Washington's Picturesque Lake In The Cascade Mountains Is A Best-Kept Secret From Tourists

It's no secret that Washington State is covered in beautiful scenery. Visitors from all over visit The Evergreen State for stunning views of Seattle, Mount Rainier or to explore Olympic National Park, one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Few tourists, however, have seen the glistening shores of Ross Lake, a local secret tucked in the North Cascades where avid hikers, paddlers, and boating enthusiasts can escape and find themselves surrounded by crystal blue waters and snowcapped peaks covered in towering trees. 

Formed in 1949, Ross Lake is one of three reservoirs in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area on the eastern edge of North Cascades National Park. The lake stretches north, up a dammed section of the Skagit River for 22 miles to British Columbia in the green heart of the Northwest. Mountains surrounding the lake are dotted with waterfalls and ring a unique, "orphaned rock" fault zone running underneath the surface, where the North American continent came together millions of years ago. 

Access to Ross Lake is largely by water, and road access is limited to a long, circuitous drive to Hozomeen, British Columbia, south of Hope. The National Park Service notes visitors can reach the lake by kayaking or paddling 5 miles up neighboring Diablo Lake to the base of the Ross Dam, then carrying their watercraft on a mile-long road.  As it is a reservoir, be sure to check water levels on the USGS website before departing. Another option is to park at the mile-marker 134 on Highway 20, hike 1 mile from the Ross Lake Dam Trailhead, and call the Ross Lake Resort for a ferry pick-up. Be sure to have $5 for each person, or a credit card handy. The trailhead is about three hours away from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. 

While Ross Lake may be a local secret, it's no secret that the lake is often quiet and placid. In the summer and fall, compared to nearby Lake Chelan, Ross Lake has little traffic and plenty of space for a quiet day (or a weekend) on the water. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular pastimes here, despite the fact that you have to hand-carry your equipment to the lake and the water is freezing cold; at the warmest it is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For visitors who don't have their own boat (or don't want to carry it), the Ross Lake Resort rents out paddleboards, personal watercraft, fishing poles, and small motor boats for the day or weekend. Reservations are highly recommended in advance, as are wetsuits. If you do toss out a line, make sure there's a single barbless hook on the end and you aren't using live bait. Only artificial lures are allowed and the fishing is reportedly better from shore. 

Like scenic Lake Ingalls, another alpine lake in Washington with picture-perfect views, Ross Lake has  long, scenic backcountry hikes that are worth every step. For a one-of-a-kind full-day adventure, hike to a fire lookout on Desolation Peak, where beatnik author Jack Kerouac lived for a summer in 1956. The 9-mile hike starts after a boat ride (or a water taxi ride) from the Ross Lake Resort, and climbs up over 4,500 feet to breathtaking views. Backcountry camping is allowed, however you will need to have a permit, available from Recreation.gov. For miles of lakeside views and a multi-day backpacking adventure, explore the 31-mile East Bank Trail near the Canadian border. Other trails and campsites along the water are accessible via the Ross Lake Resort water taxi, however reservations are required.

Being in the heart of the North Cascades, you may be picturing accommodation as backcountry campsites with basic amenities at Ross Lake. However, camping out in nature is not your only option. The Ross Lake Resort has been operating since 1952 and features 15 floating cabins overlooking the lake's placid waters. Since the resort is only open during the short summer window, you'll have to have a bit of luck on your side to spend the night. On January 1, the resort opens its lottery for the year, and would-be visitors can specify the type of cabin, the number of days, and the time frame they plan to visit. Another option is to snag a last-minute cancellation. If there are open cabins, the resort will provide availability on its website. They're fully furnished, however there is no restaurant or camp store on site.

If you plan to camp out at one of the lake's 19 backcountry campgrounds, which are accessible by the Ross Lake Resort's water taxi, you should plan to be fully self-sufficient. While the campsites have many essentials, including fire rings, vault toilets, and bear boxes, there is no potable water. Be sure to have a filter and plan to purify or boil lake water. Also, note that there is no phone service on the lake to get regular weather updates or contact help in case of an emergency.  The resort notes that water rescues are not uncommon, and wind gusts can kick up in the afternoon.  

Apart from a $10 backcountry camping permit, the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, like neighboring North Cascades National Park, does not have an entry fee. For more quiet (and scenic) adventures before heading home, don't miss stopping in North Cascades National Park, one of America's least-visited national parks.