Reflecting on our September 2020 adventure to the North Cascades, we found ourselves traveling during an unusual time. However, it turned out to be the perfect opportunity to check a National Park off our list. We embraced the tranquility of a fully remote, off-grid cabin in Winthrop, Washington, devoid of electricity and plumbing, making for an unforgettable experience.
Summary of Our Weekend
Location: North Cascades National Park
The Grizzly Hut: Equipped with bunk beds and sleeping pads, cookware, chopped wood, a propane-powered stove, board games, books, gas lamps, and a sanitary outhouse (with toilet paper).
Price: Currently $110-$250 per night, depending on the time of year and the hut you choose. It was much cheaper during our trip.
At the time, Chad was living just south of Tacoma, WA, making it convenient to explore the entire state. For this adventure, we set off on a Friday morning, embarking on a scenic three-hour drive to the North Cascades (about two hours north of Seattle). The journey was beautiful and went by quickly, despite the intermittent rain throughout the weekend.
We headed straight to the park to explore a few spots before checking into our hut in the early afternoon. Our first stop was Diablo Lake, located between Ross and Gorge Lakes. This reservoir is renowned for its vibrant turquoise color, which was even more stunning in the rainy weather. There’s a scenic overlook perfect for photos, and a 7.6-mile round-trip hike around the lake, which we skipped due to the weather, opting instead for the lookout point.
Next, we drove a bit further to an overlook of Ross Lake, one of the largest reservoirs in the Pacific Northwest, stretching 23 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The views were breathtaking and made for a memorable start to our weekend.
We booked our trip around the basis of seclusion. If you do not mind paying a little higher price and having a few neighbors, the Ross Lake Resort would be an excellent option to immerse yourself in the North Cascades with all the amenities.
The Grizzly Hut (2 Night Stay)
Day 1:
After capturing several photos and exploring the park, we made our way to the Grizzly Hut, located about 1.5 hours from the park. The drive was an adventure in itself. Without cell service, we relied on the provided map below, hoping to reach the hut before sunset. We highly recommend arriving during daylight, as there is no lighting once you leave the main road. Additionally, an all-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly advised, if not essential, due to the rugged terrain leading to the huts.
Upon arrival, we found a book with all the instructions we needed for our stay. Think of this as elevated camping: everything is propane-powered, and there’s no running water. Conveniently, 7 gallons of water were provided, along with plenty of pre-chopped firewood. Chad even chopped extra firewood before we left to ensure the next guests would have enough.
After unloading the car and settling into the hut, we started making dinner. We had brought a cooler packed with food for the weekend. Our first meal was sheet pan nachos, made using the propane oven. This dish was super easy to prepare, with ingredients that were easy to transport in the cooler, and it was delicious after a long day of traveling. The hut had more than enough cookware for our meals, and we cleaned up as we went to leave everything ready for the next guests.
Similar recipe to what we used linked here: Sheet Pan Nachos
After dinner, we played Monopoly, one of the games provided in the hut. We played a lot of games throughout the weekend since we had no cell service. Being so remote, I had the best night’s sleep because it was so quiet. The Grizzly Hut had five double bed mattresses, making it suitable for a large group if needed.
In the winter, these huts are popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Since we visited in September, our trip focused mainly on hiking, but there’s plenty to do here in the winter as well.
Day 2:
For breakfast on our second day, we cooked a simple meal on the stovetop: eggs, sausage, and toast. We spent most of the day relaxing at the hut and exploring the nearby trails and roads. We didn’t feel like driving and just wanted to immerse ourselves in the outdoors. We ended up trekking up Grizzly Mountain, a peak just behind the cabin. While we don’t necessarily recommend this as it might not have been the safest idea, the views from the top were stunning, and it was fun to do a bit of “off-roading.”
After our adventure, Chad chopped some wood as the sun set. We then made dinner (though I honestly can’t remember what we cooked) and spent the evening playing Jenga and other card games over a couple of glasses of wine.
Hidden Lake Hike
On our final morning at the cabin, we woke up before sunrise and made a quick breakfast before heading out to one of my all-time favorite hikes: the Hidden Lake Hike. The trailhead was about a 2-hour drive from the hut back towards Seattle, located off Forest Service Road 1540.
When we started the hike, the temperatures were comfortably fall-like, with gradual elevation gains. Near the 2-mile mark, we emerged from the tree cover and quickly shed layers as the sun beat down on us. Around the 4-mile mark, we reached the top of the ridgeline and were greeted by snow! We bundled up again with hats and gloves and tackled the most challenging part of the hike, which involved scrambling over slippery, snow-covered rocks.
Upon reaching the summit, we were initially disappointed to find the lake view obscured by endless clouds. After a tough 5-mile trek, we were determined to see the incredible view we had seen in photos, so we camped out on a rock and ate lunch. About 20 minutes later, the clouds began to move on, revealing the stunning Hidden Lake. Nestled at 5,700 feet in the mountains, the lake’s deep blue waters were surrounded by endless peaks, making the wait well worth it. We took several photos before making our way back down the mountain.
While many hikes offer a few beautiful views here and there, this one stood out for its consistently breathtaking scenery throughout the entire journey.
Summary of the Hike:
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,500 ft.
Gear Required: Varies by season. For our September hike, we found waterproof hiking shoes essential, along with several layering options, including hats and gloves. Don’t forget to bring water and food.
Other Tips: There’s no water available at the trailhead. The road to the parking lot can be hit or miss, so we recommend a high-clearance vehicle to navigate the potholes.
Overall, our explorations in the North Cascades were incredibly rewarding. The combination of stunning landscapes, the tranquility of our remote cabin, and the adventure of hiking made for an unforgettable weekend. We can’t wait to return and experience more of what this beautiful region has to offer.
Happy Travels, Ally and Chad
