North Cascades National Park: Second Day

Turquoise-colored lakes, awe-inspiring mountain views, and high cascading waterfalls are what you will find at North Cascades National Park.

Our family did a trip to the Pacific Northwest seeing Seattle, Portland, North Cascades National Park, the Columbia Gorge, and sites in between. This is what we did on our vacation, hope it helps you in planning your trip to this amazing area!

We explored the front end of the park on our first day, and on the second day, we drove through the whole park to our hotel stay at AbbyCreek Inn in Winthrop, Wa.

NEWHALEM WATERFALL

We stopped briefly at the Newhalem Waterfall along Washington Highway 20. A small pull-off on the left side of the road just after the falls allowed me to take a picture. It is a small waterfall and skippable if you have a full day of activities.

Address: Newhalem Waterfall, Rocport, WA 98283

GORGE OVERLOOK TRAIL

Next was our first hike of the day on the Gorge Overlook Trail.

This is a loop trail with a paved and unpaved section.

Hiking the paved section as an out and back and then checking out the waterfall by the highway bridge was .7 miles with 79 feet of elevation gain.

Paved and fully accessible to the turnaround point at the dam overlook.

From there a footpath with steeper grades continues through the forest for 600 yards looping back to the parking lot. We did not do the unpaved section with our son which is steep.

To the Lookout

At the start of the trail in front of the lot, a sign explains what to see on the trail and information about the trail itself.

Next, we came across a waterfall with water shooting down a narrow area on the cliffside.

Then we came to our first view of the mountains and lake far below.

*A sign provides information on the dam.*

By the lookout, the sign points out that the dam built on the Skagit River altered life in the gorge. Altering water temperatures, oxygen levels, and flow affects fish, aquatic plants, and wildlife.

A sign to the right points out the unpaved trail section. Since we had our son with us we turned around.

Heading Back

On the way back I took in the view of the dam and the electric lines that come from it.

Gorge Creek

At the front of the parking lot, we walked along the side of the highway bridge on a sidewalk, taking in the views of the rocky rapids to the lake.

We crossed the road to the other side of the bridge to look at the narrow multi-tiered falls flowing down through the rocky escarpment.

You can even look below through the metal-grated bridge decking.

Final Thoughts

With lake views and waterfalls from a short hike, this was well worth the stop. Be careful on the sidewalk along the highway since you are so close to traffic. Also, if you go past the paved section notice the trail can be steep. The restrooms are located by the parking lot.

Address: Gorge Overlook Trail, Rockport, WA 98283

WATERFALL STOP

After passing through a tunnel begin to look for a waterfall on the left. I noticed a creek entering the lake on Google Maps.

You will first pass by it on the left. Located on the right side of the road is a small pull-off.

It flows close to the road, but it was a stop, where my son can touch the water. I caution that you be careful in doing this and only if there is no traffic coming. The falls are very close to the road.

Coordinates:

Whatcom County, Washington 98283 — 48.703191, -121.190232

DIABLO DAM

Next, we took Diablo Dam Road down to the shoreline of Diablo Lake.

The dam is 389 feet high. When it was built in 1936, it was the tallest in the world. Power from the dam provides electricity for Seattle.

We parked at the last lot which is for the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.

Down to the lake we had views of far-off mountains.

Walking around the rock-strewn beach you could look in the clear water for fish.

In the distance is the ferry terminal for Ross Lake Resort, which you would have to book months in advance.

Then we headed back to Highway 20.

Note: The road is narrow across the dam. Located nearby is Colonial Creek Campground, which has

Located by the Colonial Creek Campground area are other hiking trails, but it was closed off the day we were here.

DIABLO LAKE VISTA POINT

This is one of my favorite stops with mountains and the turquoise lake view.

Lake Color

In summer, the distinctive turquoise color of the lake is the result of suspended fine rock particles refracting the sunlight.

Sign talks about the color of the water. — *Sign talks about the color of the water*.

These rock particles, called glacial flour, enter the lake when a rock from the surrounding mountains is eroded by ice and flows into the water through glacial streams.

The color is most vibrant on sunny days in July, August, and September when seasonal glacial melt occurs. We were there in early August.

What shaped the area. — *What shaped the area*.

At the Overlook

A sign describes what shaped the mountains including faults and landslides.

Then another sign talks about the watershed created by the glaciers high up in the mountains.

Looking down I saw a small rock island with a few trees on it.

Wildflowers grow along the side of the cliffs.

A relief map helps give you an idea of the landscape.

Looking away from the lakes you can see up to the tops of the mountains.

Address: Diablo Lake Vista Point, State Route 20, Rockport, WA 98283

HAPPY CREEK TRAIL

The next stop was the parking lot for Happy Creek Trail.

This is a .4 mile walk mostly on a boardwalk through an old-growth forest.

A sign at the start gives information on the history, wildlife, and plants along the trail.

The trail ends at a marker. For a longer walk at this location, you can follow a 2-mile roundtrip (3.21 km) spur trail to Happy Creek Falls further up the mountainside.

We stopped for a moment at the creek that churns close by.

Walking back my husband noticed how a tree branch looked like a bird.

Near the start of the trail, I noticed a waterfall created by lodged logs caught by growth and a boulder.

Final Thoughts

The short hike allowed us to explore a forest and bubbling brook and well worth the stop.

Address: Happy Creek Trailhead, Rockport, WA 98283

ROSS LAKE OVERLOOK

This view includes information on how glaciers change the landscape. In the distance is Ross Lake.

I was able to see a glacier-filled peak rising above the trees.

Address: Ross Lake Overlook, Rockport, WA 98283

ALONG THE DRIVE

I noticed a waterfall flowing near the road, so we stopped. It was a wide cascade, almost like an outdoor shower. We let Andrew play in it for a bit. I couldn’t locate it on Google Maps though, It is between Ross Lake Overlook and East Bank Trailhead.

EAST BANK TRAILHEAD

We stopped here briefly to check out the rapid-filled Ruby Creek. You can do a long hike from this trailhead, but we just wanted to have a chance to walk along the cascades.

Address: East Bank Trailhead, Rockport, WA 98283

RAINY PASS TRAIL

This is my favorite hike that leads to a crystal clear mountain lake. It is a two-mile paved trail with 148 feet of elevation gain.

Rainy Lake trail sign with other trails designated on it.

At the Trailhead

Other trails meet here, so follow signs going left from the lot.

You can also walk some of the Pacific Crest Trail, although you could never do it all in one day, it is 2,650 miles.

I took a picture of the map to gain an idea of elevation gain and where we were going.

Start of Trail

Next, we came to a sign that says Fee Area. This trailhead requires a $5 day use fee, but we used our National Park Pass, which we hang up in the car.

We continue following the signs for the trail.

A sign along the trail talks about Mountain Hemlock. — A *sign along the trail talks about Mountain Hemlock.*

Hiking to the Lake

Along the trail are information signs. One talks about the Mountain Hemlock.

I come across some purple flowers along the way.

Then we walk through a stand of trees over the path.

A creek cascades down through the rocks.

Rainy Lake

Finally, we come to Rainy Lake. Surrounded by glacier-topped peaks and waterfalls flowing down to it from all directions.

Along the shoreline on the other side of the lake, you can see ice that is fallen down to the shoreline.

The water was clear and freezing cold.

A sign along the overlook talks about glacial cirques.

After taking in the views, we headed back.

Final Thoughts

This hike is not to be missed if you are doing the drive. At two miles it feels like you are doing a real hike in the mountains and the photos don’t do the views justice.

Address: Rainy Pass Picnic Site and Trailhead, Hwy 20 N Cascades Hwy, Winthrop, WA 98862

WASHINGTON PEAK LOOKOUT

This stop is the highest point along the drive at 5,500 feet and is the last place you can see the mountains from this height as you head down into the valley below.

This stop also requires a $5 fee and again we used our national park pass.

*Information board on the building of the highway through the pass.*

At the start are information about the area and the highway.

Loop Trail

From parking, you can do a .25-mile loop trail at the front of the lot for spectacular views.

The first part of the trail is nearly flat.

*Highway snaking through the pass below.*

Washington Peak rises 2,000 feet above Highway 20 below.

Jagged ridgelines fall away in succession; Vasiliki Ridge, Snagtooth Ridge, and Kangaroo Ridge.

After the trail’s first overlook the route gets a little steeper. A set of stairs, some natural granite outcrops, and a steepish section of pavement make this trail more of a challenge as you wind your way back to the parking lot.

*My son taking a moment for a photo at the overlook.*

Final Thoughts

This is a short hike that is worth the views. Closed in wintertime. The restrooms are by the parking lot.

Address: Washington Pass Observation Site, Mazama, WA 98833

HEADING TO WINTHROP

Before heading down into the valley we stopped for a moment at where the snow had come down from the top. Normally, Andrew does not get to play around the snow in mid-August in the Midwest.