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!