We have always found that Craig Romano's directions to TH'S and description of trails have been very accurate. However, this trail is not "all accessible" as he states in his book,"Day Hiking North Cascades". The trail is 3.8 miles round trip and gains 635 ft. Parking is outside the entrance to the North Section of Colonial Creek CG. There is a large sign with trail information. After walking the CG road and following trail signs you cross 2 log bridges with handrails. After a few feet of rocky trail which was the former creek bed, you enter a forest area which climbs gradually on a smooth trail with no roots to the top of Thunder Knob. At about 1 mile you arrive at the first view point with a bench for rest if needed. Here the trail becomes more open with mossy rocks and lodgepole pine. Near the trail's end is a short spur trail which takes you to an overlook of Diablo Lake. Colonial Peak can be seen from here, but was backlit making pictures difficult. The trail ends a few 100 feet from the spur trail and has a view of Jack Mountain. The North Cascade peaks were beautiful on this sunny and clear day. There were many people driving the HWY, but we saw no other hikers on the trail.
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