Blodgett said not enough people talk about this 684,000-acre park, which is a three-hour scenic drive from Seattle.
And yet, its larch-lined valleys and pristine glacial lakes make it a must-visit spot.
“I think that’s a very underrated national park,” Blodgett told Business Insider. “The reason is that many of the most beautiful places are deep in the backcountry.”
“Because of that, it’s a really great place for hikers, and it’s still a beautiful park for anyone to visit because there are a ton of beautiful things that you don’t necessarily have to hike super deep to get to,” she added.
What stands out are the towering larch trees, bursting in shades of gold, as you pass by the Maple Pass Loop or Blue Lake. En route, there’s also the Diablo Lake Overpass, which overlooks Diablo Lake with jagged peaks known as the American Alps as a backdrop.
Peak fall period: Leaves along the byway leading to the park begin changing color in late September, with some spots peaking by mid-October.
Tree types: There are yellow Aspen, multi-colored Mountain Ash, golden larches, and red oaks, to name a few.