14 Events to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park turns 50 on Oct. 2. Though Washingtonians have recognized its beauty and splendor for far longer, this milestone anniversary is worthy of celebration!

The park was established in 1968 to preserve the area's snowfields, glaciers, alpine meadows, waterfalls and mountain scenery. The park has since expanded into the North Cascades Recreational Complex, which includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Nearly 1 million people visit the complex each year.

The festivities begin this week and continue through the second week of October. 

Backpacking Winchester Mountain. Photo Tiffany Stumpf

Wednesday, Aug. 22

Back Porch Music: Cascades Karaoke, North Cascades Visitor Center, 1-2 p.m.

• All are welcome to come and form a band. Bring your own instruments, or just your voice, and sing along with members of the American Wild Ensemble.

Music Moves Outdoors, Newhalem, 3-4 p.m.

• Get your dancing shoes on. The American Wild Ensemble will lead an active workshop that will make you want to move your feet.

Campground Concert, Newhalem Creek Campground, 7-8:30 p.m.

• The American Wild Ensemble will present a program with music inspired by American landscapes.

 
Dancing on Sahale Arm. Photo Mitch Pittman

Thursday, Aug. 23

Back Porch Music: Cascades Karaoke, North Cascades Visitor Center, 1-2 p.m.

• All are welcome to come and form a band. Bring your own instruments, or just your voice, and sing along with members of the American Wild Ensemble.

Nature Inspires Music, Newhalem, 3-4 p.m.

• There is a deep connection between nature and music. The American Wild Ensemble will join groups of park goers to explore these connections using a variety of genres to learn how the world around us can inspire song.

Campground Concert, Newhalem Creek Campground, 7-8:30 p.m.

• The American Wild Ensemble hosts a program with music inspired by American landscapes.

 

Hidden Lake camp. Photo Dennis Kurtz

Friday, Aug. 24

Back Porch Music: Cascades Karaoke, North Cascades Visitor Center, 1-2 p.m.

• All are welcome to come and form a band. Bring your own instruments, or just your voice, and sing along with members of the American Wild Ensemble.

Music Moves Outdoors, Newhalem, 3-4 p.m.

• Get your dancing shoes on. The American Wild Ensemble leads an active workshop that will make you want to move your feet.

Campground Concert, Newhalem Creek Campground, 7-8:30 p.m.

• The American Wild Ensemble hosts a program with music inspired by American landscapes.

 
Hiking on the Tomyhoi Peak Trail. Photo by Tim Nair

Saturday, Aug. 25

A Musical Hike, Trail of Cedars, Newhalem, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Enjoy a beautiful, ranger-led hike to a concert in the wild. At the end of a short trek through the North Cascades, enjoy a 45-minute musical experience by the American Wild Ensemble in a one-of-a-kind venue.

Town hall discussion with North Cascades Conservation Council and National Parks Service, North Cascades Visitor Center, Newhalem, 2-4 p.m.

• Honor the hard work, dedication and stewardship of those who have worked towards the protection and stewardship of the three units of the national parks complex: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

 
Happy Hikers on the Copper Ridge Trail. Photo Jacquelyn Kurdas

Tuesday, Oct. 2

North Cascades National Park

• The North Cascades National Park officially turns 50 on Oct. 2. Spend a relaxing day in the complex on its anniversary to celebrate this beautiful area of our state. Use our hiking guide to find the right hike for you. (And be sure to check trip reports for trail conditions.)

 
Time for a photo on Cascade Pass. Photo Ryan Kuhar

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 6-7 4 p.m.-12p.m. (overnight)

Harvest Dinner 2018: Crown Jewel Wilderness, North Cascades Learning Center, Diablo Lake

• Celebrate the arrival of autumn and the creation of the North Cascades National Park with dinner, a presentation with historian Lauren Danner and comfortable overnight accommodations.

 
All smiles at Diablo Lake. Photo Isabel Uriarte

Sunday, Oct. 14

Celebration of the North Cascades 50^th Anniversary, El Centro de la Raza, Seattle 1-5 p.m.

• Join the North Cascades Conservation Council in celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of the park. More details to come.
• Come visit us at the WTA booth for the inside scoop on fall hikes and a chance to win some WTA prizes!