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Thunder Creek Trail
This trail can be a shorter, easier hike or a longer, more strenuous hike depending on how far you follow it.
Plan Around Thunder Creek Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Thunder Creek Trail Details
This trail can be a shorter, easier hike or a longer, more strenuous hike depending on how far you go. The trail follows the Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake over gentle, forested terrain, and these first few miles to the backcountry campsite known as Thunder Camp can be a short, sweet hike. From here, the trail starts to pick up elevation and climbs over three miles of switchbacks to Fourth of July Pass. While the views of the surrounding peaks are nice from the pass, they get better as the trail near the next camp, Neve Camp, on the banks of Thunder Creek. Shortly after Neve Camp, the forest, which was swept by fires over 30 years ago, opens up to panoramic views of the backcountry and keeps going gently to McAllister Camp, a popular hiking and horse camp, and the smaller Tricouni Camp. At this point, you've hiked 8 miles, so you might want to rest before beginning the strenuous eight-mile ascent to Park Creek Pass. The next few miles of the trail are especially steep, and gain over 1,000 feet in elevation as the trail junctions with Fisher Creek Trail, which continues 14 miles to Easy Pass. Thunder Creek pushes onward, skirting a large swamp before it suddenly drops into a sparse pine grove. Don't think you're done, though: the trail now climbs steeply past Skagit Queen Camp to the glacially formed Thunder Basin, and Thunder Basin Stock Camp. In another steep 1.5 miles, you’ll finally reach the 6,100-foot Park Creek Pass, nestled between Mt. Logan and Mt. Buckner, and be rewarded with expansive views in all directions. From Park Creek Pass it is possible to take the Park Creek Trail and hike another eight miles into the Stehekin Valley. The trailhead is at Colonial Creek Campground on Diablo Lake, located at milepost 130 on State Route 20.
Difficulty
High
Distance
39.2 miles
Estimated time
2 to 3 days
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Thunder Creek Trail
Compare nearby parks around Thunder Creek Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Thunder Creek Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Thunder Creek Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Diablo Lake Campgrounds
The Diablo Lake Campgrounds are only accessible by boat, and is made up of three areas.
0.3 mi away
Colonial Creek Campground
Colonial Creek Campground is located on Diablo Lake, at the base of Colonial Peak.
0.5 mi away
Thunder Knob Trail
Thunder Knob is a great loop hike for both families and seasoned solo hikers looking for a quick climb with rewarding views.
0.6 mi away
Colonial Creek
Nestled on the shore of Diablo Lake, the Colonial Creek area is a popular stop for motorists exploring the North Cascades Scenic Highway.
1.4 mi away
Fourth of July Trail
Fourth of July Pass is one of the first backcountry mountain passes to melt, and sees lots of hikers in spring.
