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14 BACKPACKER 03.2014 North Cascades NP Silver Lake At this alpine lake, with Mt. Rahm, Devils Toothpick, and Devils Thumb (left to right) biting into the sky, the scene is all serenity, still- ness, and stark beauty. The rugged, 8.5-mile trip here is something quite different. Reserve a permit from the park office and take the trail along Depot Creek from Canada (passport required). Depot Falls plunges 948 feet, alter- nating between sliding over rock and falling in a horsetail plume. You’ll get a good look as you cross beneath it on fixed cables with the spray lapping your face. Pick your way to a hang- ing valley, then ascend to fireweed-fringed Lake Ouzel at mile 6.5. Scramble 2 miles over the pass to Silver Lake. Info nps.gov/noca Viewfinder Basecamp Viewfinder Basecamp Viewfinder Basecamp Viewfinder Basecamp