This 25-mile point-to-point in North Cascades National Park weaves past electric wildflower displays and climbs to an airy, 6,525-foot alpine pass.

The North Cascades' rough and remote reputation keeps even the hint of crowds away, making it a cinch to score big-ticket solitude and scenery even on a short schedule. Here's your weekend plan: Beeline to the easier-access South Unit for this 25-mile highlight reel that weaves past electric wildflower displays in July, climbs to an airy, 6,525-foot alpine pass, and tracks through giant western hemlock and Douglas fir.

Drop a car at the Thunder Creek trailhead before starting at the Easy Pass trailhead. The trail zigzags along its namesake creek, then scales the eastern flanks of Ragged Ridge, gaining nearly 3,000 feet of elevation to the misleadingly named Easy Pass. At the top, pause for front-row views of Mount Logan's glaciated slopes framed by stands of subalpine larch (golden in fall).

Next, descend roughly 30 switchbacks into Fisher Creek Basin—home to black bears and the occasional moose. Just past Fisher Camp, the route dips back into forest on the 11.3-mile stretch to Junction Camp. The next day, descend 10.2 miles north through Thunder Creek Valley to your shuttle car.

DISTANCE: 25 miles

TIME REQUIRED: 2 days

DIFFICULTY: Strenuous

CONTACT: North Cascades National Park, (360) 569-2211; nps.gov/noca

THE PAYOFF: North Cascades' perfect weekend.

TRAILHEAD GPS: 48.588205, -120.803068

FINDING THE TRAILHEAD: Thunder Creek trailhead/end: From Marblemount, go 25 miles east on WA 20. The trailhead is 20 minutes southeast of Ross Dam; parking is on the right-hand side. Easy Pass trailhead/start: From Marblemount, go 46 miles east on WA 20. Trailhead parking is on the right-hand side.

WAYPOINTS & DIRECTIONS

GPS: 48.588205, -120.803068 From the Easy Pass trailhead, hike south, then southwest.

GPS: 48.585777, -120.804784 Start switchback climb along Easy Creek, which ascends the eastern flanks of Ragged Ridge. Prepare to gain nearly 3,000 feet of elevation to the misleadingly named Easy Pass.

GPS: 48.572007, -120.843451 Easy Pass. At the top, pause for front-row views of Mount Logan's glaciated slopes framed by stands of subalpine larch (golden in fall). Next, descend roughly 30 switchbacks into Fisher Creek Basin.

GPS: 48.567989, -120.853499 End of switchback descent. From here, the route turns west and follows Fisher Creek. Fisher Camp is located in this basin.

GPS: 48.574364, -120.987303 Cross Logan Creek.

GPS: 48.584806, -121.018466 Continue straight at three-way junction. Spend the night at Junction Camp, located at this intersection with Thunder Creek Trail. In the morning start the descent north on through Thunder Creek Valley on the Thunder Creek Trail.

GPS: 48.671650, -121.068609 Continue straight at three-wayjunction as the Fourth of July Trail joins the Thunder Creek Trail.

GPS: 48.673573, -121.072203 Turn left and cross footbridge over Thunder Creek.

GPS: 48.684416, -121.092081 Bear left at Y junction.

GPS: 48.688556, -121.096362 Route ends at Thunder Creek trailhead and parking area. Shuttle back to the Easy Pass trailhead.