This trail was in really good shape. The visitor center at North Cascades was not open yet but I was still able to use the parking lot to access this hike.
All of the elevation is right at the beginning/end of the hike near the visitor center. After dropping down into the forest, it was easy to find the correct path.
The trail loops through what felt like two different types of forest and you can hear the river much of the walk. It was also lightly raining for me and it made the experience magical.
Very beautiful and I highly recommend it as a quick must see.
#HiketheState

  Hike number five today. This trail is located on the backside of The North Cascades Visitor Center off Highway 20. There is a little sign that say River Loop Trail. The nicer signs are found along the trail. A few feet in from the beginning of this trail starts off with a gradual downhill then levels off for the rest of the loop until you head backup to the same hill to the parking lot. This hike is all in the forest and one quarter of it is along the Skagit River so come prepared if its hot and you want to take a dip. Be careful if the river is running strong as it is Glacier Water and hyperthermia can set in within 30 minutes even if the outside temperature is in the 80's. I just take along a microfiber towel to cool off my head. This trail goes through a section of burnt forest from a previous fire so this section has minimal shade. Please ensure you take plenty of water and rest on all the benches supplied as needed. Checkout the video of this hike by clicking on the video below or checkout my Vimeo Channel by clicking on the other User Link below for 100's of other hikes done in Washington State.

As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking!

Take Care,

Mike

What a beautiful day at North Cascades National Park. We started on the River Loop Trail from the visitors center. We saw tiger lilies in this area and a few other little ground flowers. Huckleberries ripe all over. Then we headed toward Newhalem taking the Linking Trail to Trail of the Cedars. So many cool bridges! Once in Newhalem we stopped to use the bathroom and then went to Ladder Creek Falls where there are lots of flowers in bloom. That area is worth it to stop and see. Lots of stairs and uphill at Ladder Creek Falls. Overall we did 5.5 miles and that includes walking around Newhalem. Highly recommend linking them all together to make it a longer hike and worthwhile to see all the fun bridges. 

Fantastic area for short lowland hikes to avoid crowds in the summer or to stretch your legs snow free in the winter.

1) Ladder Creek Falls - We'll defined path that starts with a beautiful bridge over the Skagit. The trail does have some incline but has railings along the way. The interpretive signs paint a unique picture of how this area was used at it's origin. Really nice trail.

2) Trail of the Cedars - We parked in front of the Inn. Then crossed a bridge over the Skagit. From there the trail is a loop, we went clockwise. The trail lives up to its name and has beautiful cedars and nice views of the river. Wide path with relatively no elevation gain.

3) Rock Shelter - We linked trail of the cedars with rock shelter and the Skagit river loop. There is good signage in the area with maps that can help you stay out of your car and explore the area as a whole. The Rock Shelter trail starts off a gravel road from the campground and then has a slightly steep but short grade. Once it levels off it ends at a boardwalk overlooking the creek and the shelter. There are interpretive signs explaining the cultural history of the site.

4) Skagit River Loop - Nice trail especially when the campground is empty. The trail does wind very closely to campsites. It also goes along some big trails and has nice views of the Skagit river.

All facilities are closed but campground and visitor center still accessible for parking. There is a restroom open in Newhalem across from the store if needed. A few tree blow downs but nothing too difficult to navigate. Combine this trail with Rock Shelter and Trail of the Cedars to make a 4 mile loop. Use the All Trails app to see how to connect the various trails and forest roads. If you want a little bit of hill work and a view head up the Newhalem Creek Road near the Visitor Center. Road ends at 1.5 mile sby a waterfall and a landslide area.