Skyline Divide may be the easiest and most rewarding hikes in the North Cascades. Only 2 miles one way, 4300' - 5900'. The view is glorious. Carpets of yellow, white and blue waving in the breeze. Snowy mountain peaks in 3 directions both far and near, and one side is green hills down to North Fork Nooksack River. Baker to the south is the closest, Shuksan and Ruth to the east, Canadian peaks to the north. Only one small snow patch on the trail before reaching the ridge. Easily passable in tennis shoes. Bugs, but not too bad. I got one bite. The trail goes further 2.5 miles and ~650' up towards Baker. However, with a kid and a grandma in tow, we settled in the first patch of flowers for a picnic. Glad to be here.
Direction: the first road (FR39) east of Glacier ranger station. Turn immediately to left on to FR37. 12 miles gravel to the end. Bumpy sometimes. Clear signs. About a dozen cars around noon on this Thursday. Some campers (no running water, but enough snow).
Shell Gas station at Maple Falls is reasonably priced: $3.79/gl today. The wait at Huntington-Sumas border crossing is 30 minutes to US ~11am, and 1.3 hours to Canada ~6pm!
