Horseshoe Basin Pasayten Wilderness

If you're looking for a spectacular location to enjoy hiking or camping in the Pacific Northwest, Horseshoe Basin Pasayten Wilderness might be the perfect spot for you.

The vast Pasayten Wilderness consists of more than half a million acres in Washington State. Horseshoe Basin, which lies within North Cascades National Park, is among the most popular areas within the vast alpine wilderness for campers and hikers alike.

To catch a glimpse of the beauty of the Pasayten Wilderness, visit the U.S. Forest Service's website. You'll find a real-time image that is updated every 15 minutes. You can also see 24-hour sequences of images of the wilderness on the site.

Before setting out to hike to the basin, visit the Outdoor Recreation Information Center (ORIC) housed in the Seattle REI store. Operated jointly by the National Park and National Forest Services, the ORIC has a wealth of information about all types of outdoor activities throughout Washington, Oregon, and other areas. You'll be able to obtain maps of the area as well as other information that can help prepare you for hiking or camping in this part of the Pasayten Wilderness.

There are campsites located throughout that make perfect overnight spots for backpackers who plan to stay over in the basin. Those who plan to spend the night in this part of Pasayten Wilderness are required to limit their camping to the established sites. If you plan to stay overnight in the basin, you must make reservations and obtain a camping permit for the backcountry. Permits are available from the North Cascade National Park visitor centers located in Marblemount and Stehekin.

If you'd rather stay in a more developed camping area, Cottonwood Campground is close by. This free campground is operated by Washington State's Department of Natural Resources. Reservations are not accepted, and the facility is open only during the summer months. Many day hikers choose to leave their vehicles at Cottonwood Campground, which is less than three miles by foot from the entrance of the hiking trail leading to Horseshoe Basin.

Horseshoe Basin is open only seasonally. The trail can be accessed from July through the middle of October each year. It's important for visitors to know that Cascade Basin is not handicap accessible. No types of vehicles are allowed, including mountain bikes. Dogs and horses are also prohibited from the trail.

The trail can be accessed from both the east and west sides of North Cascade National Park. Regardless of the direction you're traveling, you'll be able to catch glimpses of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the basin. Once you reach the Horseshoe Basin Trail, you'll have 1.5 more miles to hike to reach the basin itself. The scenery leading to the basin is gorgeous, and what you see when you arrive is sure to astound you. The basin has very few trees, providing hikers with a clear view of the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers.

If you're interested in reading about other people's experiences with hiking and camping in the area, see NWHikers.net. Several people have posted trip reports and photos, so you'll have an opportunity to benefit from their first-hand experiences before you set off on your own adventure in the Horseshoe Basin Pasayten Wilderness.

The Pasayten Wilderness is managed by the National Forest Service, and information about the area is available from the stations responsible for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. Details specific to Horseshoe Basin are available from the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

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