Bridge at Marblemount across the Skagit River (photo by “brewbrooks” on Flickr).

Located at the confluence of the Skagit and Cascade rivers, Marblemount is home to the National Park Service's Wilderness Ranger station. The station is the place to head for backcountry permits and to get information about current trail and road conditions. At the east end of town you can take the 23 mile Cascade River Road to some of the preeminent hiking trails in the North Cascades, including Cascade Pass and Horseshoe Basin. Marblemount is the first full-service community you reach on the western slope of the Cascades. It is a great place to make base camp as you explore the North Cascades National Park.