Horseshoe Basin Trail

This is North Cascades backcountry at its most rewarding and most demanding. The journey starts from the Stehekin Valley — already one of the most remote trailheads in the Lower 48, accessible only by boat, float plane, or a very long walk. From there, you'll climb steadily through old-growth forest before the trees thin and the basin opens up like a natural amphitheater ringed by jagged peaks and hanging glaciers. The elevation gain is relentless but never technical — just honest uphill grinding on a well-worn path. By the time you reach the basin floor, you're standing in one of the most spectacular alpine bowls in Washington, with wildflower meadows carpeting the ground in late summer and waterfalls streaming off the surrounding walls. This trail belongs to strong hikers who don't mind earning every single view.