The Great North Cascades Traverse

This is a 105-mile, one-way backcountry route from Hannegan Trailhead to the High Bridge shuttle stop in Stehekin. It links existing trails over five passes—Hannegan, Whatcom, Beaver, Fourth of July and Park Creek—crossing the wet western valleys and high glacier country before dropping into the Stehekin Valley. It is a multi-day expedition across a string of trail corridors, not one continuous signed trail.

This is for experienced backpackers prepared for long climbs, rough trail and remote camps. Plan about 80 hours of hiking spread across roughly 8–10 days; that schedule is an estimate, since no full-route time or total elevation gain is published. The published itinerary is 105 miles, but the connected line shown here measures about 93 miles. No complete route file was available to reconcile the roughly 12-mile gap. Plan around 105 miles and compare junctions with current agency maps before starting.

The route is point to point: reach Hannegan at the north end, then arrange your finish from High Bridge in Stehekin. There are no food services along the traverse. Carry your meals and a way to treat water, and plan the shuttle and return connections before choosing a finish day.

From Hannegan Pass, the route descends toward the Chilliwack and Brush Creek valleys, then climbs to Whatcom Pass for broad views of Challenger Glacier and Little Beaver Valley. It winds through Little Beaver to Ross Lake and follows Big Beaver and West Bank trails. At Ross Dam, a short service-road connection leads toward Happy Panther; near Highway 20, a brief road walk connects to Panther Creek Trail. These connectors are part of the through route.

Panther Creek leads toward Fourth of July Pass. Thunder Creek then climbs past forest, creek and basin country to Park Creek Pass. The descent follows Park Creek and Upper Stehekin Valley before the wooded Old Wagon Trail and Pacific Crest Trail corridor reach High Bridge.

Big Beaver is a striking change of pace after the high passes: the path crosses creeks, beaver wetlands and old-growth cedar forest. Some western red cedars there are reported at more than 15 feet across and over a thousand years old. Farther south, glacier-ground rock flour gives Thunder Creek its cloudy turquoise color; openings reveal Boston Glacier and Tricouni Peak, with broad mountain views from Park Creek Pass.

Overnight camping requires a limited backcountry permit year-round, and camps are designated. The route crosses high passes where snow can linger well into summer; Park Creek Pass is steep, and an ice axe is often needed through mid-summer. Thunder Creek's ford can become unsafe during high water—do not cross in those conditions. Pets are not allowed on the national park backcountry sections, so this is not a pet route.

Hannegan Trailhead is at the end of Forest Service Road 32, about 5.5 road miles beyond its turn from Mount Baker Highway. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required for parking. At the other end, High Bridge is a shuttle stop rather than a roadhead; verify current shuttle and onward transport arrangements before committing to a finish date.