North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park, 504,781 acres (204,436 hectares), N Washington. Located in the Cascade Range, the park has outstanding alpine scenery, including high jagged peaks, glaciers, icefalls, hanging valleys, and mountain lakes in high glacial cirques. Western slopes are rainy, with rain forests and other luxuriant vegetation; the eastern slopes are drier. Lake Chelan and Ross Lake national recreation areas adjoin the park, which was established in 1968. See National Parks and Monuments (table).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.