North Cascades — Rainy Pass Trailhead and Overlook

Rainy Pass sits on the North Cascades Highway (SR-20) between Mazama and Marblemount, and it’s a genuine stunner. The trailhead parking area gives you immediate access to the PCT heading both north toward Harts Pass and south toward Glacier Peak Wilderness — serious country. The short paved trail to Rainy Lake is flat and quick; the views opening toward the Cascades above are anything but. This is where you stop, stretch, fill water at the lake, and reality-check your gear before pushing deeper into the Methow or up toward Harts Pass.

Highway 20 closes each winter — typically November through April — so this is a summer and fall access point only. No overnight camping at the trailhead lot itself, but dispersed options exist on USFS land nearby. Pit toilets on site. Fills up with day hikers on weekends; overlanders typically roll through early morning or late afternoon. Cell signal is essentially zero here.

PCT gateway at 4,855 ft on Hwy 20.