Desolation Peak Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Historical Significance · Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Desolation Peak is a steep, dry, and remote trail located deep in North Cascades National Park. You can only get here by running 18 miles along the East Bank Trail--or by boating in from Ross Lake Resort (south end) or Hozomeen Camground and International Point (north end).

Backcountry permits from North Cascades National Park are required for overnight use. There is no reliable water available on the trail, so bring plenty.

The trailhead is a boat dock located on the east shore, about a 1/4 of a mile north of Cat Island. A pit toilet is available here. From there the trail wastes no time going steeply uphill. It climbs 1,000 feet per mile through a shaded forest and then breaks out near an open ridge among a fantastic display of wildflowers (mid-late July).

About halfway up there is a spring and small creek, but it may not be a reliable source as the summer progresses on. On the ridge top (before mile 4 where the trail turns north), you'll find a backcountry camp with no water available.

Upon reaching the summit, you'll be rewarded with views of Little Jackass Mountain, Hozomeen Mountain, Skagit Peak, Nohokomeen Glacier, and the lovely fjord-like Ross Lake. The lookout is a popular destination made famous by Jack Kerouac who spent 63 days here during the summer of 1956 as a fire lookout and wrote about his experiences here.

Paintbrush, Tiger Lilly, and a wide range of other wildflowers.