North Cascades National Park - Beautiful scenic views of mountains, lakes, dams, and forests.

We started out from Seattle on Highway 20, North Cascades Highway. The small towns leading up to the National Park are interesting. The views were beautiful. Viewpoints overlooking the Gorge Dam, Diablo Dam, and Ross Dam were not only breathtaking but also very informative. There is a viewpoint looking west down on Ross Lake and Ross Dam that is really worth seeing. I would recommend taking your time and stopping at every lookout, you won't be disappointed.

Gorgeous, especially in September! The North Cascades are the most astounding mountains in the Lower 48, and you can get a good look at them here and there along this highway, especially around Diablo Lake and Washington Pass. But the real treats here await just up the trails. This is a hikers and climbers National Park, with few roads.

For a peek at the real peaks, step out of your car and walk a couple of miles up the Heather Pass/Maple Pass trail (near Rainy Pass). Or stroll a more level two miles or so south past alpine lakes on the Pacific Crest Trail. Fantastic.

Clearly marked and almost impossible to miss, these falls are right along the highway about halfway between Newhalem and Diablo. You go over a large bridge that crosses the falls - on the western side of the bridge there is a pretty good sized parking lot. From here, you can hike to an overlook of Gorge Dam, or you can cross the highway for a closer look at the falls, which are just under 250 feet tall.

Ketchum Creek Falls descend about 200 feet (60 m) in a staggering rock hopping path. It is a very graceful waterfall but does not see much attention.Nearby Gorge Creek Falls steals most of the attention since it is labeled on park maps and also has many road signs directing visitors to take a look.Ketchum Creek Falls is actually the more visually appealing waterfall. It can be seen from the road and the most common picture taking location is actually from the road.

 There is a turnoff from Cascades Highway leading to Diablo Dam. The spur road is steep and winds a bit and then continues on this narrow two lane bridge. From this point, a gravel road leads to Diablo Dam.

Once we crossed the diablo dam, there was a beautiful scenic lookout view and a must see.