GE

PICKET RANGE

Copper

Ridg

e Tra

il

CRESCENT SPIRES

NOOKSACKCIRQUE

BUCK

SKIN

RI

DG

E

JackPoint

CatIsland

TenmileIsland

Spencer’sIsland

RolandPoint

HELLSBASIN

MCKAY RIDGE

TEEBON

E RIDG

E

MINERS RIDGE

KAN

GA

ROO

RIDG

E

SNAGTOOTHRIDGE

Chill

iwac

k T

rail

Brush Creek Trail

Little Beaver Trail

Big Beaver Trail

Hozomeen Trail

Willow Lake Trail

Mountain

Loop Highway

Suiattle Trail

Railroad Creek Trail

Devo

re

Cr

eek Tra

il

Purple Creek Trail

Rain

bow

Cre

ek T

rail

McAlester Trail

Rainbow Lake Trail

Old W

agon Tr ail

Twisp Pass Trail

Flat Creek T

rail

Cascade

Pass Trail

Bridge Creek Trail

North Fork Bridge Trail

Cutthroat

Trail

Blue LakeTrailRainy Lake

National Recreation Trail

DARRINGTON

MARBLEMOUNT

CONCRETE

Rockport

Diablo

LucerneHolden

NEWHALEM

Upper BakerDam

Lower Baker Dam

GorgeDam

DiabloDam

Ross Dam

The Portage

MOUNT BAKER WILDERNESS

MOUNT BAKERWILDERNESS

G L A C I E R P E A K W I L D E R N E S S

L A K E C H E L A N -

S A W T O O T H

W I L D E R N E S S

P A S A Y T E N W I L D E R N E S S

M O U N T B A K E R -

S N O Q U A L M I E

N A T I O N A L

F O R E S T

W E N A T C H E E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

O K A N O G A N

N A T I O N A L

F O R E S T

NOISY-

DIOBSUD

WILDERNESS

MOUNT BAKERNATIONALRECREATIONAREA (U.S. Forest Service)

S K A G I T V A L L E Y

P R O V I N C I A L P A R K

C H I L L I W A C K L A K E


M A N N I N G


Devils Dome Loop

Dev

ils

Dome Loo

p

Lightning Creek Tra

il

Bak

er L

ake

Road

Sauk

Concrete

Valley

Road

Rockport Cascade Ro ad

Road

Creek

Illabot

Cascade River Road

Fisher Creek Trail

Thunder Creek Trail

Park Creek Trail

Easy Pass Tr

ail

HiddenLakeTrail

MonogramLake Trail

ThorntonLakesRoad

ThorntonLakes

Trail

To Winthrop(U.S. Forest Service

information)21mi 34km

To Mazama12mi 19km

Silver Fir

ArtistPoint

Heather MeadowsVisitor Center

MountBaker

Ski Area

Park Creek

Panorama Point

Shadow ofSentinels

BoulderCreek

Kulshan

HorseshoeCove

Shannon Creek

Baker LakeResort

Colonial Creek

DiabloLakeOverlook

Gorge CreekFalls

Ross LakeOverlooks

Ross Lake

Hozomeen

Marble Creek

North Cascades National ParkWilderness Information Center

RockportState Park

Howard MillerSteelhead Park

Harts Pass

Lone Fir

Rainy Pass

Washington PassOverlook

Wheelchair accessto Rainy Lake

Meadows

Backcountry permits

Buck Creek

Mineral Park

Downey Creek

BullionTumwater

High Bridge

Sulphur Creek

RainbowFalls

Buckner OrchardStehekin Lodging

Purple Point

HarlequinCampground

Weaver Point

StehekinLanding

Manly Wham

Flick Creek

Moore Point

4-wheel-driveconditions east

of this point

Baker Lake Trail

To Arlington28mi 45km

See detail map below

Goode RidgeTrail

North Cascades Highway detail

Silver-Skagit Road

Hannegan Trail

East

Ban

k Tr

ail

Desolation

Trail

Boulder Creek Trail

North CascadesNational ParkVisitor Center

Backcountry permits

Golden WestVisitor Center

Goat Mountain6890ft2100m

HanneganPass

5066ft1544m

Mount Challenger8207ft2501m

Mount Prophet7640ft2329m

Elephant Butte7380ft2249m

Sourdough Mountain6120ft1865m

Mount Despair7292ft2223m

Bacon Peak7061ft2152m

Mount Blum7680ft2341m

Mount Triumph7271ft2216m

Damnation Peak5635ft1718m

Mount Terror8151ft2484m

McMillan Spire8000ft2439m

Pinnacle Peak6819ft2078m

Mount Fury8291ft2527m

Luna Peak8311ft2533m

Copper Mountain7142ft2177m

Whatcom Peak7574ft2309m

Mount Redoubt8969ft2734m

Beaver Pass3620ft1103m

Mount Spickard8979ft2737m

5206ft1587mWhatcom Pass

Mount Hermann6286ft1916m

Coleman Pinnacle6403ft1952m

Mount Shuksan9131ft2783m

Mount Baker10781ft

3286m

4741ft1445m

Austin Pass

Little JackassMountain

4387ft1337m

Hozomeen Mountain 8066ft 2459m

Desolation Peak6102ft1860m

Skagit Peak6800ft2073m

Spratt Mountain7258ft2212m

Devils Dome6982ft2128m

7362ft2244m

7815ft2382m

Dry CreekPass

Devils Pass

Holman Pass

Woody Pass

DeceptionPass

Mount Winthrop7850ft2393m

HopkinsPass

Castle Pass

Joker Mountain7603ft2317m

Castle Peak8306ft2532m

DiobsudButtes5893ft1796m

Sauk Mountain5541ft1689m

Lookout Mountain5699ft1737m

Pyramid Peak7182ft2189m

Snow�eld Peak8347ft2544m

RubyMountain

7408ft2258m

Jack Mountain9066ft2763m

CraterMountain

8128ft2477m

Beebe Mountain7416ft2260m

Majestic Mountain7451ft2271m

Mount Ballard8301ft2530m

Gabriel Peak7920ft2414m

Mesahchie Pass5960ft1817m

Easy Pass6525ft1989m

Fisher Peak8060ft2457m

Liberty Bell Mtn7740ft 2359m

Mesahchie Peak8795ft2681m

Mount Arriva8215ft2504m

Silver StarMountain

8876ft2705m

Frisco Mountain7780ft2371m

Stilletto Peak7660ft 2335m

5477ft1669m

Washington Pass

6837ft2084m

Cutthroat Pass

Rainy Pass4855ft1480m

6064ft1848mTwisp Pass

South Pass6305ft1922m

McAlester Pass

Hock Mountain7750ft2362m

McAlesterMountain

7928ft2416m

Rainbow Mountain6040ft1841m

Purple Mt7161ft2183m

Tupshin Peak8320ft2536m

Dome Peak8920ft2719m

LeConte Mountain7762ft2366m

Spider Mountain8286ft2526m

MountFormidable

8325ft2537m

CascadePeak

7428ft2264m

Johannesburg Mtn8200ft2499m

GloryMountain

7228ft2203m

Mount Logan9087ft2770m

Red Mountain7658ft2334m

Sahale Mtn8680ft2646m

BucknerMountain9112ft2777m

Park Creek Pass6059ft1847m

Forbidden Peak8815ft2687m

8894ft2711m

Bost on Peak

Cascade Pass5392ft 1643m

TrapperMountain

7530ft2295m

MagicMountain

7610ft2320m

Spire Point8264ft2519m

Castle Rock8137ft2480m

Bonanza Peak9511ft2899m

War Creek Pass

PurplePass

McGregor Mountain8122ft2476m

7895ft2406mBowan Mountain

Early Winter Spires7807ft2380m

Copper Pass

8182ft2494mBlack Peak

8970ft2734m

GoodeMountain

9220ft2810m

Eldorado Peak8868ft2703m

Klawatti Peak8485ft2586m

Fisher Pass

Granite Pass

Methow Pass

Tower Mountain8444ft2574m

Lime Mountain6772ft2064m

Green Mountain6500ft1981m

SnowkingMountain

7433ft2266m

Mount Buckindy7320ft2231m

Huckleberry Mountain5361ft1634m

SuiattleMountain

5040ft1536m

Circle Peak5983ft1824m

White ChuckMountain6989ft2130m

Prairie Mountain5678ft1731m

Glacier Peak10541ft

3213m

20

20

542

530

530

CANADAUNITED STATES

British ColumbiaWashington

North Cascades Highway (closed m

id-Nov to April)

Paci

�c

Crest

Nat

ional

Scenic

Trai

l

(PCNST)

N O R T H C A S C A D E S

N A T I O N A L P A R K

S O U T H U N I T

L A K E C H E L A N

N A T I O N A L

R E C R E A T I O N A R E A



N O R T H U N I T

ROSS LAKE

NATIONAL

RECREATION

AREA

Paci

�c

C

rest

Nat

iona

l

Sc

enic

Tra

il

20

20

N O R T H C A S C A D E SN A T I O N A L P A R K

ROSS LAKENATIONAL

RECREATION AREAGorgeLakeCreek

Creek

Stetattle

Diablo Lake

Ross Lake

Ruby Creek

Ruby Arm

Gorge Creek

Goodell

Creek

Stillwell Creek

Thunder

Colonial Glacier

Neve Glacier

CougarIsland

Diablo

NEWHALEM

GorgeDam

DiabloDam

RossDam

Pyramid Lake

Trail

Thunder

Stetattle Trail

Diablo Lake Trail

Sourdough Mtn Trail

Creek

Panther Creek

Trail

Jack

M

t Trail

Trail

East Bank Trail

Happy Pant her Trail

Skagit RiverHazardous AreaBe wary of extreme,unpredictable �uctuations in water levels. Goodell Creek

Newhalem Creek

Colonial Creek

North CascadesEnvironmentalLearning Center

Diablo LakeOverlook

Gorge Creek FallsRuby Creek

Ross LakeOverlooks

Ross Lake ResortBoat taxi, boat fuel

Happy CreekForest Walk

Fourth ofJuly Trail

Thunder Knob Trail

Thunder WoodsNature Trail

CanyonCreek Trail



Davis Peak7051ft2149m

5985ft1824m


Ruby Mountain7408ft2258m

Colonial Peak7771ft2369m

Hidden HandPass

Fourth of JulyPass3507ft1069m

Paul Bunyans Stump7480ft2280m


0 1

0 1

2 Miles

2 Kilometers

North

Boat-in campsite

Picnic area Gasoline

Food service

Boat launchGroup campground

Campground

Lodging

Self-guiding trail

Visitor information

Telephone

Restrooms

Wheelchair-accessible

Ranger station

Store

Make local inquiry for mapsand permits for backcountrycamping facilities.

Paci�c CrestNational ScenicTrail (PCNST)Other trail

Unpaved road

2m2l

2k 2j

2i

2a. Canyon Creek Trail2b. Ross Lake/overlooks2c. Happy Creek Forest Walk2d. Thunder Knob Trail/Park Creek Trail2e. Diablo Lake Trail/overlook2f. Colonial Creek/Thunder Woods Nature Trail2g. Diablo Dam/Diablo Lake/lake tours2h. North Cascades Institute/Environmental Learning Center2i. Gorge Creek Falls/trail/viewpoint2j. Newhalem/Skagit boat, lake and dam tours2k. Newhalem area trails/Newhalem Creek/ Goodall Creek2l. North Cascades National Park Visitor Center (Newhalem)2m. North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center (Marblemount/ backcountry permits)

LEGEND

2g


North

0

0

5 Miles

5 Kilometers

BagleyLakes

Galena ChainLakes

TwinLakes

ChilliwackLake

SilverLake

HozomeenLake

Ridley Lake

WillowLake

LakeAnn

ShuksanLake

GreenLake

WatsonLakes

BerdeenLake

BarnabySlough

Falls Lake

Jug Lake

BenchLake

SouthCascade

Lake

ItswootLake

JordanLakes

GraniteLakes

FoundLakes

DoubtfulLake

TrapperLake

Green ViewLake

RainyLake

BlueLake

DaggerLake

HoldenLake

DomkeLake

McAlester Lake

Coon Lake

Lake Ann

SlideLake

Whale Lake

Cyclone Lake

MonogramLake

HiddenLake

MoraineLake

PorcupineCreek

ThorntonLakes

Azure LakeSourdough

Lake

GorgeLake

PriceLake

Swift

Shuksan

Creek

Creek

Blum

Baker

Chilliwac

k

Nooksack River

Rive

r

Creek

Creek

Brush

Creek

Creek

Creek

Cree

k

Lightning

River

Skagit

Silver

Perry

Redoubt

Indian

Bear Creek

River

Creek

Diablo Lake

Creek Creek

Cree

k

Creek

LA

KE

LAKE CH

ELAN

RO

SS

Creek

Ruby Creek

Ruby Arm

Crat

er

M

ay

Creek

Cree

k

Creek

Creek

Boulder Creek

Mill Creek Slate

Canyon

Devils

Creek

Dry

Chuchuwanteen Creek

Fork Cas

tle

Skull

Creek

Rock Creek

Wes

t

Fork

P

asay

ten

C

reek

Creek Creek

Beaver

Little

Arctic Creek

Three Fools Creek

Cinnamon Creek

No N

ame

Skymo

Thirt

yni n

e M

ile

Beaver

Big

M

cMillan

Stetattle Creek

Gorge Cr

Goodell

Creek

Creek

Thunder Creek

Creek

Stillaguamish River

Cascade

Otter Creek

River Jordan Creek

Marble Creek

Boulder Creek

Downey

Creek

Sulphur Creek

Kindy Creek

South Fork

Middle Fork

Flat Creek

Park Creek

Bridge Creek

Stehekin River

West Fork

Sout

h

For

k

Agnes C

reek

Company

Creek

Boulder

Creek

Dev

ore

C

reek

Fish Creek

Illabot Creek

River

River

Suiattle

River

Sauk

Skagit

Rive

r

Skag

it

Rocky

Creek

Creek

Creek

Creek

East Creek

Granite Creek

Creek

Swamp Creek

Methow River

Trout Creek

Granite

Stillwell Creek

Creek

Fisher

Panther

Thunder

McAllister

Diobsud

Jackman Creek

Finney Creek

Bacon

Creek

Noisy

Bake

r

Lake

Lake

Sha

nnon

Silesia

Creek

North Fork

New

hale

m

Cre

ek

Ferry route to/from Chelan

East Nooksack Glacier

Crystal Glacier Sul�de Glacier

Redoubt Glacier

Challenger Glacier

Nohokomeen Glacier

Jerry Glacier

Neve Glacier

KlawattiGlacier

McAllisterGlacier

EldoradoGlacier

FremontGlacier

DouglasGlacier

GoodeGlacier

SandaleeGlacier

Colonial Glacier

Inspiration Glacier

Boston Glacier

MiddleCascade

Glacier

SouthCascade Glacier

LeConte Glacier

Dome Glacier

Dusty Glacier

Chocolate Glacier

To Glacier(U.S. Forest Service andNational Park Serviceinformation)4mi 6km

To Sedro-vWoolley23mi 37km

To White Horse1mi 0.6km

To Hope, B.C.40mi 64km

N O O K S A C K R I D G E

SHUKSAN ARM

EASY RID

GE

PICKET RANGE

Copper

Ridg

e Tra

il

CRESCENT SPIRES

NOOKSACKCIRQUE

BUCK

SKIN

RI

DG

E

JackPoint

CatIsland

TenmileIsland

Spencer’sIsland

RolandPoint

HELLSBASIN

MCKAY RIDGE

TEEBON

E RIDG

E MINERS RIDGE

KAN

GA

ROO

RIDG

E

SNAGTOOTHRIDGE

Chill

iwac

k T

rail

Brush Creek Trail

Little Beaver Trail

Big Beaver Trail

Hozomeen Trail

Willow Lake Trail

Mountain

Loop Highway

Suiattle Trail

Railroad Creek Trail

Devo

re

Cr

eek Tra

il

Purple Creek Trail

Rain

bow

Cre

ek T

rail

McAlester Trail

Rainbow Lake Trail

Old W

agon Tr ail

Twisp Pass Trail

Flat Creek T

rail

Cascade

Pass Trail

Bridge Creek Trail

North Fork Bridge Trail

Cutthroat

Trail

Blue LakeTrailRainy Lake

National Recreation Trail

DARRINGTON

MARBLEMOUNT

CONCRETE

Rockport

Diablo

LucerneHolden

NEWHALEM

Upper BakerDam

Lower Baker Dam

GorgeDam

DiabloDam

Ross Dam

The Portage

MOUNT BAKER WILDERNESS

MOUNT BAKERWILDERNESS

G L A C I E R P E A K W I L D E R N E S S

L A K E C H E L A N -

S A W T O O T H

W I L D E R N E S S

P A S A Y T E N W I L D E R N E S S

M O U N T B A K E R -

S N O Q U A L M I E

N A T I O N A L

F O R E S T

W E N A T C H E E N A T I O N A L F O R E S T

O K A N O G A N

N A T I O N A L

F O R E S T

NOISY-

DIOBSUD

WILDERNESS

MOUNT BAKERNATIONALRECREATIONAREA (U.S. Forest Service)

S K A G I T V A L L E Y


C H I L L I W A C K L A K E


M A N N I N G


Devils Dome Loop

Dev

ils

Dome Loo

p

Lightning Creek Tra

il

Bak

er L

ake

Road

Sauk

Concrete

Valley

Road

Rockport Cascade Ro ad

Road

Creek

Illabot

Cascade River Road

Fisher Creek Trail

Thunder Creek Trail

Park Creek Trail

Easy Pass Tr

ail

HiddenLakeTrail

MonogramLake Trail

ThorntonLakesRoad

ThorntonLakes

Trail

To Winthrop(U.S. Forest Service

information)21mi 34km

To Mazama12mi 19km

Silver Fir

ArtistPoint

Heather MeadowsVisitor Center

MountBaker

Ski Area

Park Creek

Panorama Point

Shadow ofSentinels

BoulderCreek

Kulshan

HorseshoeCove

Shannon Creek

Baker LakeResort

Colonial Creek

DiabloLakeOverlook

Gorge CreekFalls

Ross LakeOverlooks

Ross Lake

Hozomeen

Marble Creek

North Cascades National ParkWilderness Information Center

RockportState Park

Howard MillerSteelhead Park

Harts Pass

Lone Fir

Rainy Pass

Washington PassOverlook

Wheelchair accessto Rainy Lake

Meadows

Backcountry permits

Buck Creek

Mineral Park

Downey Creek

BullionTumwater

High Bridge

Sulphur Creek

RainbowFalls

Buckner OrchardStehekin Lodging

Purple Point

HarlequinCampground

Weaver Point

StehekinLanding

Manly Wham

Flick Creek

Moore Point

4-wheel-driveconditions east

of this point

Baker Lake Trail

To Arlington28mi 45km

See detail map below

Goode RidgeTrail

North Cascades Highway detail

Silver-Skagit Road

Hannegan Trail

East

Ban

k Tr

ail

Desolation

Trail

Boulder Creek Trail


Backcountry permits

Golden WestVisitor Center

Goat Mountain6890ft2100m

HanneganPass

5066ft1544m

Mount Challenger8207ft2501m

Mount Prophet7640ft2329m

Elephant Butte7380ft2249m


Mount Despair7292ft2223m

Bacon Peak7061ft2152m

Mount Blum7680ft2341m

Mount Triumph7271ft2216m

Damnation Peak5635ft1718m

Mount Terror8151ft2484m

McMillan Spire8000ft2439m


Mount Fury8291ft2527m

Luna Peak8311ft2533m

Copper Mountain7142ft2177m

Whatcom Peak7574ft2309m

Mount Redoubt8969ft2734m

Beaver Pass3620ft1103m

Mount Spickard8979ft2737m

5206ft1587mWhatcom Pass

Mount Hermann6286ft1916m

Coleman Pinnacle6403ft1952m

Mount Shuksan9131ft2783m

Mount Baker10781ft

3286m

4741ft1445m

Austin Pass

Little JackassMountain

4387ft1337m

Hozomeen Mountain 8066ft 2459m

Desolation Peak6102ft1860m

Skagit Peak6800ft2073m

Spratt Mountain7258ft2212m

Devils Dome6982ft2128m

7362ft2244m

7815ft2382m

Dry CreekPass

Devils Pass

Holman Pass

Woody Pass

DeceptionPass

Mount Winthrop7850ft2393m

HopkinsPass

Castle Pass

Joker Mountain7603ft2317m

Castle Peak8306ft2532m

DiobsudButtes5893ft1796m

Sauk Mountain5541ft1689m

Lookout Mountain5699ft1737m


Snow�eld Peak8347ft2544m

RubyMountain

7408ft2258m

Jack Mountain9066ft2763m

CraterMountain

8128ft2477m

Beebe Mountain7416ft2260m

Majestic Mountain7451ft2271m

Mount Ballard8301ft2530m

Gabriel Peak7920ft2414m

Mesahchie Pass5960ft1817m

Easy Pass6525ft1989m

Fisher Peak8060ft2457m

Liberty Bell Mtn7740ft 2359m

Mesahchie Peak8795ft2681m

Mount Arriva8215ft2504m

Silver StarMountain

8876ft2705m

Frisco Mountain7780ft2371m

Stilletto Peak7660ft 2335m

5477ft1669m

Washington Pass

6837ft2084m

Cutthroat Pass

Rainy Pass4855ft1480m

6064ft1848mTwisp Pass

South Pass6305ft1922m

McAlester Pass

Hock Mountain7750ft2362m

McAlesterMountain

7928ft2416m

Rainbow Mountain6040ft1841m

Purple Mt7161ft2183m

Tupshin Peak8320ft2536m

Dome Peak8920ft2719m

LeConte Mountain7762ft2366m

Spider Mountain8286ft2526m

MountFormidable

8325ft2537m

CascadePeak

7428ft2264m

Johannesburg Mtn8200ft2499m

GloryMountain

7228ft2203m

Mount Logan9087ft2770m

Red Mountain7658ft2334m

Sahale Mtn8680ft2646m

BucknerMountain9112ft2777m

Park Creek Pass6059ft1847m

Forbidden Peak8815ft2687m

8894ft2711m

Bost on Peak

Cascade Pass5392ft 1643m

TrapperMountain

7530ft2295m

MagicMountain

7610ft2320m

Spire Point8264ft2519m

Castle Rock8137ft2480m

Bonanza Peak9511ft2899m

War Creek Pass

PurplePass

McGregor Mountain8122ft2476m

7895ft2406mBowan Mountain

Early Winter Spires7807ft2380m

Copper Pass

8182ft2494mBlack Peak

8970ft2734m

GoodeMountain

9220ft2810m

Eldorado Peak8868ft2703m

Klawatti Peak8485ft2586m

Fisher Pass

Granite Pass

Methow Pass

Tower Mountain8444ft2574m

Lime Mountain6772ft2064m

Green Mountain6500ft1981m

SnowkingMountain

7433ft2266m

Mount Buckindy7320ft2231m

Huckleberry Mountain5361ft1634m

SuiattleMountain

5040ft1536m

Circle Peak5983ft1824m

White ChuckMountain6989ft2130m

Prairie Mountain5678ft1731m

Glacier Peak10541ft

3213m

20

20

542

530

530

CANADAUNITED STATES

British ColumbiaWashington

North Cascades Highway (closed m

id-Nov to April)

Paci

�c

Crest

Nat

ional

Scenic

Trai

l

(PCNST)



S O U T H U N I T

L A K E C H E L A N

N A T I O N A L

R E C R E A T I O N A R E A



N O R T H U N I T

ROSS LAKE

NATIONAL

RECREATION

AREA

Paci

�c

C

rest

Nat

iona

l

Sc

enic

Tra

il

20

20

N O R T H C A S C A D E SN A T I O N A L P A R K

ROSS LAKENATIONAL

RECREATION AREAGorgeLakeCreek

Creek

Stetattle

Diablo Lake

Ross Lake

Ruby Creek

Ruby Arm

Gorge Creek

Goodell

Creek

Stillwell Creek

Thunder

Colonial Glacier

Neve Glacier

CougarIsland

Diablo

NEWHALEM

GorgeDam

DiabloDam

RossDam

Pyramid Lake

TrailThunder

Stetattle Trail

Diablo Lake Trail

Sourdough Mtn Trail

Creek

Panther Creek

Trail

Jack

M

t Trail

Trail

East Bank Trail

Happy Pant her Trail

Skagit RiverHazardous AreaBe wary of extreme,unpredictable �uctuations in water levels. Goodell Creek

Newhalem Creek

Colonial Creek

North CascadesEnvironmentalLearning Center

Diablo LakeOverlook

Gorge Creek FallsRuby Creek

Ross LakeOverlooks

Ross Lake ResortBoat taxi, boat fuel

Happy CreekForest Walk

Fourth ofJuly Trail

Thunder Knob Trail

Thunder WoodsNature Trail

CanyonCreek Trail



Davis Peak7051ft2149m

5985ft1824m


Ruby Mountain7408ft2258m

Colonial Peak7771ft2369m

Hidden HandPass

Fourth of JulyPass3507ft1069m

Paul Bunyans Stump7480ft2280m


0 1

0 1

2 Miles

2 Kilometers

North

Boat-in campsite

Picnic area Gasoline

Food service

Boat launchGroup campground

Campground

Lodging

Self-guiding trail

Visitor information

Telephone

Restrooms

Wheelchair-accessible

Ranger station

Store

Make local inquiry for mapsand permits for backcountrycamping facilities.

Paci�c CrestNational ScenicTrail (PCNST)Other trail

Unpaved road

2g

2g

2h

2d

2e

2e2b

2c 2b2b

2a

2f

2f


41

87

A proud agricultural heritage, American bald eagles, and colorful carpets of tulips across the lowland plains to Puget Sound, many experiences await travelers as they decend from the Cascades.

20. Mount Erie/trails, viewpoints

21. Anacortes Community Forestland/2,200 acres of trails, lakes, fishing

22. WT Preston Snagboat and Maritime Museum, a National Historic Landmark

23. Causland Memorial Park (on National Register of Historic Places) and other historic Anacortes sites

24. Tommy Thompson Trail along Fidalgo Bay/interpretive signs, seasonal guided history and nature walks; Guemes Channel Trail, various walking and biking routes/guides

25. Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Washington State Ferries, with service (passengers/autos) to San Juan Islands and Canada


27. Deception Pass and Deception Pass State Park/Campbell Lake/Rosario Beach

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival,

Berry Dairy Days (Burlington), Loggerodeo (Sedro-Woolley), Highland Games, Skagit County Fair and Rodeo, Festival of Family Farms, Skagit River Salmon Festival, Northwest Arts Alive, Oyster Run, Anacortes Spring Wine Festival, Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Anacortes 4th of July Celebration, Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey, and more




5. Historic Northern State Recreation Area/nature viewing and trails

6. North Cascades National Park Information Center/ranger office (Sedro-Woolley)

7. Burlington-Skagit County Regional Byways Visitor Center

8 | Skagit Valley & Fidalgo Island

8. Skagit bloom fields (tulips, daffodils, irises) and Skagit Valley Agricultural Scenic Corridor with talking fields, heritage barns, farm stands, farmers markets, u-pick fields and more

9. Skagit Master Gardener/Native Plant Society Discovery Gardens

10. Scenic Chuckanut Drive/along farm, bay and mountainside with access to Whatcom County

11. Little Mountain Park/trails, valley overlooks

12. History and museums: Sedro-Woolley Museum, Skagit County Museum, La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Children’s Museum of Skagit County in Burlington; homelands of the Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Lummi, Swinomish, Samish, and Stillaguamish Tribes; many examples of Northwest/Coast Salish native art; annual Canoe Journey


14. Camano Island/Camano Island State Park

15. Padilla Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary Interpretive Center (aquariums, trails, research reserve) and Padilla Bay Shore Trail

16. Swinomish Hat Pavilions in Swadabs Park

17. Rainbow Bridge

18. Bay View State Park/camping, beach, boat launch

19. Washington Park/trails, camping, boat launch


89

9

538

9

9

9

11

542

536

532 530

534

531

92528

529

9

96

99525

526

104

19

2

525

5

5

5

20

20

20

20

Granite Falls

Lake Stevens

Snohomish

MarysvilleLangley

Mukilteo

Mill Creek

Arlington

MONROE

EVERETT

S N O H O M I S H

MOUNT VERNON

ANACORTES

COUPEVILLE

OAK HARBOR

PORT TOWNSEND

Stanwood

La Conner

Burlington

Sedro-Woolley

Lyman

Hamilton

BELLINGHAM

CAMANOISLAND

WHIDBEYISLAND

FIDALGOISLAND

I S L A N D

S K A G I T

W H AT C O M

MOUNT BAKER - SNOQUALMIE

NATIONAL FOREST

2

53

626

3

79

2

17

1510

27

3

161

14

24

11

412

13

4

3

8

12

1

26

22

18 1 2120 25

12 23

26

19

17

18

14

23



VIS

ITO

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FORM

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Hamilton X

Lyman X

Sedro-Woolley X X X X X X X X X

Burlington X X X X X X X X X X

Mount Vernon X X X X X X X X X X

La Conner X X X X X X X X X



2

11

1 & 3

4

Saltwater beaches and historic towns, connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries, offer scenic views of farmlands, forests, and snow capped peaks of the Olympics and Cascades mountain ranges.

Places to Go / Things to Do1. Festivals and events: Holland Happening in Oak Harbor

(Dutch heritage celebration), Penn Cove Water Festival and Mussel Festival, Whidbey Island Garden Tour, Choochokam—Langley Festival of the Arts, Island County Fair in Langley, Langley Murder Mystery Weekend; annual Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey



4. Deception Pass Bridge and Deception Pass State Park/Cranberry Lake

5. Historic Oak Harbor/Marina

6. Windjammer Park and Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail (picnic grounds, trails)

7. PBY Naval Heritage Center/Whidbey Island Naval Air Station

8. Joseph Whidbey State Park

9. Historic Blue Fox Drive-In

10. Penn Cove (home to world famous Penn Cove mussels)

11. Fort Ebey State Park

12. Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve

13. Historic farmlands/Whidbey Island Farm Map/Tour

9 | Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way

14. Kettles Trails (walking, biking)

15. Whidbey Wine Trail/tasting rooms

16. Whidbey Art Trail/studio tours and art festivals

17. Historic Town of Coupeville/wharf

18. Island County Historical Museum

19. Fort Casey State Park/Admiralty Head Lighthouse

20. Keystone Spit/ferry terminal and Coupeville ferry crossing to Port Townsend (passengers/autos); on the route of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (extending across Washington and all the way to Glacier National Park in Montana)


22. Meerkerk Gardens

23. South Whidbey State Park/Smuggler’s Cove (Old Growth forest)

24. Freeland Park

25. Double Bluff County Park (off-leash dog park)

26. Historic Bayview Corner and farmers market

27. Historic Town of Langley

28. Clinton Ferry Terminal, waterfront park, and ferry crossing to Mukilteo (passengers/autos)

29. Cascadia Marine Trail (water route)


9 524

92

202

99

522

104

9527

531

525

525

532

9

96

530

119

534

538536

2

4055

5

5

522

99

19

9

3307

308

305

104

20

20

20

20

Lake Stevens

Snohomish

MarysvilleLangley

Mukilteo

Mill Creek

Arlington

EDMONDS

EVERETT

MOUNT VERNON

ANACORTES

COUPEVILLE

OAK HARBOR

Port Townsend

Stanwood

La Conner

Burlington

Sedro-WoolleyLyman

Lynnwood

BothellWoodinville

RedmondKirkland

ShorelinePoulsbo

CAMANOISLAND

WHIDBEYISLAND

FIDALGOISLAND

Freeland

ClintonBayviewCorner

4

3

78

5

69

11

21

22

2

228

29

15 16 3

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3

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1

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Oak Harbor X X X X X X X X X X X

Coupeville X X X X X X X X X X X

Greenbank X X X X X X X

Bayview Corner X X X X X X X X

Langley X X X X X X X X X X

Freeland X X X X X X X X X

Clinton X X X X X X X X



1. Festivals and events: Snohomish Wine Festival, Sorticulture—Everett Garden Arts Festival, Everett’s Colors of Freedom 4th of July Celebration, Kla Ha Ya Days in Snohomish, Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, various rodeos, and more


3. Unique cities and towns with walkable historic districts,

museums, examples of Northwest and Coastal Salish Native American art and other arts, cultural, and recreation opportunities: Mukilteo and Everett (marine activities, wildlife/birds/whales and marine life watching); Snohomish (National Historic District, state/national historic registers, and “Antique Capital of the Northwest”)

4. Mukilteo to Clinton Ferry/Ferry Terminal 5. Historic Mukilteo Lighthouse and Park and Mukilteo 6. Future of Flight Aviation Center, Boeing Tour, Museum of

Flight Restoration Center, Historic Flight Education Center, and Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field/Mukilteo

7. Japanese Gulch and Big Gulch Trail systems in Mukilteo 8. Forest Park in Everett 9. Everett Performing Arts Center 10. Comcast Arena: Community Ice Rink, Concerts,

Performances, Rodeo, Circus, and other events 11. Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett 12. Jetty Island Park in Everett 13. North and South View Parks: Marine View Drive in Everett 14. Everett Aquasox Baseball 15. Port Gardner Bay/Everett Marina, Farmers Market, and

Music at the Pier concert series

16. Schack Art Center in Everett 17. Spencer Island Park near Everett 18. Hibulb Cultural Center, Tulalip Tribes 19. Snohomish River and Valley (extensive historic and

recreational opportunities such as hot air ballooning, scenic flights, and skydiving out of Harvey Field at Snohomish Airport)


21. Blackman House Museum in Snohomish 22. Pilchuck Park in Snohomish 23. Flowing Lake Park in Snohomish 24. Evergreen State Fair/Fairgrounds in Monroe

(events year-round) 25. Lake Tye Park in Monroe (water sports such as boating and

wakeboarding and various special events year-round) 26. Skykomish River Centennial Park/Skykomish River and

Valley (extensive recreation opportunities including river and water sports, rafting, boating, fishing, etc.) in Monroe

27. Alderleaf Wilderness College and Vaux’s Swifts (largest

roost in America) in Monroe 28. Western Heritage Center in Monroe 29. Evergreen Speedway in Monroe 30. Reptile Zoo (just east of Monroe) 31. Tiny Church Wayside Chapel (Pause Rest and Worship stop

open to all, located one mile west of Sultan)

1 | Snohomish River Valley

SPECIAL PLACES/INTRINSIC QUALITIES NAT

URA

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ARC

HA

EOLO

GICA

L

HIS

TORI

C

CULT

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RECR

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URA

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ARC

HA

EOLO

GICA

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CULT

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SCEN

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1. Festivals and events: Sultan Shindig, Gold Dust Days in Goldbar, Index Art Festival, Sky Valley Farm Festival, Return of the Salmon Celebration, and more

2. Surrounding national forest lands (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

NF and Okawen NF) and recreational opportunities (walking, hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife/bird watching, snowmobiling in select areas, and more)

3. Watch whitewater kayakers and rafters in Class 5 rapids at Milepost 34 or head out for your own rafting and kayaking excursions on the Skykomish River

4. Skykomish River and Valley: river access, wildlife/bird

watching, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and more 5. Small, historic towns of Sultan (historic downtown with

visitor center and museum, Grow Washington local store), Startup, Gold Bar, Index (interpretive center), Baring (store in historic building), Grotto, and Skykomish (historic town center and miniature railroad)


7. Osprey Park in Sultan with wetlands, riparian eco-system and salmon spawning along one-mile river walk, trails, nature, restrooms and more

8. Sportsmen Park and nearby Wallace River Salmon Hatchery

in Sultan (river and fishing access, picnicking, and more) 9. Waterfalls: Wallace Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Canyon Falls,

Eagle Falls, Alpine Falls, Deception Falls, and others (for a closer look at Bridal Veil Falls, visitors can hike the Lake Serene Trail, following spur trails to viewing deck)

10. Wallace Falls State Park (near Gold Bar with seven-mile loop trail offering panoramic views from the top of the 265’ falls )

11. Pickett Interpretive Museum in Index (mining, quarrying,

logging and area’s natural disasters are featured)


13. Doolittle Park in Index 14. Wild Sky Wilderness Area (north of Index and Skykomish

in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) 15. Heybrook Historic Fire Lookout Station (strenuous hike

to lookout structure; trailhead is two miles east of steel bridge across Skykomish River on north side of SR 2)

16. Barclay Creek Trail (north on Barclay Creek Road #6024

at Baring) 17. Old Cascade Scenic Highway (13.3 mile side loop route,

from Money Creek Bridge to Stevens Pass Ski Area) 18. Iron Goat Interpretive Site/Trail (SR 2 Milepost 58.3, rest

stop with short and long trail options, historic caboose and 1892 remnant rail line and interpretation)

19. Historic Wellington Town Site 20. Cascade Tunnel (longest railroad tunnel in the US) 21. Winter recreation: snowboarding and downhill skiing at

Stevens Pass Ski and Snowboard Resort with 1,125 skiable acres and 1,800 vertical feet, ten chair lifts, three day lodges, snow play area, and night skiing; mountain bike trails in the summer (Stevens Pass Bike Park) and hiking trails with connection to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

22. Cross-country skiing at Stevens Pass Nordic Center 23. Coles Corner (from here, either proceed east on SR 2 to

Leavenworth, or take the back road, SR 207, through Plain, which also leads to Leavenworth)

2 | Stevens Pass Greenway


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3 | Leavenworth/ Cascade Foothills


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1. Festivals and events: Taste of Leavenworth, Maifest in Leavenworth, Leavenworth Bird Fest, Leavenworth Wine Walk and Wine Tasting Festival, Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, Cashmere Founders’ Days, Kinderfest, 4th of July Celebration, Chelan County Fair, Bike & Brew Festival, Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, Oktoberfest, Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth (nationally recognized and acclaimed), Ice Fest, Leavenworth Art in the Park (Pacific Northwest’s longest continually-running outdoor art show), Wenatchee River Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, and more

2. Lake Wenatchee/Plain/Leavenworth Mini-Loop Route (Follow 207 and Chumstick Highway) a. Camping, fishing, trails/hiking, boating, picnicking and other activities at Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, Wenatchee Ridge, and surrounding areas

b. Lake Wenatchee State Park: cross-country skiing, fishing, camping, and more c. Soapstone Park/geologic history d. Sugarloaf Peak Fire Lookout station e. Scenic views and overlooks throughout the mini-loop


4. Scottish Lakes High Camp (skiing, showshoeing,

snowboarding, hiking, fishing, cabins/lodging) 5. Recreation opportunities in the surrounding national

forest lands (Okanogan-Wenatchee NF) and other public lands, including camping at Tumwater, Soda Springs, and many other campgrounds; destination for rock climbing; picnicking at the Swift Water wayside and many other sites; wildlife/bird watching; snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing; and 800 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking (Freund Canyon is ranked as one of the best mountain biking trails in the world; Devil’s Gulch)



8. Bavarian Leavenworth with many cultural, historic (Upper

Valley Museum), and recreational activities and events year-round, as well as art galleries, agritourism/culinary, shopping, and more (be sure to see the only Nutcracker Museum in the Americas with one of the earliest dated nutcrackers on display)

9. Leavenworth Art Walk and Garden Tour 10. Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth 11. Icicle Junction Activities Center in Leavenworth 12. Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course and other golfing

opportunities in Leavenworth and surrounding area 13. Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery 14. Outdoor Summer Theater under the stars in Leavenworth 15. Leavenworth Waterfront Park/interpretive walk and birding 16. Leavenworth Ski Hill 17. Peshastin/Dryden/Peshastin Pinnacles State Park 18. Cashmere Mission District and Cottage Avenue

Historic District 19. Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village/Chelan County

Historical Society 20. Aplets and Cotlets® treats and candy-making tours

in Cashmere


4 | Wenatchee/ Columbia River Valley


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1. Festivals and events: Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, Northwest Mariachi Festival, Fiestas Mexicanas in Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley Street Rods and Apple Run Car Show, Chrysler Antique Car Show, Wings and Wheels Festival (Spirit of Wenatchee/Miss Veedol replica plane on display), and more

2. Agritourism and culinary tourism opportunities: fruit industry of North Central Washington, farm and fruit stands and tours of orchards and vineyards, wineries and wine tasting, farm-to-table/fresh local foods, farmers markets

3. Historic Downtown Wenatchee/National Historic District and Nationally Designated Main Street Community, Walking Tour and Art on the Avenues including sculpture gardens; also xeriscape gardens along the Apple Capital Loop Trail

4. Pybus Market in Wenatchee 5. Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail/Wenatchee

Riverfront Park/Walla Walla Point Park 6. Wenatchee Confluence State Park at the Columbia and

Wenatchee River confluence 7. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway 8. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center 9. Bridge of Friendship Garden (East Wenatchee) 10. Columbia River Bridge (Old Wenatchee Bridge) 11. Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball 12. Wenatchee Foothills trail system 13. Ohme Gardens 14. Ice Age Floods Geological Trail (self-driving tour) 15. Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort 16. Rocky Reach Dam Visitor Center


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21. Antiques shopping in Cashmere 22. Cider Mill in Cashmere 23. Chelan County Fair in Cashmere 24. Mountain biking (Mission Ridge & Devil’s Gulch trails are

two of the top mountain biking destinations in the Pacific Northwest; trails start at the headwaters of Mission Creek near Cashmere)



5 | Lake Chelan Valley


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4 | Wenatchee/ Columbia River Valley


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17. David Thompson 1811 historic landing site at Rock Island 18. Rock Island Hydro Park 19. Lincoln Rock/Lincoln Rock State Park 20. Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center in Entiat 21. Entiat Park on Lake Entiat/Columbia River 22. Entiat Waterfront Trail/Water Access/Marina 23. Abby Dabby Park/Columbia River overlook 24. Entiat Fish Hatchery/Silver Falls (camping, short hike to falls) 25. Entiat River Valley trails and recreation (29 miles upvalley)

1. Festivals and events: Earth Day Fair (Chelan), Lake Chelan Nouveau Wine Release, Lake Chelan Spring Barrel Tasting, Manson Apple Blossom, Cruzin’ Chelan Muscle Car Show, Century Cycle Challenge, Manson 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, Lake Chelan Bach Fest, Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, Chelan Ridge Hawk Festival, Mahogany and Merlot Vintage Boat Fest, Hydrofest, Lake Chelan Crush Classic, Red Wine and Chocolate, Fall Barrel Tasting in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, Sailing Regatta, Shore to Shore Boston Marathon Qualifier, Winterfest Fire and Ice Celebration, Rodeo, and more


3. Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation

with 22 wineries and 3 tasting rooms 4. Lake Chelan (scenic beauty; recreation—water sports,

paddle boarding parasailing, flyboarding, boating, jet-skiing, sailing; and history/Discover Lake Chelan Historical Tour)

5. Diverse, year-round recreation opportunities throughout

Lake Chelan area public lands (local parks, state parks including Lake Chelan and 25 Mile Creek State Parks, state wildlife areas, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and North Cascades National Park complex for trails, access to backcountry, snowmobiling

6. Historic Downtown Chelan (Historic Ruby Theater, Campbell’s Resort history, National Main Street designation, downtown walking tour of Historic Chelan, and more)

7. Don Morse Memorial Park in Chelan and other city parks,

public beaches and marinas (Manson Bay, Lakeside Park, Chelan Riverwalk Park loop trail, and more)

8. Lake Chelan Valley Historical Society’s Museum and

rich history including the heritage of the Wapato and Colville Tribes

9. Lady of the Lake passenger ferry trip uplake from Chelan

(access to Stehekin with stops on the way)


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22. Beebe Bridge/Beebe Bridge Park 23. Chelan Falls Historic Powerhouse 24. McNeil Canyon Road (scenic drive) 25. Scenic view of Lake Chelan when coming in from the east

via Highway 97A

10. Uplake Places to Visit (by boat or floatplane): a. Historic Holden Village (retreat center/Holden Mine remediation) b. Lucerne Village (private community with public camping around Refrigerator Harbor; can walk around village) c. Domke Lake (pictographs, hiking, make reservations for camping) d. Stehekin (National Historic District with biking, hiking, sight- seeing/Rainbow Falls, horseback riding, Stehekin River fishing and rafting, and other recreational opportunities in the area and upvalley; can also hike into Stehekin via Cascade Pass/Pacific Crest Trail from Marblemount)




13. Manson Scenic Loop 14. Manson Village (artisan food and wine experience; Manson

Heritage Tree and other monuments) 15. Manson Lakefront Park & Marina 16. Chelan River Gorge and waterway/Reach One Trail 17. Chelan Butte (scenic area and air sports area that is home

to world championship hang-gliding and paragliding) 18. Lake Chelan Butte Trail and Lookout 19. Chelan Airport skydiving 20. Chelan Fish Hatchery/Interpretive Center 21. Beebe Springs Natural Area


1. Festivals and events: Winthrop Balloon Festival, Ride to Rendezvous Horseback & Wagon Ride, 49’er Days in Winthrop, Methow Valley Rodeo, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues, Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree, Methow Valley Chamber Music, Hydro Classic (Pateros), Winthrop Vintage Wheels Show, and more


3. Wells Dam Recreation Area on the Columbia River 4. Gateway to Okanogan Trails Scenic Byway and Coulee

Corridor National Scenic Byway 5. Columbia River/Methow River confluence/Lake Pateros 6. World famous salmon and steelhead fishing 7. Alta Lake/Alta Lake State Park 8. TwispWorks Arts and Heritage Resource Center (working

artist studios open Saturdays) and Confluence Gallery and Art Center in Twisp

9. Methow Valley Interpretive Center (Native American and

natural history in Twisp) 10. Twisp Farmers Market (one of Washington’s first) 11. Twisp Visitor Center 12. Winthrop Visitor Center 13. Winthrop Historic Western Town (experience the Spirit of the

Old West with false-front buildings and wooden sidewalks) 14. Shafer Museum housed in the historic Guy Waring Log

Cabin (built in 1879) 15. Methow River (easy, family-friendly river floats) 16. Many lakes (including Pearrygin Lake at Pearrygin Lake

State Park, Patterson Lake, Twin Lake and others)


18. North America’s largest Nordic ski trail network 19. Mountain biking trail networks for all levels, including

Starvation Mountain (24-mile single track mountain bike loop) and world-class hiking trails including wheelchair accessible areas and highly technical hikes

20. Falls Creek waterfalls (wheelchair accessible) 21. Pasayten Wilderness, Hart’s Pass (highest drivable point

in Washington), and Robinson Creek (trails, horse packing, and backpacking)

22. Lookout Mountain trails 23. Big Valley Recreation Area trails 24. Twisp River Recreation Area 25. Loup Loup Ski Bowl and mountain bike trail network 26. North Cascades smoke-jumper base (north of Twisp;

birthplace of smoke-jumping) 27. Unique bridges (SaTeekh Wa Bridge, Spring Creek Bridge,

Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge) 28. Fun Rock and Goat Wall rock climbing; access to Goat Wall

overlook/Goat Peak Lookout (out of Mazama) 29. Heli-skiing (out of Mazama) 30. Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail access near Mazama 31. Early Winters and Klipchuck Campgrounds; Cedar Creek Trail 32. Lone Fir campground/interpretive loop trail 33. Cutthroat Lake Trail 34. Washington Pass scenic overlook/Blue Lake Trailhead

6 | The Methow Valley


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1. Rainy Pass Travelers Rest/Rainy Lake Trail and Picnic Area (wheelchair accessible), Maple Pass/Lake Ann trail loop (one of the best hikes in Washington) and other trails

2. North Cascades National Park & Ross Lake National Recreation

Area (abundant recreation throughout the entire area) a. Canyon Creek Trail b. Ross Lake/overlooks c. Happy Creek Forest Walk d. Thunder Knob Trail/Park Creek Trail e. Diablo Lake Trail/overlook f. Colonial Creek/Thunder Woods Nature Trail g. Diablo Dam/Diablo Lake/lake tours h. North Cascades Institute/Environmental Learning Center i. Gorge Creek Falls/trail/viewpoint j. Newhalem/Skagit boat, lake and dam tours k. Newhalem area trails/Newhalem Creek/Goodall Creek l. North Cascades National Park Visitor Center (Newhalem) m. North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center (Marblemount/backcountry permits)

3. Historic Town of Marblemount/access to Cascade Pass 4. Tiny Church/Wildwood Chapel wayside near Marblemount,

Milepost 103.5 5. Rockport State Park/David Douglas Historical Marker 6. Howard Miller Steelhead Park 7. Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area & Interpretive Center/

Skagit Bald Eagle Festival


9. Concrete Heritage Museum 10. Baker Lake area and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

recreational opportunities 11. Baker River Hydroelectric Project/Visitor Center/Fish

Collection Facility (Puget Sound Energy Visitors Gallery) 12. Historic Henry Thompson Bridge 13. North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum 14. Hurn Field/elk viewing year-round 15. Skagit Wild and Scenic River 16. Cascades Trail/Historic Great Northern Railway Corridor 17. Rasar State Park

7 | North Cascades


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11. Little Mountain Park/trails, valley overlooks 12. History and museums: Sedro-Woolley Museum, Skagit

County Museum, La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Children’s Museum of Skagit County in Burlington; homelands of the Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Lummi, Swinomish, Samish, and Stillaguamish Tribes; many examples of Northwest/Coast Salish native art; annual Canoe Journey


14. Camano Island/Camano Island State Park 15. Padilla Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary Interpretive

Center (aquariums, trails, research reserve) and Padilla Bay Shore Trail

16. Swinomish Hat Pavilions in Swadabs Park 17. Rainbow Bridge 18. Bay View State Park/camping, beach, boat launch 19. Washington Park/trails, camping, boat launch 20. Mount Erie/trails, viewpoints 21. Anacortes Community Forestland/2,200 acres of trails,

lakes, fishing 22. WT Preston Snagboat and Maritime Museum, a National

Historic Landmark 23. Causland Memorial Park (on National Register of Historic

Places) and other historic Anacortes sites 24. Tommy Thompson Trail along Fidalgo Bay/interpretive

signs, seasonal guided history and nature walks; Guemes Channel Trail, various walking and biking routes/guides

25. Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Washington State Ferries, with

service (passengers/autos) to San Juan Islands and Canada

1. Festivals and events: Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Berry Dairy Days (Burlington), Loggerodeo (Sedro-Woolley), Highland Games, Skagit County Fair and Rodeo, Festival of Family Farms, Skagit River Salmon Festival, Northwest Arts Alive, Oyster Run, Anacortes Spring Wine Festival, Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Anacortes 4th of July Celebration, Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey, and more




5. Historic Northern State Recreation Area/ nature viewing and trails

6. North Cascades National Park Information Center/ ranger office (Sedro-Woolley)

7. Burlington-Skagit County Regional Byways Visitor Center 8. Skagit bloom fields (tulips, daffodils, irises) and Skagit Valley

Agricultural Scenic Corridor with talking fields, heritage barns, farm stands, farmers markets, u-pick fields and more

9. Skagit Master Gardener/

Native Plant Society Discovery Gardens 10. Scenic Chuckanut Drive/along farm, bay and mountainside

with access to Whatcom County


9 | Whidbey Scenic Isle Way


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1. Festivals and events: Holland Happening in Oak Harbor (Dutch heritage celebration), Penn Cove Water Festival and Mussel Festival, Whidbey Island Garden Tour, Choochokam—Langley Festival of the Arts, Island County Fair in Langley, Langley Murder Mystery Weekend; annual Northwest tribes’ Canoe Journey



4. Deception Pass Bridge and Deception Pass State Park/

Cranberry Lake 5. Historic Oak Harbor/Marina 6. Windjammer Park and Oak Harbor Waterfront Trail

(picnic grounds, trails) 7. PBY Naval Heritage Center/Whidbey Island Naval Air Station 8. Joseph Whidbey State Park 9. Historic Blue Fox Drive-In 10. Penn Cove (home to world famous Penn Cove mussels) 11. Fort Ebey State Park 12. Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve 13. Historic farmlands/Whidbey Island Farm Map/Tour 14. Kettles Trails (walking, biking) 15. Whidbey Wine Trail/tasting rooms 16. Whidbey Art Trail/studio tours and art festivals 17. Historic Town of Coupeville/wharf 18. Island County Historical Museum


27. Deception Pass and Deception Pass State Park/Campbell Lake/Rosario Beach


9 | Whidbey Scenic Isle Way


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19. Fort Casey State Park/Admiralty Head Lighthouse 20. Keystone Spit/ferry terminal and Coupeville ferry

crossing to Port Townsend (passengers/autos); on the route of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (extending across Washington and all the way to Glacier National Park in Montana)


22. Meerkerk Gardens 23. South Whidbey State Park/Smuggler’s Cove

(Old Growth forest) 24. Freeland Park 25. Double Bluff County Park (off-leash dog park) 26. Historic Bayview Corner and farmers market 27. Historic Town of Langley 28. Clinton Ferry Terminal, waterfront park, and ferry

crossing to Mukilteo (passengers/autos) 29. Cascadia Marine Trail (water route)

Transportation System Assessment 4

STEVENS PASS GREENWAYA designated National Scenic Byway

Introduction

Transportation System Assessment

All of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway routes are state highways, managed according to applicable standards, best practices, and policies by WSDOT. The entire journey around the Cascade Loop allows for safe and enjoyable travel for all types of vehicles (including larger recreational vehicles). WSDOT is responsible for over 7,000 miles of highway in Washington state, and the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, at 440 miles, makes up more than 5 percent of the total system. The highway routes in each Cascade Loop region are listed below.

Region 1 � State Route (SR) 525 from the Mukilteo ferry terminal to the junction with SR 526

� SR 526, also known as Interstate 5, from the junction with SR 526 to US Highway/SR 2 in the vicinity of Everett

� US Highway/SR 2 from the junction with Interstate 5 to Sultan

� US Highway/SR 2 is known as the Stevens Pass Greenway, a designated National Scenic Byway and Washington State Scenic and Recreational Highway, from Monroe to Peshastin

This chapter describes the transportation system of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, including management policies and practices by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and existing conditions for each highway route in the nine regions and opportunities for enhancing the multi-modal traveler experience, including promotion of side tour routes and improving conditions for bicycling throughout the Loop.

State Highway Management

Region 2 � US Highway/SR 2 from Sultan to Coles Corner (this is still part

of the Stevens Pass Greenway, a National Scenic Byway.)

Region 3 � US Highway/SR 2 from Coles Corner to Cashmere (Stevens

Pass Greenway continues in this region to Peshastin)

� US Highway/SR 97 overlaps with US Highway/SR 2 from the point where the two highways join between Peshastin and Dryden. This overlap continues east, beyond the Cascade Loop.

Region 4 � US Highway/SR 2 (also US Highway 97), from the eastern

outskirts of Cashmere to the junction with US Highway 97 Alternative (SR 97A) just northwest of Wenatchee

� US Highway/SR 97A north to the junction of SR 971—US Highway/SR 97A extends north from northwest of Wenatchee along the west side of the Columbia River and is the designated

route of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, while US Highway/SR 97 (also US Highway 2) extends north along the east side of the Columbia River

Region 5 � US Highway/SR 97A from the junction with

SR 971 to the merge point with US Highway/SR 97 north of Chelan

Region 6 � US Highway/SR 97 from the merge point with

US 97A north of Chelan to the junction with SR 153 at Pateros

� SR 153 from Pateros to the junction with SR 20, south of Twisp

� SR 20 from the junction with SR 153 at milepost 204.09 to milepost 170, east of Mazama

� SR 20 is the North Cascades Scenic Highway, a designated National Forest Scenic Byway and a Washington State Scenic and Recreational Highway from milepost 204.09 to milepost 66.29 (at Sedro-Woolley)

Region 7 � SR 20 from milepost 170 east of Mazama

to milepost 78 (approximate) in the vicinity of Hamilton (part of the designated North Cascades Scenic Highway)

Region 8 � SR 20 from milepost 78 (approximate) in

the vicinity of Hamilton, continuing west

past Interstate 5, and turning south at Sharpes Corner to the end of Fidalgo Island and the start of the Deception Pass Bridge (designated as the North Cascades Scenic Highway from milepost 78 to milepost 66.29 at Sedro-Woolley)

Region 9 � This region includes SR 20 from the

Deception Pass Bridge to the Keystone Ferry Terminal and SR 525 from the junction with SR 20 south to Clinton Ferry Terminal and continuing on the Marine Highway Route 525 across the ferry passage to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal.

� This route is part of the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, a designated Washington Scenic and Recreational Highway/Scenic Byway.

� Washington State Ferries (WSF) operates the marine highway passage from Clinton to Mukilteo. See more about WSF later in this chapter. All marine highway routes in Washington are officially designated Washington State Scenic and Recreational Highways/Scenic Byways.

The maps on pages 4-6 and 4-7 depict the Washington State Scenic Byways map for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway (available on the WSDOT website www.wsdot.gov) and the state map of milepost locations for the state highway system. For more information about the Washington State Recreational and Scenic Highway System, which includes scenic byways in Washington, refer to Chapters 1, 5 and 8.

CHELANThe climate is excellent for growing grapes in this designated American Viticultural Area.

C A S C A D E L O O P S C E N I C H I G H W A YPreserving the Unique Qualities & Enhancing the Visitor Experience of the Cascade Loop

WSDOT is the managing agency for state highway routes in Washington, and all roads of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway are state highways under the jurisdiction of WSDOT. Washington State Ferries (WSF) is responsible for marine highway routes that ferries travel—providing passenger and auto service.

WSDOT has extensive management policies and practices in place to ensure that the state highway system is maintained as a safe, effective, and functional network, while

WSDOT Management and Washington’s Transportation Plan

also enhancing quality of life and protecting the environment. The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway is located within the Northwest and North Central WSDOT regions.

WSDOT manages the state system in accordance with the Washington Transportation Plan (WTP), 2030, which is the overall system plan for multi-modal transportation. The 2030 WTP plan was adopted in 2010, and WSDOT is currently working on the 2035 WTP update.

The WTP is based on six transportation policy goals established by the state legislature:

� ECONOMIC VITALITY: To promote and develop transportation systems that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of people and goods to ensure a prosperous economy.

� PRESERVATION: To maintain, preserve, and extend the life and utility of prior investments in transportation systems and service.

� SAFETY: To provide for and improve the safety and security of transportation customers and the transportation system.

� MOBILITY: To improve the predictable movement of goods and people throughout Washington state.

� ENVIRONMENT: To enhance Washington’s quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities, and protect the environment.

� STEWARDSHIP: To continuously improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the transportation system.

Other focus areas of WSDOT include practical design, performance and accountability, and sustainable transportation. WSDOT views sustainable transportation as a durable, adaptable, and integrated statewide transportation system that supports Washington’s economy, preserves the environment, and enhances communities. The WSDOT system is a strategically managed and operated system that meets society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

US 2WSDOT crews work to replace the culverts near Snohomish

Preserving the Unique Qualities & Enhancing the Visitor Experience of the Cascade LoopC O R R I D O R M A N A G E M E N T P L A N

Bicycling Around the Entire Cascade Loop Scenic Highway

Consistent with these policies and its own objectives to provide a range of green travel options for visitors, the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway seeks to work with partners and WSDOT to create a system of bicycling routes and trails around the entire Loop, which will be implemented over time. This system is envisioned as a series of bicycling shoulders of sufficient width and shared use paths within the right-of-way, as well as side tours to serve bicyclists all around the Loop. In many areas, bicycling facilities already exist, and bicyclists travel the Loop either by traveling the main route or using side routes.

State Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning and Priorities

The Washington State Department of Transportation adopted the Washington State Bicycle Facilities and Pedestrian Walkways Plan for 2008-2027. The purpose of the plan is to identify strategies for:

� Improving connections

� Increasing coordination

� Reducing traffic congestion

The plan calls for an assessment of statewide bicycle and pedestrian transportation needs and satisfies the federal requirement for long-range pedestrian and bicycle planning. The plan identifies goals and policies, including the need to improve conditions for bicycling and walking statewide, decrease collisions by five percent per year for the next twenty years and double the level of bicycling and walking in Washington in the next 20 years. Key objectives include:

� PRESERVATION: Ensure no net loss in pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility.

� SAFETY: Target Safety investments toward known risk factors for pedestrians and bicyclists.

� MOBILITY: Increase bicycling and pedestrian transportation choices.

� ENVIRONMENT: Walking and bicycling will be part of Washington State’s strategy to improve public health and address climate change.

� STEWARDSHIP: Improve the quality of the transportation system by improving transportation access for all types of pedestrians and bicyclists to the greatest extent possible.

BICYCLING THE BYWAYA great way to see the Cascade Loop up close


Safety AssessmentThe Cascade Loop Scenic Highway includes multiple state highway routes. Highway safety is an important concern for local and state officials as well as residents and travelers of the byway. Statistics related to accidents and collisions are collected, recorded, and analyzed regularly by WSDOT, in cooperation with the Washington State Patrol and others.

In a review of accident and collision data collected for the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway routes, there do not appear to be specific problem areas that need attention. WSDOT is continually evaluating traffic management and safety improvement needs on these routes and programming capital improvements for funding on an as needed basis. For example, WSDOT has been specifically evaluating some of the more congested segments of routes around the Cascade Loop (such as US Highway/SR 2 west of Sultan and in the Wenatchee vicinity, and US Highway/SR 20 from Sedro Woolley to Whidbey Island), to determine if additional improvements are needed to maintain safety.

Over the past ten years some of the typical causes for accidents and collisions have included:

� Motorists exceeding reasonably safe speeds, particularly at night and during snow and ice events

� Incidents at intersections and driveways

� Incidents with wildlife, including deer, elk, bear, (particularly throughout SR 153)

� Driver-caused incidents, including impairment, failing to grant right of way to other vehicles, driver distractions, and following too closely.

Traffic congestion is fairly minimal around the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway except in some of the more urban areas. Even in these areas, congestion is not typically at a level that causes significant delay or inconvenience. On Sunday evenings, particularly during the summer, traffic levels on US Highway/SR 2 and US Highway SR 20 increase and there can be some rolling slow-downs periodically as people return from the mountains to the urban areas of the Puget Sound Region. This can also occur on weekends in the winter as skiers and snowboards return via US Highway/SR 2.

Cascade Loop Scenic Highway routes are well-maintained year-round in accordance with required standards, except for a portion of US Highway/SR 20, which is closed for the winter (see page 4-20). Motorists who follow speed limits and cautionary signs along the routes will find that the highways are some of the best roads for travel in the region, including the mountainous sections.

Functional Classifications of the Highway RoutesFunctional classification is the categorization of highways and streets according to the character of traffic service that they are intended to provide. Classifications are referenced for transportation planning and design purposes. Basic to this process is the recognition that most travel involves movement through a network of roads. Comprehensive transportation planning, an integral part of economic and social development, uses functional classification to determine how travel can be channelized in a logical and efficient manner within the network. Functional classifications help to define how each particular route within the network should serve the expected flow of trips.

NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY (SR 20)WSDOT clears the highway of snow and debris


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7.54(82) 68.94

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(20)

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(241)

20.92

(539)

21.49(174) 23.38

(205)

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(5) 0.41

(110) 7.80

(26) 0.00

(5) 11.64,

(270) 2.40

(27) 0.00,(270) 2.27

(5) 19.98

(22) 0.70

(225) 0.00

(21) 7.62

(2) 84.75

(22) 8.60,(223) 0.00

(7) 26.99,(161) 0.00

(2) 64.63

(2) 56.76

(2) 40.72

(9) 66.88

(9) 98.17

(6) 24.63

(4) 45.69

(5) 2.25

(5) 7.50,

(5) 20.78

(5) 57.13

(5) 85.51

(5) 81.68, (507) 0.00

(5) 71.05

(122) 7.88

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Reg. Bdy.

Reg. Bdy.

Reg. Bdy.

(97) 2.31

(12) 80.28

(7) 16.76

(82) 96.59

(821) 4.82

Reg. Bdy.

(24) 65.20

(170) 3.68

(28) 22.03

(97) 33.52

(97) 1.89

(5)14.21,

(12)46.62

(821) 0.00

(503) 1.02

(260) 0.00(17) 14.69

(285) 0.00

State Line

State Line

State Line

State Line

State Line

State Line

(127) 0.03

State Line

State Line

(182) 0.00

(240) 0.00

(171) 0.00(281) 0.00

State Line

State Line

State Line

(4) 55.24,

State Line

(107) 0.00

(401) 0.00

State Line

State Line

State Line

(128) 0.00

(27) 0.00B

(26) 60.95

(28) 0.00B

(124) 0.00

(503) 31.31

(4) 61.12,

(21) 24.47

(27) 2.27B,

(411) 1.79

(26) 31.17

(26) 1.02,

(17) 96.57

(97) 76.36(131) 0.00

(12) 86.88,

(290) 8.43

(9) 79.41,(9) 84.01,(542) 9.98

(112) 0.00

(115) 0.00

(109) 1.79

(100) 4.68(101) 0.00

(409) 0.00

(506) 1.06

(506) 0.00

(433) 0.00

(97) 0.00B

(197) 3.18

(970) 2.69

(150) 9.08

(150) 0.30

Co./Reg.

(194) 0.00

(193) 0.51(263) 0.00

(129) 0.00State Line

(125) 0.00

(730) 0.00

State Line

(82) 75.37

(82) 114.40,(397) 0.00

(128) 0.51

(127) 9.83

(231) 28.11

(21) 37.78

(24) 79.64

(2) 163.23

(24) 30.76(12) 97.69

(278) 5.50(27) 68.95

(193) 3.09

(263) 9.24

(26) 25.32

(224) 0.00B

(22) 22.96,(241) 0.00

(207) 4.38

(5) 265.98

(2) 119.92

(11) 14.11

(270) 9.89

(285) 0.28

(108) 4.18

(123) 7.50

(17) 95.06

(26) 60.80

(240) 36.05

(17) 98.30

(12) 66.54(5) 68.41,

(2) 139.85

(31) 26.79

(90) 33.29

(90) 52.61(906) 0.30(90) 52.26

(90) 85.86(970) 0.00

(82) 19.88

(24) 43.79

(243) 0.00

(24) 43.98

(17) 21.80(26) 40.58

(17) 39.77

(17) 35.60

(28)29.77,

(2) 188.62

(2) 193.32,(155) 0.00

(2) 207.78

(25) 23.44

(21) 92.43

(28) 79.02

(21) 50.35

(23) 44.29

(26) 96.88

(26) 70.59

(27) 36.87

(27) 48.50

(274) 1.92

(23) 39.39

(90) 257.69

(2) 261.09,

(2) 266.86(231) 31.08(2) 263.97, (2) 291.18

(2) 297.25

(2) 315.47

(2) 321.29

(2) 334.38,

(5) 221.07

(20) 41.90

(20) 59.54

(5) 231.21,(11) 0.00

(5) 242.63

(5) 254.82(5) 256.22

(546) 8.02

(5) 276.56

(82) 34.77

(97) 61.44(22) 4.00,

(22) 29.76

(22) 36.52

(125) 6.15

(197) 0.42State Line

(14) 75.87(14) 66.41

(141) 4.69

(14) 63.48

(410) 69.21

(503) 27.87

(14) 21.77

(500) 5.96,(503) 0.00

(12) 21.30

(110SP) 7.80

(105) 30.28

(100) 2.95,

(20) 47.89,

(28) 4.25B,

(241) 24.09

(241) 24.35

(24) 44.13,

(24) 38.71,

(82) 50.11,

(281) 2.65,

(195SP) 0.06

(502) 0.00

(504) 51.81

(21) 160.10

(21) 106.65

(195) 0.06,

(195) 0.00B

(542) 57.26

(90) 206.86

(395) 96.13

(90) 245.27(23) 43.69,

(90) 239.11

(195) 66.22

(90) 272.81(195) 95.99

(2) 286.87,(90) 281.30

(2) 292.86,

(292) 5.91,

(20) 390.41,(31) 0.00

(20) 383.12

(25) 81.07,

(231) 62.14

(231) 44.70(291) 33.09

(262) 24.22(17) 40.78,

(17) 28.37,

(395) 61.24

(260) 7.53,(260) 24.73

(260) 37.19(261) 29.39

(26) 82.99,

(261) 35.83(127) 27.05

(195) 47.99

(195) 37.81,(272) 0.00

(12) 422.01

(12) 382.26

(12) 388.61

(12) 359.55

(395) 13.05

(82) 132.60

(14) 180.77

(225) 11.32

(243) 28.26

(20) 302.65

(20) 297.23Co. / Reg. Bdy.

(97) 336.48

(20) 232.81

(97) 253.38

(97) 246.97

(150) 12.06

(971) 15.02

(97) 213.00

(10) 88.29,

(823) 4.74

(82) 37.84,

(82) 58.51,(224) 9.90,

(397) 11.23

(240) 43.17

(12) 295.30

(124) 44.98

(14) 83.53,(14) 63.52,

(141) 29.30

(410) 42.76

(410) 65.75

(542) 22.91

(112) 61.08

(109) 40.46

(101) 87.66

(105) 48.76

(105) 25.72

(101) 67.18

(101) 28.89

(205) 27.05

(505) 0.00

(27) 87.70,

(542) 14.57

(20) 145.46

(100) 0.06,

(173) 10.80

(504) 14.72 Co. Bdy.(504) 46.82

(90)264.30,

(902) 12.36

(119) 10.93

(103) 19.95

(110) 11.10

(2) 119.67,

(21) 11.64,

(505) 19.29

(2) 187.40,

(547) 10.79

(261) 62.83

(90) 137.67

(291) 11.07

(539) 15.16

(20) 116.49

(21) 191.34 (25) 121.23

(17) 119.86

(17) 136.03(17) 135.84,(173) 0.00

(97) 163.72

(90) 110.86

(90) 137.43

(90) 191.89

(281) 10.55

(261) 15.20

(261) 15.04

(127) 10.00

(27) 15.08,

(290) 18.38

(206) 15.39

(211) 15.19(20) 421.48

(21) 162.66

(20) 162.54

(20) 157.40

(20) 148.12

(539) 12.54

(14) 167.25

(14) 152.24

(123) 0.00B(12) 138.60Reg. Bdy.

(12) 151.15

(706) 13.64

(505) 17.27

(501) 11.40

(14) 14.63,

(141SP) 6.85

(109SP) 3.61

(109SP) 1.79

(100SP) 2.95

(100SP) 3.03

(20SP) 47.89

(174) 19.55,

(90) 137.80,

(101) 15.75,

(503SP) 31.31(503SP) 39.73

(195SP) 0.60

(281SP) 2.65

(195) 19.96,

(194) 21.01, (195) 21.64

(395) 66.30

(260) 39.49,

(240) 20.48,

(97) 240.15,(97A) 239.64

(97) 235.10,

(20SP) 55.67

(101) 83.17,

(101) 89.02,

(14) 101.02,

(260) 25.01,

(97A) 223.18

(101) 246.25

(101) 193.12

(101) 203.86

(97A) 199.83

(123) 16.34,

(82) 112.79,

(82) 131.59,

(12) 434.00,

(395) 229.64

(395) 241.89

(395) 270.26

(395) 183.69

(97) 260.42,

(90) 175.99,(90) 149.78,

(90) 221.96,(90) 220.78,

(26) 116.92,

(90) 270.55,

(231) 45.42,

(395) 164.50

(395) 190.58

(395) 202.43(231) 75.16,

(20) 354.33,

(20) 342.08,(20) 305.24,

(12) 357.59,

(12) 335.92,

(14) 101.44,

(101) 148.03

(101) 184.62

(101) 144.35

(101) 151.43

(110SP) 10.47

(105SP) 34.34

(105SP) 30.28

(174SP) 19.55

(101AR) 10.04

(395) 241.61,

(101) 242.61,

(97A) 230.43,

Internat'l Bdy.Internat'l Bdy.Internat'l Bdy.Internat'l Bdy.Internat'l Bdy.Internat'l Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

(41) 0.41 State Line

(4) 62.28, (5) 39.89

(5) 77.97, (6) 51.37

(101) 58.48, (6) 0.00

(2) 334.51 State Line,

(7) 0.45, (508) 32.84

(9) 40.03, (534) 5.08

(9) 49.80, (538) 3.67

(9) 55.89, (20) 64.81

(9) 57.17, (20) 66.08

(4) 4.75, (401) 12.13

(4) 35.53, (409) 3.84

(5) 63.42, (505) 2.96

(97) 12.67, (142) 35.29

Internat'l Boundary

(82) 30.38, (823) 0.02

(28) 46.63, (282) 0.00

(2) 221.54, (21) 91.78

(21) 55.83, (28) 93.72

(17) 7.43, (395) 45.89

(82) 3.27, (821) 25.21

(90) 54.70, (906) 2.65

(5) 250.75, (11) 21.28

(5) 21.09, (503) 54.38

(432) 6.10, (433) 0.94

(5) 60.91, (506) 11.53

(5) 49.84, (411) 13.48

(101) 59.67, (105) 0.00

(12) 202.75, (82) 31.38

(101) 13.38,(103) 0.00

(28) 42.09, (283) 14.86

(23) 66.01, (28) 118.12

(195) 62.64, (271) 8.48

(21) 92.95, (174) 40.66

(17) 50.75, (90) 179.45

(24) 30.45, (241) 25.21

(97) 292.32, (215) 6.24

(22) 35.74, (221) 26.07

(12) 307.46, (730) 6.08

(530) 67.71, (20) 97.69

(5) 276.21, (548) 13.85

(112) 23.12, (113) 9.98

(109) 16.11,(115) 2.28

(97) 291.24, (155) 80.47

(182) 15.19, (12) 291.67

(17) 112.22, (172) 35.08

(20) 261.95, (97) 314.83

(20) 233.31, (97) 286.18(20) 204.09, (153) 30.74

(17) 144.29, (97) 265.21

(97A) 234.20,(150) 8.25

(12) 202.52, (823) 0.00B

(124) 34.86, (125) 23.67

(26) 133.53, (195) 38.58

(97) 149.69, (970) 10.31

(10) 104.45, (97) 136.61

(90) 106.06, (97) 133.90

(155SP) 80.52, (215) 5.05

(90) 151.74, (281SP) 4.34

(12) 185.46, (410) 116.37

(155) 80.15, (155SP) 80.15

10

70

20

10

80

10

10

40

10

30

10

90

10

10

80

60

40

110

100

240

210160

280

330

280

140

(155)(174)25.71,

Co. Bdy.

Co. Bdy.

Co. Bdy.

Co. Bdy.

(8) 6.03

(4) 8.91

(5) 20.29 Co. Bdy.

(9)90.36,

(27)86.62(2)251.55

(7) 16.82

State Line

State Line

(224) 0.06B

(14) 6.09,

(432) 0.00

(5)226.40,

(12) 38.84

(101) 9.41

(128) 0.39

(395) 18.93 (397) 7.24

(117) 1.40

(9) 97.50,

(17) 95.99

(26) 42.58

(182) 6.04

(240) 34.87(182) 3.83,

(182) 4.95,

(543) 1.09

(223) 3.81

(171) 3.82

(128) 2.24

(27) 52.98

(2) 250.76,

(20) 436.91

(503) 8.09

(507) 5.44

(82) 26.59,

(500) 6.98,

Co. / Bdy.

(2) 127.83,

(101) 0.46,

(21) 106.66

(100) 0.00,

(395) 82.14

(90) 255.29

(90) 299.82

(90)289.87,(2) 220.88,

(395) 55.08

(12) 434.19

(129) 42.55

(195) 22.39

(17) 53.91,

(2) 189.08,

(97) 234.87

(82) 82.34.

(240) 32.02(395) 20.59

(12) 294.70

(205) 26.59

(500) 20.37

(530) 52.75

(5) 230.16,

(502) 7.56,

(155) 28.36

(101) 11.57

(904) 16.96

(173) 11.99

(903) 10.06

(174) 19.69

(272) 19.23

(272) 16.78

(28) 131.18

(501) 19.88

(205) 30.90, (500) 4.76

(141SP) 4.69

(82) 102.53,

(101AR) 9.41

(821) 0.29,

(101) 83.72B,(12) 0.00

(101) 76.96,

(395) 239.14

(395) 18.26,

(182) 12.26,

(260) 33.06,

(12) 432.62,

(90) 279.35,

(12) 390.84B,

(97A) 235.03,

Internat'l BdyInternat'l Bdy.

Co. / Reg. Bdy.

(544)9.01

(2) 118.92, (285) 5.04

(5) 275.15 (543) 0.00

(432) 7.62, (411) 0.00

(17) 67.64, (282) 4.92

(17) 75.27, (28) 52.89

(12) 10.43, (107) 7.97

(5) 36.97, (432) 10.33

(12) 115.01, (131)2.07

(90) 282.25, (290) 0.07(2) 283.22, (90) 277.73

(2) 104.72, (97) 185.02

(97) 291.48, (155) 79.91

(281SP) 4.21, (283) 0.00

(182) 14.37, (395) 22.72,

9010

20

20

10

(395)167.45,(395SP)167.45

(395SP) 162.03

(2) 296.81,(395SP) 165.47

(213) 0.35 (97) 278.48, (213) 0.00

30

10

10

10

(27) 15.33,(272) 16.52

SEEPUGETSOUNDMAP

³

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONGIS and Roadway Data OfficeSTATE BASE MAP May 2013

\\wsdot.loc\hq\Group\GRDO\GIS_Branch\GIS_Carto\ProductsStandard\MilepostMap\Products\MilepostMapState2012.pdf

10 0 10 20 30 40 50 MILES

10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 KILOMETERS

MilepostsWASHINGTON STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

2012Milepost Data from 2012 State Highway Log

(State Highway System as of December 31, 2012)

FUT 395 is part of the future alignment of US Highway 395. It is assigned a Related Roadway Type of Spur, but is signed in thefield as Future. Once complete, this section will become US Highway 395 Mainline.


For the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, four functional classifications are applicable and shown on the map on the following page. These classifications call for design standards that can serve the amount of traffic expected. For the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, the four classifications of highway are suitable for carrying traffic related to commerce and daily transportation needs, as well as traffic related to tourism. These classifications are described below starting with corridors that carry the most traffic to those that carry lesser levels of traffic on a regular basis.

INTERSTATES—The highest classification of Arterials designed and constructed with mobility and long-distance travel in mind. Since its inception in the 1950s, the interstate system has provided a superior network of limited access, divided highways offering high levels of mobility while linking major urban areas of the United States. Interstate 5 is classified as “Interstate” throughout Washington, including the short segment that is part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway.

OTHER FREEWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS—These are roadways that look very similar to Interstates with directional travel lanes that are usually separated by some type of physical barrier, and with access and egress points that are limited to on- and off-ramp locations or a very limited number of at-grade intersections. Like Interstates, these roadways are designed and constructed to maximize their mobility function, and abutting

land uses are not directly served by them. SR 526, and portions of US Highway/SR 2 (from the I-5 junction to southwest of Snohomish and from the US Highway/SR 97 junction to Wenatchee are classified as “Other Freeways and Expressways.” Portions of US Highway/SR 97 from Chelan to the junction with SR 153, as well as SR 20 from just west of I-5 to Sharpes Corner also have this classification.

OTHER PRINCIPAL ARTERIALS—These roadways serve the major centers of metropolitan areas, provide a high degree of mobility, and can also provide mobility through rural areas. On the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, US Highway/SR 2 from southwest of Snohomish to the junction with US Highway/SR 97 has this classification. A portion of US Highway/SR 97 also has this classification north of Chelan and south of the SR 153 junction. Segments of SR 20 from the SR 9 junction to just west of I-5 and from Sharpes Corner across Fidalgo Island and south across Whidbey Island, and SR 525 from the SR 20 junction south to Clinton and from Mukilteo to the SR 526 junction also are classified as “Principal Arterials.”

MINOR ARTERIALS—These roadways serve geographic areas with less population and traffic than Arterials counterparts, and they offer connectivity to the higher system of Arterials. On the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, US Highway/SR 97A from Wenatchee north to the junction with US Highway/SR 97, SR 153, and SR 20 from the SR 153 junction to the SR 9 junction are classified as “Minor Arterials.”

Highways ofStatewide Significance

Highways of Statewide Significance connect major communities throughout the state of Washington. The map on page 4-11 shows Highways of Statewide Significance. With the exception of the SR 153 segment, all highway segments on the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway are designated as Highways of Statewide Significance.


Highway Characteristics and Conditions for Each Route

Existing and planned conditions for each of the state highway routes that comprise the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway are described below. Highway segments are described following a counter-clockwise order around the Cascade Loop, which coincides with Regions 1-9 and is the recommended direction of travel (so north to south from Mukilteo, west to east across the Cascades through Regions 1-4, and then south to north through Region 5, turning westward within Region 6, across the North Cascades in Regions 7 and 8, and then north to south again in Region 9).

SR 525SR 525 extends from the SR 20 junction on Whidbey Island (south of Coupeville and at the turn-off to the Keystone Ferry Terminal) south to Clinton, and then follows the ferry crossing via the marine highway across Possession Sound to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal.

From the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, the Cascade Loop route follows SR 525 south less than two miles to the junction with SR 526. SR 525 from the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal to the SR 99 junction is known as the Mukilteo Speedway. A spur of SR 525 connects northbound travelers to SR 526 following Paine Field Boulevard (carrying traffic to the Everett/Mukilteo Boeing Plant). SR 525 is an important corridor for commerce, freight, and tourism.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESOn Whidbey Island, SR 525 is typically one lane in each direction with occasional turning, passing, deceleration, and acceleration lanes. Approaching and within Clinton, the roadway increases to four lanes with two travel lanes westbound and one travel lane and one ferry queuing lane on the eastbound side. Within

Clinton there is also a two-way left-turn lane in the center of the highway.

Within Mukilteo, upon departure of the ferry terminal, SR 525 carries two lanes in each direction (with one of these for ferry queuing), transitioningto a three-lane section (one lane southbound, two lanes northbound including the queuing lane). There are occasional turning lanes at intersections and occasional segments of two-way left-turn lanes in the center of the highway. The ferry queuing lane discontinues south of 84th Street SW/SR 526.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESTraffic volumes are measured on an annual basis by WSDOT and expressed in terms of average annual daily traffic (AADT), which is a measure of traffic volume for any average day of the year and includes both directions of travel.

For 2012, traffic counts showed between approximately 5,000 and 15,000 AADT on the Whidbey Island segment of the route and 5,700 vehicles per day in the vicinity of the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, reaching upwards of 21,000 vehicles per day in the vicinity of SR 526.

CLINTON FERRYTransports vehicles and passengers to Mukilteo


ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONWSDOT has adopted a Roadside Classification Plan to guide the management of state highway roadsides. The plan provides guidelines for roadside restoration, planning, management and construction activities. Roadside designations are: Forest, Open, Rural, Semi-Urban and Urban.

SR 525 has several designations on Whidbey Island:

� Forest between SR 20/SR 525 junction near Coupeville to Greenbank

� Rural in Greenbank

� Forest from Greenbank to Freeland

� Rural through Freeland

� Forest from Freeland to Clinton

� Semi-Urban through Clinton

� Urban in the vicinity of Mukilteo

ACCESS MANAGEMENTWSDOT implements access management to varying degrees on all highways across the state to control access to and from properties

along highways. Access management helps to improve mobility, safety, capacity, and functionality of highways. Highways are categorized as having either Limited Access or Managed Access. Limited Access highways provide limited and sometimes minimal or no access to adjacent properties. Managed Access highways provide levels of access from Class 1 (most restrictive) to Class 5 (least restrictive).

SR 525 consists primarily of Managed Access, Classes 2 through 3. Generally, highways of this classification are required to have access points spaced at least 330 to 660 feet apart and adjacent properties typically are limited to one point of access maximum to the highway.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMSR 525 is designated as part of the National Highway System, classifying it as important to the national economy, defense, and mobility.

TRANSIT SERVICESR 525 is served by bus transit operated by Community Transit.

TRAIN CONNECTIONThe Mukilteo train station is located in close proximity to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. As such, visitors traveling by train (Amtrak) could reach the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway in this vicinity.

PLANNING AND PROJECTSWSDOT worked with the Clinton community to identify and prioritize transportation concerns along the portion of SR 525 stretching from milepost 9.38 through Clinton to the ferry dock at milepost 8.48. A report was developed at the request of community members, who expressed concern about speed, traffic circulation at the ferry terminal, and other issues in the corridor. The report is available for download and review at the WSDOT website: Final report (pdf 2 mb).

MUKILTEO FERRY TERMINALVehicles wait to board the ferry to Clinton


SR 526Commonly known as the Boeing Freeway, SR 526 is 4.52 miles in length, extending between SR 525 and Interstate 5. It serves as a vital connection to Boeing's largest manufacturing facility at Paine Field, and provides access to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tours, a major attraction along the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESSR 526 generally carries two lanes of traffic in each direction with additional turning lanes at intersections and occasional segments of two-way left turn lanes in the center of the highway. Other portions of the highway contain a raised barrier in the center median.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESA large percentage of traffic comes from Boeing's Everett Plant for which the highway is named, serving approximately 50,000 employees. AADT levels range from 8,400 at the western junction with SR 525 to 74,000 in the vicinity of Interstate 5.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONSR 526 transitions from Semi-Urban in Mukilteo to Rural near Interstate 5.

ACCESS MANAGEMENTThe highway is designated primarily as “managed access” (controlled access).

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMSR 526 is designated as part of the National Highway System.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCEWSDOT designates SR 526 as a Highway of Statewide Significance.

TRANSIT SERVICESR 526 is served by bus transit operated by Community Transit.

Interstate 5Interstate 5 extends for 276.62 miles in Washington (from the border with Oregon to the US/Canadian border). It is the only interstate to traverse the whole north-south length of Washington. The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway only extends for a short segment on Interstate 5, less than five miles.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESFrom the vicinity of SR 526 to the junction with US Highway/SR 2, Interstate 5 generally carries four to five lanes in each direction, including High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes south of Everett—one in each direction.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESOne of the busiest travel ways in the state, an average of 240,000 motorists use it daily.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONInterstate 5 is classified as Rural south of Everett and Semi-Urban within Everett, approaching the junction with US Highway/SR 2.

ACCESS MANAGEMENTInterstate 5 is a Managed Access/Controlled Access facility. Northbound and southbound lanes are typically separated by an open space median and other barriers.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMInterstate 5 is designated as part of the National Highway System.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCEWSDOT designates Interstate 5 as a Highway of Statewide Significance and a principal route for commerce and freight in the state.

TRANSIT SERVICECommunity Transit provides transit service in Everett and Snohomish County. While there is not a specific transit stop/station along the Interstate in this vicinity, buses use this segment to get to and from routes.

EVERETT MARINAA great place to see boats of all types and sizes


C A N A D A

O R E G O N

I

DA

HO

2009

5

5

90

90

82

2

101

101

12

12

97

97

395

395

195

20 20

28

17

3

26

127

8

16

20

2

395

14

482

525

12

Highways Of Statewide SignificanceFerry Routes

HSS Routes

Other State Highways


US Highway/SR 2The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway departs Interstate 5 and joins US Highway/SR 2 in the vicinity of Everett, continuing through the Snohomish River Valley. It eventually becomes the designated Stevens Pass Greenway, a National Scenic Byway, in Monroe. The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway extends along US Highway/SR 2 for 119 miles from Everett to Wenatchee. (US Highway/SR 97 overlaps with US Highway/SR 2 from the junction east of Leavenworth to Wenatchee.)

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESIn the vicinity of Everett, US Highway/SR 2 transitions between seven and five lanes in width. At the junction with SR 204, US Highway/SR 2 turns south and becomes a divided highway with two lanes in each direction. Between Snohomish and Monroe the highway comes together and transitions between two lanes in each direction and one lane in each direction. Within Monroe the highway takes on a more urban character and includes intersections with turning lanes and typically ranges between four lanes and five lanes wide in this area. East of Monroe, the highway is typically one lane in each direction. Through Sultan, Startup, and Gold Bar, a two-way left-turn lane is provided in the center of the highway to facilitate local access. The highway then generally ranges from a two-lane to four-lane highway with occasional passing and turning lanes for the remaining distance. Through Leavenworth, the highway takes on more of a “main street” character, with turning lanes and streetscape improvements along the route.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESAADT counts range from 40,000 to 60,000 in the vicinity of Everett, decreasing to 25,000 to 50,000 in the vicinity of Monroe, and 15,000 to 25,000 through Sultan. AADT then drops to approximately 3,000 to 6,000 from Index to Coles Corner.

In the vicinity of Leavenworth AADT increases to between 10,000 and 15,000, and between Cashmere and Wenatchee, AADT ranges from 15,000 to 25,000.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONSUS Highway/SR 2 has several designations in the Snohomish River Valley Region:

� Urban between Puget Sound and Interstate 5

� Open between Interstate 5 and WA-204

� Forest between WA-204 and WA-9

� Rural, Semi-Urban between WA-9 and Monroe

� Rural between Monroe and Sultan

� Semi-Urban in Sultan

Roadside classifications in the Stevens Pass Greenway Region include:

� Rural between Sultan and Index

� Semi-Urban in Gold Bar

� Forest between Index and Coles Corner

� Semi-Urban in Skykomish

US Highway/SR 2 has several designations in the Leavenworth/Cascade Foothills Region:

� Forest between Coles Corner and Leavenworth

� Semi-Urban in Leavenworth

� Rural between Leavenworth and Cashmere

ACCESS MANAGEMENTUS Highway/SR 2 is a Limited Access highway from the vicinity of Everett and transitions to Managed Access from the vicinity of Snohomish to Wenatchee with varying levels of Class 1, 2, and 3 restrictions.

TRANSIT AND BUS SERVICECommunity Transit serves the Snohomish County portion of US Highway/SR 2 with a park-and-ride lot located in Monroe.

SULTANSR 2 cutting through Region 2


LINK Transit, based out of Wenatchee, provides service in the vicinity of Wenatchee and to Leavenworth to the west and Chelan and Manson to the north. (See map at right.)

Northwest Trailways has a terminal in Wenatchee. Northwest Trailways connects to the Apple Line in Wenatchee and Greyhound in Everett. Refer to the map of regional commercial bus services in Washington on page 4-16. Various commercial shuttle services also provide service to and from Stevens Pass.

TRAIN CONNECTIONSAmtrak operates passenger rail service with stations in Everett, Leavenworth and Wenatchee (and service between these cities, connecting to points north and south from Everett and east from Wenatchee). Refer to the Washington state passenger rail map on the page 4-17.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMUS Highway/SR 2 is part of the National Highway System, spanning over 2,500 miles across the northern United States.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCEUS Highway/SR 2 is designated as a Highway of Statewide Significance and serves as a major east-west arterial through Washington. It also serves interregional needs for freight movement as an important connection to Central Washington, carrying between 4,000,000 and 10,000,000 tons of freight per year on some segments.

6/18/2014 Link Transit - Connecting Our Communities - Chelan and Douglas Counties, State of Washington - 1

http://www.linktransit.com/routes-maps/entire-system-map?tmpl=component&print=1&page= 1/1

Entire System Map

LINK and Bus Transit Route Examples


US Highway/SR 97 Alternative (97A) US Highway/SR 97 Alternative (97A) is located on the west side of the Columbia River, connecting Wenatchee to Chelan. US Highway/SR 2 overlapping with US Highway/SR 97 continues along the east side of the Columbia River, while the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway Route follows US Highway SR 97A.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESUS Highway/SR 97A is two lanes (one lane in each direction).

TRAFFIC VOLUMESTraffic counts showed approximately 3,000 to 9,500 AADT on this segment in 2012.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONUS Highway/SR 97A has several designations in this segment:

� Rural between the US Highway/SR 2 interchange near Wenatchee and Chelan

� Semi-Urban and Urban in Chelan

� Forest and Rural on WA-971 near Lake Chelan

ACCESS MANAGEMENTUS Highway/SR 97A is primarily Managed Access with Class 1 through 3 restrictions.

TRANSIT SERVICELINK Transit, based out of Wenatchee uses this route to provide transit service to and from Chelan and Manson.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMUS Highway/SR 97A is part of the National Highway System.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCEUS Highway/SR 97A is designated as a Highway of Statewide Significance. It is also an important freight route carrying goods

to and from Chelan, including between 300,000 and 4,000,000 tons of freight per year.

US Highway/SR 97US Highway/SR 97 is the designation of the segment of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway from the point US Highway/SR 97A merges with US Highway/SR 97, north of Chelan to the junction with SR 153.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESWithin this segment of US Highway/SR 97, the highway is generally two lanes (one lane in each direction).

TRAFFIC VOLUMESTraffic counts showed approximately 4,500 AADT on this segment in 2012.

Bellingham

Pt AngelesPt Townsend

Everett

Seattle

Seatac

Tacoma

Olympia

Vancouver

Omak

Kettle Falls

Chewelah

Colville

Deer Park

Wenatchee

Moses Lake

Ritzville

Pullman

Spokane

Ellensburg

Yakima

ProsserSunnyside

Greyhound

Gold Line

Northwestern Stage LinesGrape LineApple LineDungeness Line

Pasco

Walla Walla

Statewide Intercity Bus Network

TravelWashington


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Kent

Kelso/Longview

Pasco

Tacoma

Tukwila

Mukilteo

Olympia/Lacey

Ephrata

SeattleSpokane

Everett

Edmonds

AuburnSumner

Puyallup

Vancouver

Bingen/WhiteSalmon

Centralia

Wenatchee

Wishram

Bellingham

Mount Vernon

Leavenworth

Yakima

Okanogan

Grant

King

Ferry

Chelan

Lewis

Clallam

Kittitas

Stevens

Lincoln

Skagit

PierceAdams

Whatcom

Whitman

Benton

Klickitat

Jefferson Douglas

Spokane

Snohomish

Pacific

Skamania

Grays Harbor

Cowlitz

Mason

Franklin

Clark

Pend Oreille

Walla Walla Asotin

Columbia

Garfield

Kitsap

Island

Thurston

San Juan

Wahkiakum

Passenger Rail System - Washington State

Legend

Source: WSDOT State Rail and Marine [email protected] / 360-705-7900Publication Date: January 2012Z:/GIS/2011 Maps

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Amtrak Cascades (Intercity Rail)Empire Builder (Long-Distance)Coast Starlight (Long-Distance)Sound Transit (Commuter Rail)

Light rail and street cars are not included.

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Kelso/Longview

Pasco

Tacoma

Tukwila

Mukilteo

Olympia/Lacey

Ephrata

SeattleSpokane

Everett

Edmonds

AuburnSumner

Puyallup

Vancouver

Bingen/WhiteSalmon

Centralia

Wenatchee

Wishram

Bellingham

Mount Vernon

Leavenworth

Yakima

Okanogan

Grant

King

Ferry

Chelan

Lewis

Clallam

Kittitas

Stevens

Lincoln

Skagit

PierceAdams

Whatcom

Whitman

Benton

Klickitat

Jefferson Douglas

Spokane

Snohomish

Pacific

Skamania

Grays Harbor

Cowlitz

Mason

Franklin

Clark

Pend Oreille

Walla Walla Asotin

Columbia

Garfield

Kitsap

Island

Thurston

San Juan

Wahkiakum


Legend


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Kent

Kelso/Longview

Pasco

Tacoma

Tukwila

Mukilteo

Olympia/Lacey

Ephrata

SeattleSpokane

Everett

Edmonds

AuburnSumner

Puyallup

Vancouver

Bingen/WhiteSalmon

Centralia

Wenatchee

Wishram

Bellingham

Mount Vernon

Leavenworth

Yakima

Okanogan

Grant

King

Ferry

Chelan

Lewis

Clallam

Kittitas

Stevens

Lincoln

Skagit

PierceAdams

Whatcom

Whitman

Benton

Klickitat

Jefferson Douglas

Spokane

Snohomish

Pacific

Skamania

Grays Harbor

Cowlitz

Mason

Franklin

Clark

Pend Oreille

Walla Walla Asotin

Columbia

Garfield

Kitsap

Island

Thurston

San Juan

Wahkiakum


Legend


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ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONUS Highway/SR 97 is designated as Open and Rural within this segment from Chelan to SR 153 at Pateros.

ACCESS MANAGEMENTUS Highway/SR 97 is primarily Managed Access with Class 1 through 3 restrictions. Some segments are designated as Limited Access.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMUS Highway/SR 97 is part of the National Highway System, and as US Highway 97 it begins in northern California and continues all the way north through Oregon and Washington to the US/Canadian border, spanning a length of 663 miles in the US.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCEUS Highway/SR 97 is designated as a Highway of Statewide Significance and is also an important freight route carrying goods to and from Chelan, including between 4,000,000 and 10,000,000 tons of freight per year.

SR 153The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway follows SR 153, known as the Methow Valley Highway, from the junction with US Highway/SR 97 near the confluence of the Methow River and Columbia River at Pateros to the junction with SR 20 to the northwest.

The highway was first established as Methow-Barron Road at the end of the nineteenth century, later becoming State Route 12 and Primary State Highway 16 and then renumbered SR 153 in 1964.

NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESSR 153 is generally a two-lane highway (one lane in each direction) throughout its alignment.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESTraffic counts in 2012 showed AADT ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 on SR 153.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONSR 153 has a roadside classification of Rural between US Highway/SR 97 and SR 20.

ACCESS MANAGEMENTSR 153 is primarily a Managed Access highway with Class 1 and 3 restrictions.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMSR 153 is the only route of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway that is not part of the National Highway System.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCESR 153 is not designated as a Highway of Statewide Significance. The route is important for freight and commerce (carrying goods and people to and from the Methow Valley). WSDOT estimates that between 300,000 and 4,000,000 tons of freight per year are carried on SR 153.

SR 20SR 20 is one of the longest segments of the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway. In the Methow Valley, from the junction with SR 153 at milepost 66.29, over the North Cascades, to milepost 204.09 at Sedro-Woolley, the route is known as the North Cascades Scenic Highway, with the federal designation of National Forest Scenic Byway.

From Sedro-Woolley to the west, SR 20 enters the broad Skagit Valley and continues to Fidalgo Island and the edge of Puget Sound just south of Anacortes at Sharpes Corner, where the highway turns, crosses scenic Deception Pass and extends onto Whidbey Island. On Whidbey Island, SR 20 continues south to the vicinity of Fort Casey and then turns west, following the marine highway route via ferry to Port Townsend and beyond, across Puget Sound.

SR 20 is the longest highway in Washington at 436 miles, extending from the Washington-Idaho border, across the state to west of Puget Sound. SR 20 has often been referred to as the “most beautiful mountain highway in Washington state.”

METHOW VALLEY TRAILSSome of the finest Nordic skiing in North America


NUMBER OF TRAVEL LANESSR 20 is predominantly two lanes (one lane in each direction) with occasional turning, passing, deceleration, and acceleration lanes. In some of the more developed segments, such as approaching Sharpes Corner and through Oak Harbor, the highway widens to two lanes in each direction.

TRAFFIC VOLUMESFor 2012, traffic counts showed from 3,000 to 5,000 AADT in the vicinity of the SR 153 junction. Over the pass, traffic volumes decrease to around 1,000 to 1,500 AADT, due to the annual closure of this segment. In the vicinity of Concrete AADT was 4,800 in 2012, increasing to around 17,000 to 20,000 in the vicinity of Sedro-Woolley and Burlington. AADT increases again on the segment

extending west, reaching 31,000 before the turn to Deception Pass and Whidbey Island. On Whidbey Island AADT ranges from 13,000 to 21,000 based on 2012 counts.

ROADSIDE CLASSIFICATIONSR 20 has several classifications crossing the North Cascades:

� Rural between SR 153/SR 20 Interchange and Mazama

� Semi-Urban in Twisp and Winthrop

� Forest from Mazama to Ross Lake

� Rural and Forest from Ross Lake to Sedro-Woolley

� Semi-Urban in Sedro-Woolley and Burlington

� Rural from Burlington to Deception Pass

Classifications of SR 20 as it crosses Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands include:

� Rural and Forest from Deception Pass to SR 525/SR 20

� Urban and Semi-Urban in Oak Harbor

� Rural south of Oak Harbor

ACCESS MANAGEMENTSR 20 is comprised of several different Access Management types. From Twisp to Winthrop, SR 20 consists of Managed Access, from Class 2 through Class 5. From Winthrop to Ross Lake, SR 20 consists of Limited Access. From Ross Lake to Whidbey Island, SR 20 consists primarily of Managed Access, Class 2, with some small areas designated Limited Access.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEMSR 20 from Interstate 5 to the Keystone Ferry near Fort Casey State Park is a part of the National Highway System (NHS), indicating that the highway is significant to the defense, economy, and mobility of the region and of the nation.

SR 20 from Interstate 5 west to the Whidbey Island Naval Station near Oak Harbor is designated as a major STRAHNET (Strategic Highway Network) connector. STRAHNET is a transportation network critical to the national defense system to provide for defense and emergency access. SR 20 is designated as a major STRAHNET connector, indicating that the highway provides access to and between major military installations, including the Whidbey Island Naval Station.

HIGHWAY OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCESR 20 is a Highway of Statewide Significance and an important freight route, carrying between 300,000 tons to 10 million tons of freight per year.

TRANSIT SERVICEIsland Transit provides service on Whidbey and Camano Islands.

MOUNT VERNONA charming city located along the scenic Skagit River


Timeline: 1896 - 1972Prior to the completion of North Cascades Highway, Native Americans used this corridor as a trading route from the Eastern Plateau country to the Pacific Coast, for over 8,000 years. Beginning in the mid 1800’s white settlers arrived in search of gold, fur bearing animals, and the possibility of finding a new home.

1896—The State Road Commission, after surveying possible routes in the upper Skagit, concluded that the Skagit gorge was not a practical route. They settled upon the Cascade Pass route. In 1897 a road up the Cascade River was roughed out as far as Gilbert Landre’s cabin. Although the wagon road never went any farther, it was shown on maps as State Highway #1 or the Cascade Wagon Road.

From Forging a Trail to a Paved Highway

The first state funding to explore a possible route through the Cascade Range was

appropriated in 1895. The North Cascades Highway was completed September 2, 1972,

connecting the Skagit River Valley with the Methow Valley.

Read a detailed history of the North Cascades Highway in a North Cascades Grand

Opening brochure (pdf 4 MB) published by Washington Highways in September 1972.

North Cascades Scenic Highway History

“… It is a tribute to all…who were involved whether they simply walked along the footpath through the North Cascades until it became a well-worn, easily defined trail for horses, or actually worked to enlarge the horse trail into first a wagon

road and then the modern highway it is today.”

An excerpt from the brochure:


1897—Flood took out most of the newly completed work along the Cascade River.

1905—Joseph M. Snow, the first State Highway Commissioner, reported that almost all the money appropriated to that time for a road had been wasted. 1905—State designated a highway to be built along the Methow River from Pateros to Hart’s Pass.

1909—The road was completed to Hart’s Pass.

SEPT. 14, 1924—Gorge Dam went into operation.

NOV. 1936—Diablo Dam started producing power.

1940—Highway promoters broke the stalemate about routings across the North Cascades that had persisted since the days of Alexander Ross (1814). L.D. Holloway persuaded other boosters to go along with the Forest Service and State Highway Department in scrapping forever the Cascade Pass highway idea and agreeing on a route across Rainy and Washington passes.

1953—The North Cascades Highway Association was formed. Boosters made plans for promotional and political campaigns. During the 1950s, requests were made for huge timber sales along the highway corridor. These proposals were used to support the need for a highway.

1958-1959—The State appropriated funds to build a highway from Diablo to Thunder Arm and to improve access roads on both sides of the mountains. Construction began in 1959.

JAN. 6, 1966—The North Cascades Study Team report was released. Its proposals included new wilderness areas and a North Cascades National Park. The Study Team envisioned the new road as a scenic highway, not an access for logging, mining or development.

SEPT. 1968—A rough pioneer road was completed. On September 29, hundreds of four-wheel drive vehicles formed a caravan to make the first crossing and celebrate at the summit of Rainy Pass.

OCT. 2, 1968—President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the North Cascades National Park bill.

SEPT. 2, 1972—North Cascades Highway officially opened.

ROCKPORTHome to Howard Miller Steelhead Park


Side Tours/Trips—Mini-Loops and Spur RoutesThere are a variety of mini-loops and spur routes off the Cascade Loop that provide great side tour experiences for visitors. These are highlighted and described in Chapters 1 and 3 of the corridor management plan. The regional maps in Chapter 3 illustrate these routes.

Roadside Pull-offs/Scenic Viewing LocationsThere are many existing locations along the Cascade Loop Scenic Highway where visitors can safely pull-off the highway for fantastic views and photo opportunities. These are available in every region of the Cascade Loop. The Action Plan in Chapter 6 includes several projects that would identify and improve additional new pull-off areas when implemented.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations The Cascade Loop Scenic Highway is fast becoming the greenest transportation route in the US with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at many locations along the route, and more popping up all the time. The Cascade Loop also links with the West Coast Green Highway (see map, next page.) www.westcoastgreenhighway.com.

Current available locations include:

� Future Of Flight, FOF Station #1, 8415 Paine Field Boulevard, Mukilteo

� Snohomish County-Willis Tucker Community Park, 6705 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish, WA

� Langley Park, Langley Whidbey Island

� Saratoga Inn, Langley, Whidbey Island

� China City, Freeland #1, Whidbey Island

� WiFire Café, Freeland, Whidbey Island

� Whidbey Telecom (Four Stations), Freeland, Whidbey Island

� China City, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island

� Pioneer Way/Dock Street (Two Stations), Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island

� Walgreens, Anacortes

� The Outlet Shoppes (Three Stations) at Burlington, Burlington

� Fairfield Inn & Suites for Tesla Only, Burlington

� Skagit County Administration Building (Three Stations), Mount Vernon

Winter Closure of the North Cascades Highway (SR 20)

A 37-mile segment of the Cascade Loop (on State Route 20 over the North Cascades Pass) is closed for a few months from late fall to early spring (usually mid-to late November to mid-April/May 1). During this time, visitors can still access winter recreation opportunities all around the loop and can reach the Methow Valley for the many winter activities there. Visitors from the west side can travel over the Cascades on US Highway/SR 2 to US Highway/SR 97A (or 97) and then take SR 153 into the Methow Valley.

The extensive snowfall over the North Cascades Pass requires the closure each year but the specific date of reopening depends on the weather. During this closure the Cascade Loop becomes more of a horseshoe, with access to all areas except those areas adjacent to the closed segment.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for clearing the highway of snow, avalanche danger and repairing any winter damage. To learn more about why the pass closes visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades.

To see opening and closing dates for years past visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades/closurehistory.htm.


� Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon

� NW WA JATC (Two Stations), 306 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon

� Snohomish County-Evergreen Fairgrounds, Monroe

� US Highway 2, Sultan Visitor Information Center, Sultan

� Sky Deli, Skykomish

� Stevens Pass Ski Resort (Two Stations), Top of Stevens Pass, SR 2

� Leavenworth City Hall, Leavenworth

� Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, Leavenworth

� 59er Dine, Coles Corner

� Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee

� Town Nissan, East Wenatchee

� Springhill Suites Hotel, Wenatchee

� Campbell’s Resort, Chelan

� Pateros Lakeshore Inn, Pateros

� Twisp River Pub, Twisp

� Pine Near RV Park, Winthrop

� Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop (coming summer, 2014)

� Mazama Country Inn, Mazama

� Seattle City Light, Newhalem

Other charging stations in Everett, just off the Cascade Loop:

� Everett Community College, 2000 Tower Street, Everett

� Providence Medical Center Garage, 1717 13st Street, Everett

� Providence Medical Group Colby Campus, 1800 14th Street, Everett

� Snohomish County Garage, 3000 Rockefeller, Avenue, Everett

� Snohomish County Fleet Facility Sharepower and Blink, 3402 McDougall Avenue, Everett

� Providence Regional Medical Center, Pacific Campus, 916 Pacific Avenue, Everett

� Walgreens, three locations in Everett: 6807 Evergreen Way, 11216 4th Avenue W., and 13110 Bothell Everett Highway

� Fred Meyer, 8530 Evergreen Way, Everett

� Performance Nissan, 10500 Highway 99 S., Everett

� Snohomish County-McCollum Park, 600 128th Street SE, Everett

Sources: www.westcoastgreenhighway.comwww.chargepoint.com

The Cascade Loop Association will continue to work with partners and representatives from the EV charging industry to encourage installation of EV charging stations all around the entire loop. During workshops for developing this plan for the Cascade Loop, participants suggested there may be an opportunity to engage Seattle City Light as a potential partner, given their electricity conveyance facilities along the North Cascades Highway.


cascade loop scenic highway corridor management plan (part 1)

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