2026 Fall Gathering
Event Details
North Cascades Institute invites you to join us for an elevated autumn gathering at the Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake as we continue to celebrate our 40th Anniversary: Deep Roots, Bright Future.
Set within one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the Pacific Northwest, this special weekend brings together community, place, and purpose through shared meals, meaningful conversation, and time in nature.
This year’s Fall Gathering features naturalist and writer David B. Williams, whose work reveals the hidden geological and human stories embedded in the landscapes we call home.
The Weekend Experience
Arrive Saturday afternoon and settle into the Environmental Learning Center overlooking Diablo Lake. As autumn simmers across the North Cascades, take time to unwind, connect with fellow guests, and enjoy the quiet beauty of this remarkable landscape.
In the evening, gather for a specially-prepared seasonal dinner, paired with a curated selection of regional beverages, including beer, wine, and thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic options, served in our lakeside dining hall.
The evening continues with a featured presentation from David B. Williams who invites us to see the Cascades through a deeper lens in his forthcoming book In the Range of Fire and Ice: Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades. Blending geology, ecology, and human history, he reveals a landscape shaped by volcanoes and glaciers, as well as Indigenous stewardship, industry, and ongoing change. His talk offers a vivid way of understanding the Cascades not as a backdrop, but as a living story of fire, ice, and enduring connection.
On Sunday morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast and grab a brown-bag lunch to enjoy later in the day. Guests may choose from a selection of guided outdoor explorations in the Diablo Lake area led by our staff naturalists. Additionally, we are happy to recommend a local trail for you to explore at your own pace.
Optional Early Arrival: Friday Base Camp
Extend your experience with an optional Friday night stay at the Environmental Learning Center.
Arrive early for a relaxed evening in community, including dinner and overnight lodging, and begin your weekend already immersed in the rhythms of Diablo Lake. This add-on is ideal for guests traveling from a distance or those wishing to ease more fully into the experience.
What’s Included
- Saturday evening seasonal dinner with a curated beverage selection
- Sunday breakfast and brown-bag lunch
- Saturday night lodging at the Environmental Learning Center
- Evening presentation with David B. Williams
- Optional Sunday naturalist-led experience
Join Us
*Note: There is a very limited number of single-occupancy rooms available to make room for more guests for this special weekend. Call (360) 854-2599 to check availability.
Space is limited for this special seasonal gathering, and early registration is encouraged.