--- title: "North Cascades EV Trip Pack — EV Backroads" description: "Follow Dave's Washington wish list from Mountain Loop Highway to Slate Peak. Start on graded roads. Add distance, exposure, and remote terrain in clear stages." canonical_url: "https://www.evbackroads.com/adventures/daves-special-north-cascades" last_updated: "2026-08-09" --- ![Mountain Loop Highway in Washington](/media/adventures/regions/heroes/mountain-loop-highway.webp) ![North Cascades route collection](/media/map/adventure-regions/daves-special.svg) ADVENTURE ROUTE COLLECTION · WASHINGTON # Dave's Special Follow Dave's Washington wish list from Mountain Loop Highway to Slate Peak. Start on graded roads. Add distance, exposure, and remote terrain in clear stages. QUICK READ Route stages 8 Plan length 5–8 days High point 7,152 ft Typical season Check each route Base area 48.1049, -121.3894 Save trip pack offline Print trip plan Mark plan ready DAVE'S SPECIAL COLLECTION 8 stages, in order - [01 Mountain Loop Highway easy](#stage-1) - [02 Coal Lake easy](#stage-2) - [03 Clear Creek moderate](#stage-3) - [04 Murphy Creek moderate](#stage-4) - [05 Dan's Creek — FS 24 moderate](#stage-5) - [06 Segelsen — FS 18 moderate](#stage-6) - [07 Hart’s Pass difficult](#stage-7) - [08 Slate Peak difficult](#stage-8) WHY IT FITS ## Why this progression can fit your trip. The first six routes explore Mountain Loop Highway and the forest roads north of Darrington. Hart's Pass and Slate Peak form a separate North Cascades finish near Mazama. Use a pavement transfer between the two areas. WHAT CAN CHANGE THE ANSWER Snow, fire, washouts, fallen trees, active logging, and seasonal gates can close these roads. Hart's Pass and Slate Peak have a short season. Check the live route source and the land manager before each stage. ROUTE PROGRESSION ## Add one skill at a time. Drive only the stages that fit your vehicle, experience, weather, and current access. A later stage is not a required finish. 01 easy ### Mountain Loop Highway Route distance 14 mi Allow Half day Start on the unpaved section of Mountain Loop Highway. Use the drive to check gravel braking, tire pressure, map use, and the return reserve. SKILL ADDED Build a simple forest-road baseline before the side roads. Access note: Use the live source and Forest Service notices to confirm gates, washouts, and fire restrictions. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.10493&lng=-121.38941&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/mountain-loop-yo65ym4jyq0v) ![Topographic route map for Mountain Loop Highway](/media/adventures/regions/maps/mountain-loop-highway.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Mountain Loop Highway, from start to finish Climb +288 ft Descent −1,584 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 02 easy ### Coal Lake Route distance 4.7 mi Allow 1–2 hours Add a short climb from Mountain Loop Highway. Slow down for potholes, ruts, and exposed edges. Expect weak cell service. SKILL ADDED Add a rougher surface and elevation without a long remote day. Access note: Potholes, ruts, exposure, and weak cell service can slow this short road. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.09275&lng=-121.52126&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/coal-lake-9yz3vnk7rqlk) ![Topographic route map for Coal Lake](/media/adventures/regions/maps/coal-lake-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Coal Lake, from start to finish Climb +1,785 ft Descent −24 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 03 moderate ### Clear Creek Route distance 6.8 mi Allow 2–3 hours Drive only as far as the road remains open and controlled. Inspect the upper washout and rock before you continue. SKILL ADDED Add a condition-dependent obstacle and a firm turnaround decision. Access note: The upper road can have washouts, rock, and narrow exposure. Confirm the current obstruction report before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.18811&lng=-121.57726&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/clear-creek-rezkj4pon6lk) ![Topographic route map for Clear Creek](/media/adventures/regions/maps/clear-creek-road-darrington.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Clear Creek, from start to finish Climb +1,306 ft Descent −63 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 04 moderate ### Murphy Creek Route distance 6.3 mi Allow 2–3 hours Use Murphy Creek to practice judging brush, drainage damage, and turnaround space. Stop before the overgrown upper road threatens the vehicle. SKILL ADDED Add a route where restraint matters more than technical driving. Access note: The road becomes narrow and overgrown. Stop before brush, drainage damage, or a missing turnaround threatens the vehicle. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.19763&lng=-121.55137&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/murphy-creek) ![Topographic route map for Murphy Creek](/media/adventures/regions/maps/murphy-creek-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Murphy Creek, from start to finish Climb +1,987 ft Descent −58 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 05 moderate ### Dan's Creek — FS 24 Route distance 10.4 mi Allow Half day Travel north of Darrington on a longer forest road. Keep speed low around potholes and blind corners. Be ready for brush, snow, or fallen trees. SKILL ADDED Add distance and self-recovery planning before the longest forest-road stage. Access note: Potholes, brush, fallen trees, and snow can change this road. Carry a saw only where its use is legal. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.23861&lng=-121.51647&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/dans-creek-fs-24-3l6ok2m7mqw4) ![Topographic route map for Dan's Creek — FS 24](/media/adventures/regions/maps/dans-creek-fs-24.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Dan's Creek — FS 24, from start to finish Climb +482 ft Descent −1,682 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 06 moderate ### Segelsen — FS 18 Route distance 20.8 mi Allow Full day Use Segelsen as the long Darrington stage. Yield to logging traffic and confirm the exit because the road ends at another forest road, not at pavement. SKILL ADDED Add a long remote route with traffic and navigation demands. Access note: Expect long gaps from services and active logging traffic. The route ends at another forest road, not at pavement. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.36969&lng=-121.81502&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/segelsen-fs-18-7861ko7vpzlm) ![Topographic route map for Segelsen — FS 18](/media/adventures/regions/maps/segelsen-fs-18.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Segelsen — FS 18, from start to finish Climb +2,906 ft Descent −1,630 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 07 difficult ### Hart’s Pass Route distance 12.3 mi Allow Full day Move to the Mazama area for the high-country finish. Hart's Pass is narrow, exposed, and seasonal even when the driving surface looks easy. Confirm fire and repair status before you leave pavement. SKILL ADDED Add sustained exposure, altitude, and a strict seasonal access check. Access note: Source snapshot: Seasonal Closure. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.67052&lng=-120.60102&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/washington/trails/4214-harts-pass) ![Topographic route map for Hart’s Pass](/media/adventures/regions/maps/harts-pass.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Hart’s Pass, from start to finish Climb +3,774 ft Descent −17 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 08 difficult ### Slate Peak Route distance 2.3 mi Allow Full day Continue to Slate Peak only when Hart's Pass is open and controlled. Use low speed, established pullouts, and a firm weather limit on the final high road. SKILL ADDED Finish with the highest and most exposed destination in the collection. Access note: Source snapshot: Seasonal Closure. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=48.73260&lng=-120.67487&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/washington/trails/4215-slate-peak) ![Topographic route map for Slate Peak](/media/adventures/regions/maps/slate-peak.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Slate Peak, from start to finish Climb +971 ft Descent −1 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ROUTE READINESS ## Do seven checks before you leave pavement. 01 ### surface Graded gravel, potholes, brush, washouts, and narrow shelf road 02 ### clearance Standard clearance for the first stages; extra clearance and durable tires for the later forest roads 03 ### remoteness Services and cell coverage become limited north of Darrington and near Hart's Pass 04 ### charging Plan the Mountain Loop routes and the Mazama routes as two separate charging bases 05 ### cell Coverage Download every route, closure notice, and charger stop before you leave pavement 06 ### weather Avoid active fire areas, heavy rain, early snow, and low cloud on exposed roads 07 ### turnaround Stop at the last wide, firm place before brush, washout, snow, or exposure removes a safe return BEFORE YOU GO ## Make these decisions while you have a signal. - Check Forest Service alerts and fire closures - Download both route groups and the pavement transfer - Set an energy, daylight, and weather limit for each stage TURN AROUND WHEN ## Follow the limits that you set. - A washout or fallen tree blocks a safe return - Brush hides the road edge or can damage the vehicle - Cloud, snow, fire, or battery use removes the planned margin CARRY ## Prepare for common problems. - Tire repair kit, compressor, and recovery gear - Offline maps and satellite communication - Warm layers, food, water, and a legal hand saw where appropriate ![Topographic route plate for Dave's Special](/media/adventures/regions/maps/mountain-loop-highway.webp) FEATURED ROUTE MAP Use the full trail path for orientation. Confirm current access with the land manager. OPEN THE LIVE MAP ## Check the drive home. See the route with open chargers and road-distance charging gaps. Planned stations do not change current coverage. [Build this trip plan](/plan?pack=daves-special-north-cascades)[Open near this trail](/map?lat=48.10493&lng=-121.38941&z=9&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/washington/mountain-loop-yo65ym4jyq0v)[Browse all adventure collections and trip packs](/adventures)[Share what changed after your trip](/guides/trail-commons?kind=trail&sourceAdventure=daves-special-north-cascades) ## Sitemap See the full [EV Backroads sitemap](/sitemap.md) for every published page.