Local Guides World
Dylan Goss
2 reviews on 1 places
This was one of my favorite parts about my recent drive from Everett into Winthrop. I passed this trail the last time I was here because I was getting my bearings around the park. There are plenty of SUV, car and RV parking. You can access the Gorge Lake viewpoint on the other side of highway 20, but I recommend you park in the additional parking spots to the right of the Gorge Overlook trail instead. The viewpoint for Gorge Overlook was beautiful with an amazing waterfall at the bottom of the rivers canyon. This is an easy hike which looks like it may intercept with the Gorge Hydroelectric Dam trail.
This trail was absolutely beautiful. Having never visited the North Cascades before, I wanted a trail that was relatively easy to hike on but also scenic too, and this one didn't disappoint. About eight miles from the Newhalem Visitor's Center in Marble mount, you'll want to arrive early to get a parking space, as there is very little parking close to the Colonial Creek Campground. I arrived at 745 approximately, having left Everett around 545 in the morning.
There are no gas stations in the North Cascades, so do gas up! The last gas station before you enter this national park is the Shell Gas station in Darrington, off of main street. Make sure to pack some food, and plenty of water. And also, bug spray and having pepper spray on hand is a good idea as well.
You start the hike off walking through the Colonial Creek Campground to where the trailhead marker for Thunder Knob Trail is. After crossing some rocks near the Ross River, you cross a metal bridge. Only one person at a time! The river is so beautiful to listen to. After fifteen minutes you begin ascending the side of the mountain to where the views of Diablo Lake are amazing! I went on for another hour, and the terrain was relatively easy to hike on. No dogs allowed though to this trailhead I believe. I'll definitely be back soon this year! All in all, a beautiful hike in the alpine wilderness that took about an hour and fifteen minutes to the rockier side of the trail before I turned around and hiked back to my car.
There are no gas stations in the North Cascades, so do gas up! The last gas station before you enter this national park is the Shell Gas station in Darrington, off of main street. Make sure to pack some food, and plenty of water. And also, bug spray and having pepper spray on hand is a good idea as well.
You start the hike off walking through the Colonial Creek Campground to where the trailhead marker for Thunder Knob Trail is. After crossing some rocks near the Ross River, you cross a metal bridge. Only one person at a time! The river is so beautiful to listen to. After fifteen minutes you begin ascending the side of the mountain to where the views of Diablo Lake are amazing! I went on for another hour, and the terrain was relatively easy to hike on. No dogs allowed though to this trailhead I believe. I'll definitely be back soon this year! All in all, a beautiful hike in the alpine wilderness that took about an hour and fifteen minutes to the rockier side of the trail before I turned around and hiked back to my car.