A THREE- OR FOUR-DAY TOUR is only an introduction to the Cascade Loop – one that opens possibilities of things to explore next time. The loop can be reached at Everett, an hour north of Seattle. From there, the route follows U.S. Highway 2 along the Skykomish River, crosses the summit at Stevens Pass, and joins the Wenatchee River down the eastern slope. Fall colors are especially spectacular along this part of the drive.

AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN, encircled by sheer, forested mountain slopes, is the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth. Beyond Leavenworth, the route enters apple-growing country and proceeds north, following U.S. 97 along the swift blue waters of the Columbia River. It then turns westward back over the range, passing through Winthrop, with its timbered Western-style false-fronts, wooden sidewalks and restaurants named Three-Fingered Jack’s and Grubstake & Co. Entering North Cascades National Park on U.S. 20, the road crosses Washington Pass among sheer granite pinnacles rising above timberline. It then follows a glacially-gouged canyon along a series of reservoirs down into the mixed coniferous forests of the lower canyon. Beyond Burlington and the urbanized Interstate 5 corridor, the loop returns to the countryside, traveling westward through produce fields and tulip farms.