Thunder Knob in the North Cascades

Thunder Knob is located along Highway 20 on the western edge of the North Cascades and we stop to experience the hike as we travel back home from Winthrop.  The trail climbs from Colonial Creek along Thunder Creek and Thunder Arm to Diablo Lake, offering views of the lake and Diablo Dam.  

We find the trail head in the campground and start up, crossing Colonial Creek over a metal bridge that is only available in the warmer seasons (at times, the creek is high and fast-flowing and the national park service removes the bridge).

Trailhead

Crossing the creek

Starting up

Initial views of the lake

Continuing up

Views of surrounding peaks

At the end of the trail, we have views of Diablo Lake in many directions.  The lake is a reservoir created by Diablo Dam, part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project and managed by Seattle City Light to provide power to Seattle, 177 miles (285 km) away.  The valley was formed by runoff from the Cordilleran Glacier and the beautiful turquoise hue of the lake's water is attributed to glaciers grinding rocks in to glacial flour that remains suspended in the lake.

Diablo Lake

Surrounding peaks

We enjoy the view, then return to the trailhead (and our car) and continue our drive back home (passing through Seattle in the late afternoon to add to the experience) from our short stop in the North Cascades.

Returning, along and over Colonial Creek

It's been a great few days and this is another place to which we will return!

Heading Toward Blue Lake in the North Cascades

Blue Lake sits a little over two trail miles from Highway 20.  This hike toward the lake features towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and, of course, incredible views of the surrounding peaks.  At the trailhead, a sign discusses serious alpine climbing opportunities in the mountains.  We opt for the trail, instead of the straight-up-the rock-face alpine options, which heads up with about 1,050 feet (320 meters) of elevation change.

Trail or Climb

The trail starts out over boardwalks through the forest along the highway and then turns away from the highway and starts to head up to the lake.

Forest boardwalk

Trail up

Initial views

The trail continues up toward the lake.

Continuing up

Expansive views

Near the peak, we savor the views and the clear air on this beautiful day and start our descent back to the trailhead.

Heading back down

Enjoying the views

At the trailhead, we find that the parking lot has filled up while we were hiking and cars are parked along Highway 20 as people enjoy the trails and the hikes.

Overflowing onto the highway

View from highway level

Another great day in the North Cascades!

Cedar Falls and Cutthroat Lake in the North Cascades

The trail to Cedar Falls passes through a burn scar leading to a waterfall on Cedar Creek.  The signs at the trailhead identify the brook trout that can be caught in the creek

Fish available

We park and start up along the creek through the burned-out, regrowing forest.

Starting up along the creek

Reaching Cedar Falls, we walk past the two-tier waterfall and along rapids a bit and then back to the main falls to enjoy the rushing water.

Cedar Falls

We return to the trail head and drive down Highway 20 a few more miles to the trailhead for Cutthroat Lake, following Cutthroat Creek to the lake.  The trail continues past the lake up to Cutthroat Pass (several hours later) where it joins the Pacific Crest Trail toward Canada (and Mexico in the other direction, much farther away).  We're only on our way toward the lake today.

Returning from the falls

Trailhead, watch out for mountain goats

We cross Cutthroat Creek and follow the trail along the creek toward the lake. 

View from the trailhead

Crossing Cutthroat Creek

Along the Trail

Views of Cutthroat Pass

As we approach the lake, we find our way blocked by a fast-flowing stream that is precarious to cross and we declare victory and turn back a short ways before the lake.  Another day (or at lower water levels), we might walk across on the logs, but we (and the others on the trail) turn around at this point today.

Stream blocking the path

We return to the trailhead and then to Winthrop to think about dinner.

Heading back

Following the two creeks, reaching the falls (and, almost the lake) makes a great combination for the day.