The mountains are calling and I must go.
— John Muir
Date Created: October 2, 1968.
Location: Northern part of the U.S. state of Washington.
Size: Approximately 504,780 acres (204,432 hectares).
Animals seemed cautiously curious rather than frightened – yet. The jagged mountains, pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls and dense forests exude life as has existed for centuries. The waters sparkle and it is possible to view rocks at unbelievable depths. North Cascades and surrounding areas have the largest concentration of glaciers in the United States with the exception of Alaska however, like Glacier National Park, they are melting rapidly. Popular recreation activities include hiking, wilderness camping, boating, mountaineering, horseback riding and biking. Even so, it is not as frequently visited as other national parks. Perhaps it is good to keep the wilderness free of humans.