National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Support the National Park Service
North Cascades National Park Service ComplexGlacier
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
North Cascades National Park Service Complex
Natural Features & Ecosystems
Nature and Science
Diablo Lake is nestled among the mountains at the heart of the park complex.
Steep mountains coupled with an amazing variety of rock and water features contribute to the region's tremendous biodiversity. The mountains rise steeply to 9,206ft (2,806m) at Goode Mountain and fall to valley floors as low as 400ft (122m) along the Skagit River at the Complex’s west boundary. From the park's glaciers and over 300 lakes and ponds, flow thousands of miles of rivers and streams. Several major watersheds flow from the North Cascades including those of the Skagit, Stehekin and Nooksack rivers. The Skagit River and its tributary streams comprise the largest watershed draining into Puget Sound. Variation in elevation, soil types, rainfall and exposure combine to form eight distinctive life zones from the lowland forests and wetlands to the alpine peaks and glaciers.
lupine is a common flower in dry sunny areas  

Did You Know?
In addition to Wilderness, Recreation Areas and National Park designations there are also five Research Natural Areas in the complex: Silver Lake, Pyramid Lake, Boston Glacier, Stetattle Creek and Big Beaver Valley.

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: August 31, 2006 at 15:28 EST