Created by Seattle City Light's damming of the Skagit River in 1930, Diablo Lake is a man-made reservoir. Photos (245) Directions. The drive from the city to the entrance of the park takes 2 hours. East Bank and Desolation Trail. We continually seek ways to provide recreational opportunities for people of all abilities and welcome any suggestions you may have. Very crowded 2 night stay at lightning creek complete with uptight powertripping stay at home moms who thought they were entitled to the best spots. Furthermore, only the Maple Pass Loop starts next to the main highway. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The viewpoint is located just near the car park, so a photo stop here doesnt require much time. 15 EPIC Things to Do in North Cascades National Park With just one day in North Cascades, we recommend considering the Blue Lake trail, which starts just a mile down the road from Washington Pass overlook. Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Our store hours may change to better serve our communities and in accordance with local government mandates. United States Washington Ross Lake National Recreation Area Diablo Lake Overlook. Please contact the park if you plan to arrive in the winter. Our writer visited North Cascades from Seattle and in addition to the main viewpoints did the Thornton Lake/Trappers Peak Hike. In that case, hiking poles and traction cleats are recommended. 161 Miles 259 Kilometers of Trail 2 Recommended Routes 2 Gems ; 8 Easy Trails ; 17 Intermediate Trails . The road runs parallel with the water of Ruby Arm and exits the Ross Lake National Rec Area. We were unable to find the trail leading to our first campsite of the night, Ponderosa, so ended up hiking a little further to a completely open site, Lodgepole. You won't find sleek visitor centers and sprawling picnic areas at Ross Lake National Recreation Area, but what it lacks in amenities, the park makes up for in adventure. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Mostly in the shade. If you're like me, you came to this part of the world to visit North Cascades National Park. Eagle Valley reservoir is stocked with trout and is a stones throw from a shady campground. East Bank Ross Lake North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20 48.7055, -120.9608 Map & Directions Length 31.0 miles, one-way Elevation Gain 800 feet Calculated Difficulty Hard East Bank Ross Lake Trail between Rainbow Point and Devil's Junction. We hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect, the best places to see in North Cascades, and how to best plan your day. Where Most North Cascades Visitors Actually Visit. Try this 55.5-km out-and-back trail near Marblemount, Washington. Along a narrow section of the Skagit River near the entrance to North Cascades National Park/Ross Lake National Recreation Area Washington Highway 20 crosses over a roughly 300-foot deep granite chasm where Gorge Creek tumbles 242 feet, creating scenic Gorge Creek Falls. At about two miles, a side trail leads to an overlook with views back to the dam, the North Cascades Highway and mountains everywhere. Stayed in a log cabin on the Methow River with an adjoining lob cabin restaurant. We spent a night at a "group site" that had two tent pads. Its about 30 minutes drive to get here from Ross Lake. There is a couple mile section, between deer lick camp and just before Hozomeen lake that they had net cleared yet and it was pretty difficult to navigate. Be sure to take Cascade Pass hike. (360) 854-7200 This trail ascends to a historic fire lookout that sits on the summit of Sourdough Mountain. Consider making a brief photo stop here. If you're passing through in the morning, make sure to stop in for one of the diner's enormous egg breakfasts. Box 151761 In addition, you may want to skip some of the stops from our recommended itinerary (such as the Trail of the Cedars, Ladder Creek Falls, or Ross Dam Trail). Diablo Dam is one of three dams (including Gorge and Ross) on the Skagit River that provide electricity to Seattle. Below, you can see an overview of all the best places that you can see in North Cascades in a day, as well as a map, and approximate times needed for your visit. Saw what we think was an American Marten in a tree along the trail about a mile from Hwy 20. Bike in: $2.00per bike. On this blog, I share our family's travel experiences from all over the world, coupled with lots of practical information and useful tips for your trips. My biggest mistake during my Washington road trip was only - Facebook The poop shacks (aka outhouses) are right next to the camping spots. Day Visit. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Cave Lake State Park | State Parks - Nevada Use this detailed map of Ross Lake to learn more about boat . I wanted to do Desolation Peak as well, but got rained out. Fill your tank, and grab last-minute treats at the Chevron gas station. Snowmobiling is allowed within the park on approved dirt roads. 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Further below, you can find a short overview of this itinerary, but first all the nicest places to see. The glaciers grind rock into a fine powder, which is deposited into the lake via streams and creeks. If you feel like it, you can also take a short walk on the Sterling Munroe Trail which starts right at the visitor center. North Cascades Day Trip (from Seattle): Itinerary, Map & Tips Duration: 1-2 hours. if you can push it get to nightmare camp, it looked cool even though I didn't stop. Thats because the rest of the park is more remote and can only be accessed either by hiking or driving on unpaved roads. 3. The views throughout are great, but the view of the lake at the end is unbelievable. Showers and flush-type toilets are available while the campground is open. I highly recommend this trail for beginners. Rented a Canoe on the way here from Bloedel Donovan Park in Bellingham and was able to canoe both lakes. If you would like to request additional support or accommodations, please call the Nevada State Parks division office. Beautiful surroundings and great swimming Due to the hot weather. This is a short hike at just under 2 miles round-trip, with little elevation change. A note on maps: the AllTrails map for Roland Creek is slightly off - the camp area is on the north side of the creek so you have to cross it and then you will see a wooden post on the right side of the trail for it. So if you opt for one of the longer hikes, you will need to start your day really early, and definitely if driving to North Cascades from Seattle and returning on the same day. The untouched beauty whether traveling by car or hiking will last a lifetime. Before we start with a suggested itinerary for your North Cascades day trip from Seattle, there are a few things you may want to know about the layout of the park. Reelfoot Lake State Park In extremely cold conditions the facilities may be closed. Had two bear sightings in the first 10 miles. I tried contact several time with a home page address that anyone can search . Photo by JoyHiker. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. the creek crossing at Roland campground you either have to go boots off and knee deep or look upstream and you will see a log going over 10' above the creek. I felt a little intimidated at first by how complicated it is to get there, but it was really not bad. (READ MORE), The Cave Lake Reservoir was originally built in 1939 by the Isbell Construction Company. I went up to Rainbow Point and then turned back and camped at Roland Creek. Even if you dont want to walk further, its worth getting out of the car to walk over this bridge. Trail is well maintained, with rolling elevation and lots of shade. Very well-maintained trail. The Cave Lake Overlook Trail is a strenuous 4.5 mile loop that starts on the east end of the lake. Spring Valley is named for the abundance of springs that irrigate lush pastures in a historic ranching area dotted by turn-of-the-century stone buildings. Of course, as mentioned above, you can decide to stay closer to the park as well that will make your day more relaxing. From the United States, the only way to reach Ross Lake National Recreation Area is on the North Cascades Highway. It takes less than 5 minutes, so definitely check it out. Lake Chelan is in the southeast part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. Upon request, special presentations can be arranged for groups. The easiest way to explore is on foot since a network of beautiful hiking trails travels into the mountains and along the eastern shore of the lake. Visiting in the summer also means that the days will be longer, giving you much more daylight to comfortably plan your North Cascades day trip, especially if driving from Seattle. Camping: Cave Lake offers two designated campgrounds: Elk Flat Campground and Lake View Campground. Fun little walk to the Dam, really cool they let you explore and walk around on the structure, just be safe! Explore a landscape characterized by vibrant montane meadows, granite monoliths, alpine lakes, and lush woodlands. Youll also need a solid level of fitness to complete the longer hikes, and will need to check the time frequently so that you dont get caught in the park after sunset. If you're in search of a challenging hike and spectacular views, plan to spend the day on the Sourdough Mountain Trail. The electric blue water of Diablo & Ross lake are some of the most iconic landmarks in the North Cascades National Park. The views from the top of the dam looking east and west are breathtaking. Driving the North Cascades Highway - Stops to Make Along the Way This trail is relatively short (1.5 miles (2.4 km) roundtrip) and offers a chance to walk across Ross Dam and see Ross Lake up close. I'm 64 next month and my love of adventures and travel go back to childhood. Great trail with amazing views. Year-round accessibility. Doesnt feel overused and is not incredibly populated. Very isolated. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area The lake is also stocked with rainbow trout. There are so many amazing hikes in North Cascades National Park. Beautiful location, with clear blue skies in the middle of June, we felt spoilt! With hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine wilderness filled with glaciers, rugged peaks, sparkling alpine lakes, and some of the best hiking in the US, North Cascades National Park in Washington state is spectacular. Directions: From Seattle downtown, take I-5 north for about 46 miles until you reach WA-530 E. Continue west for another 46 miles on WA-530 until you reach State Route 20 (aka the North Cascades Highway). the climb is much longer and higher than what you would think with lots of dicey goat trail cliffside sections when you get near the top. It's one of the most difficult routes in Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the entire North Cascades National Park, so make sure to start early, bring layers and wear sturdy shoes. Hatchery rainbow trout are stocked in the lake, which is fed by Cave Creek and empties into Steptoe Creek. Once winter arrives, guests of the park can enjoy ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. All in all, if you want to visit North Cascades from Seattle for a day, we highly recommend that you leave the city very early. all in all it was an awesome trip. We got on the trail around 8am our first day, stopping for lunch at Roland Creek. By submitting this form, you have read and agreed to ourTerms of UseandPrivacyPolicy. Located 28 miles west of Ross Lake, it's one of the closest places to get gas. We had fair and pleasant weather, but still, even the moderate breeze was enough resistance to give one a good workout. As you approach the bridge to cross the lake, pull off to the parking area, there is signage for the boat launch area where you can easily carry your equipment down to the water's edge. Come in from the east or the west. Diablo Lake Overlook (16) Diablo, WA. The Cascade River Road provides access to the Cascade Pass, and the North Unit. Land and Cattle Company in 1956. This rock flour reacts with light to give the lake its bluish-green hue. So if you still have some energy left after all the sightseeing, come back here at the end of the day again. 60147 North Cascades Highway, Marblemount, WA 98267. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Gorge Creek Falls Trail: 380 Reviews, Map - AllTrails RV Rentals near Smith Lake Park Cullman Camp and boat: $20.00 per night(Non-NV Vehicles:$25.00 per night) We were a gorup of seven with a total of four tents. Please contact the ranger for overflow camping information. Great weather (still wanted my layers at night), clean camp, good fire pit, good pit toilet, and creek for water and ambiance close by. The isolation is magical, especially at the end of the day hike trail at Ross Lake overview. It is first come first serve, however check out is at noon so arrive around 11:30 to snag a site when people are packing up to go home. A lot of it lies around Highway 20, but there are other places off the main road you can get to as well. We stayed 3 nights at Ross Lake Resort. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Guide Ross Dam Stretch your legs and get rewarded with phenomenal views with this short and sweet hike from Highway 20 down to the Ross Lake Dam. Ross Lake NRA includes Gorge Lake, Diablo Lake, and Ross Lake. RV Rentals Houghton Lake Michigan, RV Rentals near Ocean Lakes Family Campground Myrtle Beach, RV Rentals near Lake Trinity Estates Hollywood, RV Rentals near Bay Lake Motorcoach Resort Polk City, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Guide, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest | Wyoming Guide, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

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ross lake overlook hike