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<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo by Gary Paull  (click to enlarge) North Cascades scenery is hard to beat.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, July 21, 2008 Celebrate North Cascades park anniversary, or take a hike Whether celebrating its 40th anniversary or first appearance, activities in the North Cascades can fill a weekend. The North Cascades National Park Service Complex celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and has scheduled a variety of events to celebrate. Campers are encouraged to pitch a tent at Newhalem Creek Campground, where Saturday evening programs featuring local historians commemorate the anniversary on Aug. 2, 9 and 23. Beforehand, visitors can go on a walking tour of Newhalem, float down the Skagit River or hike numerous trails. Prior registration for 40th anniversary activities is not offered and group size for some events is limited. For directions or details on the park, go to www.nps.gov/noca/. Meanwhile, the Snoqualmie Ranger District in North Bend in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest launched a new guided nature walk Saturday. Visitors may see osprey, beaver, elk and landlocked sockeye salmon on the walk to Gold Creek Pond. The ranger-guided trek takes participants on a mile-long, 90-minute paved loop with no climbing involved. The nature walks are offered at 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 14. Reservations are required and a $10 donation is requested. Call the forest service visitor information center at 425-434-6111, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday, to reserve a spot. Herald staff

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