Forum Index > Trip Reports > Cow Heaven (right above Marblemount) 7/20/08
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yew
non-technical



Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1173 | TRs | Pics
Location: Bellingham
yew
non-technical
PostMon Jul 21, 2008 8:05 pm 
This is Trail # 763. The trailhead is about 1/2 beyond the NPS info center in Marblemount. This trail is surprisingly nice at low elevations. Beautiful old growth forest, interesting rocks outcrops and a creek with waterfalls that runs next to the trail in spots for the first 2 miles or so.
cool looking big rocks on the Cow Heaven trail near Marblemount
cool looking big rocks on the Cow Heaven trail near Marblemount
waterfall next to the Cow Heaven trail
waterfall next to the Cow Heaven trail
creek on the Cow Heaven trail
creek on the Cow Heaven trail
This trail would be a good springtime hike to the snowline to get some exercise hiking the many switchbacks and see waterfalls and nice forest. Snow patches start at about 1 - 3/4 mile from the top and they're only in a shaded saddle. The trails is a rocky, rooted drainage ditch in spots. There are no blowdowns for about the first 1.5 miles then there are about 10 after that. 1 or 2 clumps of blowdowns require a bit of detour or crawling. Mosquitoes harrassed the last mile or so. Saw 2 piles of feathers on the side of the trail. It looked like a woodpecker and gray jay got whacked by a predator. There are decent campsites up top but no water besides snow, atleast from what I saw. I bushwhacked for 5 minutes to the top of the knob to the east for great views.
the North Cascades Highway valley from Cow Heaven
the North Cascades Highway valley from Cow Heaven
North Cascades national Park from Cow Heaven
North Cascades national Park from Cow Heaven
penstemon, lupine and tiger lily on Cow Heaven
penstemon, lupine and tiger lily on Cow Heaven
from Cow Heaven near Marblemount, Washington
from Cow Heaven near Marblemount, Washington
Marblemount and North Cascade Highway / SR 20 valley from Cow Heaven
Marblemount and North Cascade Highway / SR 20 valley from Cow Heaven
daisey like flowers I still need to look up near Cow Heaven
daisey like flowers I still need to look up near Cow Heaven
Cow Heaven brushy subalpine areas
Cow Heaven brushy subalpine areas
Marblemount and Cascade River Rd from Cow Heaven
Marblemount and Cascade River Rd from Cow Heaven
The trail is steepest down low. It's a 4000+ foot elevation gain. Lots of switchbacks!

"I aint jokin woman, I got to ramble...We gonna go walkin through the park every day." - Led Zeppelin
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Cow Heaven (right above Marblemount) 7/20/08
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