You’ll have to time your hike accordingly as the ferry runs only twice a day in season and there is a fee. It goes along the north side of Diablo Lake (right side of the above picture taken from the Diablo Lake Overlook) until you cross the Diablo Lake suspension bridge near the foot of Ross Dam.Īnother option for the return trip is to take the Diablo Lake Ferry from the ferry dock below Ross Dam back to the start of the hike. It is 3.8 miles in each direction for a total of 7.6 miles. The Diablo Lake Trail is an out and back trail starting at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. The unpaved part of the trail is more difficult and continues to complete a 0.8 mile loop back to the parking area. You can return the same way, or continue on the unpaved portion. Then if you have just a bit more time, take the short paved Gorge Overlook Trail out past another waterfall to overlook the Gorge Dam and Gorge Lake. You can see Gorge Creek Falls as you drive the Scenic Highway however, it’s even better if you can park and walk across the bridge to look at it. There are additional trails you could plan to hike on from here if you want a longer loop hike instead of the shorter out and back. It is worth it to walk all the way across the dam before returning the way you came back up to the parking lot. There are incredibly scenic views on both directions. You can walk all the way across this 540 foot tall arch dam, which was completed in 1937. Hiking down the trail past moss covered rock walls, you first see the dam from above and then make your way down to it. It crosses a picturesque bridge over a rocky creek with a little waterfall visible upstream. The Ross Dam Trail is a 1.5 mile roundtrip hike down a fairly steep trail from the parking lot to the dam. From here keep going to the ridge, walking along the rim for amazing views at Maple Pass, and then down steep switchbacks to return to the trailhead. Next is Heather Pass and it is worth the short detour on the side trail to see this gorgeous view of the surrounding peaks and mountains, including a bright blue lake in the distance. However, you get great views of Lake Ann from above as the views open up. If you took the left fork you could hike down to Lake Ann. Thereafter, it’s on to the Lake Ann junction where you will stay right to continue up. Heading counterclockwise for a more gradual ascent, you head upward through the forest and then pass through a meadow with wildflowers in the summer and mountain range views. The trail starts at the Rainy Lake Trailhead. The Maple Pass Loop Trail is a 6.6 mile loop with over 2,000 feet of elevation change however, that also made for an excellent vantage point. Here are some of our top recommendations: Maple Pass Loop Trail default You can see the park’s comprehensive hiking trail lists, conditions, planning tools and information on the North Cascades hiking page.
Always be prepared for changing weather conditions and pack the supplies you need for being on the trail.
The driest and most popular time of the year is mid-June through September. Though you can visit and hike year-round, April to October is the prime hiking timeframe.
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