Pinnacles of the dramatic and rugged North Cascades pierce a blanket of clouds to bask in the evening light. The crests of Sahale Arm and distant Johannesburg Mountain have hidden on their lower flanks hanging glaciers and the most diverse flora found in any national park. The North Cascades Complex, which includes Ross Lake National Recreation Area, was created by an act of Congress in 1968. Twenty years later more than 90% of the area received wilderness designation, a level of protection that exceeds even National Park status.