Outside of Diablo Lake Vista Point, I'd consider this Washington Pass Overlook a major focal point and next best activity at North Cascades National Park. Washington Pass is located all the way in the eastern section of North Cascades...near Rainy Lake. When you're driving along Highway 20 that cuts through the heart of the park, it can't be missed and there's a pretty noticeable sign to grab your attention. Once here, the parking lot has enough spaces available and there's plenty of visitors coming and going throughout the day. After exiting your car, there's a very short paved pathway walk to the overlook. It'll take 5 minutes at the most. Once standing at the observation lookout, you're afforded spectacular views of "Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winters Spires and Kangaroo Ridge" according to fs.usda.gov. I'd basically categorize the backdrop as a wide open perspective setting of the North Cascades Mountain Range. And there's more! Towards the backend of the viewpoint, if you continue gently climbing over a few rocks, you get another fantastic undisturbed glance from high above Highway 20. Also, if you happen to be visiting on a clear and sunny day, the surroundings can have you speechless. And when getting ready to leave here and move onto the next hike/attraction, you'll be left with fond memories and a newfound motivation for the great outdoors. Some extra details... - 30 minutes is enough time to become acquainted with the scenery. - There are restrooms next to the parking lot. - I visited midday back in July and the sun was well positioned in the sky for good photography. - Right near the trailhead walk towards the overlook, there's a terrific sign mentioning a bunch of Highway 20 Featured Hikes & Sights. I took a picture of the sign. Here are a sampling of recommended trails...Gorge Creek Falls Trail, Diablo Lake Trail, Thunder Knob Trail, Happy Creek Forest Walk, Canyon Creek Trail, Cutthroat Lake Trail and Lone Fir Interpretive Trail. - My next area of the park to explore was situated a few miles west along Highway 20. At the Rainy Pass Picnic Area, I hiked Maple Pass Trail which was a moderately strenuous path and took half the day to complete. I'd suggest attempting Maple Pass Trail if you have the time. Overall, Washington Pass Lookout is a Must-Do stop within North Cascades NP. It well represents what makes this area of Northern Washington so spectacularly beautiful. And really best of all, you don't have to work hard to capture stunning views. read more

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Gorgeous...a must-stop! We recently took a road trip through the North Cascades National Park. Once we arrived at the pass we pulled up to a closed gate, as the roads weren't all open yet for the season. No worries, we walked the road up to the overview from there. The overview is great, a very large parking area, plenty of restrooms, and picnic tables in beautiful settings. We took the path from the lot to the overview...stunning. A "see it in person because pics won't do it justice" type of spot. Take the loop back around to the lot, as the beauty continues and the path is short, but winding and fun. Lots of chipmunks and birds to watch on your short journey. Washington Pass is gorgeous to drive and even more breathtaking to see from above. read more

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Definitely stop by to see Washington Pass if you're on HW 20. There's a little bit of walking around, but the grounds are very nicely maintained and the views are unbeatable. read more

Washington Pass Observation Site - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mazama, Washington

There was a time when Starfleet required all officers and crewmen to meet rigorous fitness standards. Ah, those were the days! You could take an away team to a planet with twice the gravity and half the oxygen of Vulcan, and count on your crew to make their way to the most strategically useful summit while carrying 50 kilos of scientific equipment. But today's officers have grown soft on a diet of replicated food, artificial gravity and holodeck "workouts". No matter that we'd been assigned to assess a region full of mountains: my junior members made it clear that they were unprepared to hike more than 50 vertical feet in the course of a day. That's why I was deeply grateful to learn of the Washington Pass Observation Site, which provides panoramic views from a dazzling height...but is accessible with only minimal walking. A ten-minute loop offered plenty of opportunities to assess the strategic value of this commanding perch -- I mean, plenty of photo opportunities. Our crew was able to create a convincing photographic record of our adventures in the wilds of the North Cascades, without ever getting out of range of a flush toilet. Not that everyone who enjoys this outlook does it just to take the easy way out. After what we'd seen of humans, I was shocked to encounter two young people who had actually cycled all the way up to the overlook. They put my junior officers to shame! And let's be honest, the senior officers too. read more

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