Morning: Fly into Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and pick up your rental car. Drive north (≈2 hours) to the town of Winthrop, where budget-friendly lodging options include the Winthrop Lodge and nearby North Cascades Hostel. Settle in and stock up on groceries for camp meals.
Afternoon: Head to the North Cascades Visitor Center for maps and trail updates. Explore the short Stehekin River Trail (1 mi loop) for a quick warm‑up and scenic river views.
Evening: Relax at the Ross Lake Campground (first‑come, first‑served). The campsite offers stunning lake reflections, perfect for a peaceful sunset at Ross Lake while the stars emerge over the mountains.
Find HotelsMorning: Early sunrise at the iconic Diablo Lake Overlook (watch the turquoise waters glow). Then hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail (5.5 mi round‑trip) with moderate elevation gain, offering views of Horseshoe Lake and alpine meadows.
Afternoon: Drive the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) to the Cascade Pass trailhead. Embark on the Cascade Pass Trail (7.4 mi round‑trip) for breathtaking vistas of the surrounding peaks; keep an eye out for the hidden gem Hidden Lake off the main trail.
Evening: Return to the Newhalem Campground (camping permitted, cool but not freezing in late April). Enjoy a campfire dinner (where allowed) and a gentle walk along the Newhalem River for nighttime wildlife spotting.
Find HotelsMorning: Watch the sunrise from Washington Pass, one of the park’s best sunrise spots, with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Follow the short Washington Pass Trail (2 mi round‑trip) for a quick hike that leads to a stunning overlook of the **North Cascades**.
Afternoon: Continue to the Lake Ann trailhead (near the town of Lake Chelan), a 3.8 mi round‑trip hike that loops around a pristine alpine lake. The trail’s gentle ascent offers photo‑op spots at Lake Ann and hidden waterfalls.
Evening: Head back to Winthrop for a relaxing night. Dine at the budget-friendly Old School Brewing Company or cook a simple meal at your campsite before stargazing from the Winthrop’s River Trail viewpoint.
Find HotelsMorning: Catch a final sunrise at Diablo Lake Overlook for a last glimpse of its vivid turquoise waters. Pack up and drive south toward Mount Rainier National Park (≈3 hours).
Afternoon: Stop at the Longmire Visitor Center for park information and short Longmire Nature Trail (0.6 mi) to stretch legs. Continue to Paradise for a scenic drive and check in at a budget-friendly Paradise Inn dormitory or nearby campground.
Evening: End the day with a sunset view from the Sunrise Point near the Paradise Visitor Center, offering spectacular views of the mountain’s face bathed in gold light.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, add an extra day to explore the Stehekin River Valley by taking a floatplane or kayak for a remote wilderness experience. To shorten the trip, skip the Lake Ann hike and replace it with a shorter stroll around the Skagit River, allowing you to spend more time relaxing at the campgrounds or heading earlier to Mt. Rainier for additional activities.