The Brief
- Every autumn, larch trees in the North Cascades briefly turn golden, drawing global crowds of hikers for a phenomenon known as “Larch Madness.”
- The surge in visitors has led to severe parking shortages along Highway 20, causing safety hazards from vehicles parked along the narrow shoulders and pedestrians walking near traffic.
- WSDOT and law enforcement have lowered speed limits, posted no-parking signs, and issued warnings of $50 fines or towing, urging hikers to park legally and bring backup plans.
MAZAMA, Wash. – It’s a gold rush in the North Cascades, where a fleeting fall spectacle is drawing hikers from around the world.
Every autumn, larch trees turn brilliant shades of gold, creating a stunning display that lasts just a matter of days. The phenomenon has earned the nickname “Larch Madness,” with visitors flocking to the mountains hoping to catch the colors before they disappear.
But all that beauty is creating a problem along Highway 20, where crowded trailheads and haphazard parking have prompted safety concerns from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
A fleeting fall spectacle
The backstory:…