William Dietrich has explored the North Cascades ecosystem for decades. He has climbed Mount Baker, and puffed up countless switchbacks. He loves the mountains and he lives near them. Yet, when he started work on a book on the North Cascades, “I was surprised how little I knew,” he said.
“The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby” was published recently. An event to celebrate the book is Wednesday in Everett.
The book reminds people about the wilderness just hours from major cities. The North Cascades are so much more than North Cascades National Park. It’s a huge ecosystem, and many parts of it are protected and intact, like the park, but others are not.
Dietrich’s essay (Read an excerpt) on the cultural and natural history is combined with a series of profiles by Christian Martin. Martin takes a look at a diverse group of people who live, work, play and teach in the North Cascades. Craig Romano, the author of many hiking guidebooks, offers practical advice to those who want to hike, paddle or otherwise explore the North Cascades (read an excerpt).
Martin said he hopes the profile helps people see the value of the ecosystem, beyond board feet and dollars. Athletic challenges, science, education and inspiration are all important resources in the region.
Martin talks to people who find value in the ecosystem that’s hard to quantify. He profiles Molly Hashimoto, an artist whose works have been inspired by the beauty of the North Cascades. He also features Fred Beckey, a true icon of the climbing world in general and the North Cascades in particular.
While the authors all say it slightly different, they all have the same basic hope. They hope the book inspires people to care for the North Cascades. The area has had many tireless supporters, but many of them are aging and it is important that new stewards take up the cause.
“I hope the book introduces more people who aren’t familiar with the North Cascades to inspire broadened awareness of the gifts of this ecosystem, as well as inspire future stewards of the area,” Martin said.
Craig Romano, who has hiked countless miles in the North Cascades, said he hopes people see how special it is to have such a fairly intact, wild ecosystem on the fringes of two major metropolitan areas. It creates both opportunities and challenges.
“I hope too this book serves as an invitation for folks from all walks of life to explore this incredible landscape in our back yard and reconnect to nature and be motivated to help protect it,” he said.
If you go
A book release for “The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby” is 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Auditorium at Everett Community College. Dietrich, Martin and Romano will all speak and present a slide show. The event will be led by Peter Jackson, son of Sen. Henry Jackson. Admission is by donation.
Explore: the Mountain Loop Highway
The Mountain Loop Highway meanders for more than 50 miles along the south forks of the Stillaguamish and Sauk rivers, connecting Granite Falls and Darrington. This roadway probably provides more hiking, fishing, and camping choices per mile than any other road in the North Cascades. From its array of trails, explore ancient forests, soaring summits, wild rivers, thundering waterfalls, alpine lakes, flowering meadows, and historical mining towns and fire lookouts.
Hike: Lake Twentytwo
Waterfall-fed Lake Twentytwo is perched in a big basin beneath 5,340-foot Mount Pilchuck’s sheer north face. The embracing forest is equally impressive. Follow a kid-friendly trail alongside Twentytwo Creek through colonnades of giants.
Roundtrip: 5.4 miles. Elevation gain: 1,350 feet. Difficulty: Moderate. Trailhead: Mountain Loop Highway, 13 miles from Granite Falls.
Hike: Goat Lake
Set within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, Goat Lake boasts fine views, good swimming, family-friendly camping, and a lot of history. It was once the site of a bustling mining operation, complete with company town and lakeside hotel. Though more than 10 miles, this loop hike is a fairly gentle journey through impressive forest alongside roaring Elliot Creek.
Roundtrip: 10.4 miles. Elevation gain: 1,400 feet. Difficulty: Moderate. Trailhead: From Granite Falls, drive Mountain Loop Highway 35 miles, turn right on Forest Road 4080, drive 0.8 mile.
— Craig Romano, excerpt from “The North Cascades”
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