Located in the picturesque North Cascades National Park, Eldorado Peak is Fred Beckey's "Queen of the Cascade River". The summit's craggy profile, remoteness, and knife edge summit combine to remind hikers of the Himalayas.
While the climb is not technically difficult, equipment and climbing experience are a must for this trip. But your efforts will reward you with views into Marble Creek, Dorado Needle, Forbidden Peak, Mount Buckner, Logan, Johannesburg and the other peaks of the Ptarmigan Traverse.
As exhilarating a summit experience as a hiker could hope for, the climb gives hikers who tackle it a feeling of being out in a truly remote alpine environment. This is a mountain that should be on any Pacific Northwest's mountaineers list.
Eldorado Peak
48.5136,
-121.1964
Map & Directions
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 6,716 feet
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Highest Point
- 8,876 feet
The Cascade River Road is closed for the winter season
Parking Pass/Entry Fee
Northwest Forest Pass
Hike along a knife's edge to Eldorado Peak. Climbing experience and equipment required.
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Hiking Eldorado Peak
Eldorado Peak
Map & Directions
Trailhead
Before You Go
The Cascade River Road is closed for the winter season
A $26 backcountry permit is required to camp overnight in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex (incl. Ross Lake National Rec Area and Lake Chelan National Rec Area). Permits must be picked up in person at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. See the National Park Service website for more information.
Parking Pass/Entry Fee
Northwest Forest PassWTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.
Getting There
From I-5 Northbound: Take exit 208 for Highway 530. Take a left on highway 530 at Darrington. The highway ends in 19 miles, where you can take a right onto Highway 20 towards Marblemount. Pass through the last gas station in Marblemount go straight onto the Cascade River Road. After crossing the bridge, the road takes you all the way to the trailhead at Mile Marker 20.
Note: The last 10 miles of road is gravel and washes out almost every year at some point. The trailhead itself is on the right. Privy at trailhead.
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