Little Beaver Trail

Little Beaver Trail is North Cascades backcountry at its most uncompromising. Starting from the western shore of Ross Lake, the route threads through old-growth forest along Little Beaver Creek, crossing through dense timber and avalanche chutes as it pushes toward Whatcom Pass. This is not a manicured national park trail — expect overgrown sections where the tread disappears, downed trees blocking the path, and creek crossings that range from ankle-deep nuisances to genuine obstacles depending on snowmelt. The forest is cathedral-dark in places, with massive cedars and Douglas firs filtering the light. The payoff at Whatcom Pass is staggering: a high alpine basin ringed by glaciated peaks with views into the Chilliwack River drainage. This trail belongs to hikers who treat route-finding as part of the adventure, not an inconvenience.