Thunder Knob: A Quick Hike and Beautiful View in the North Cascades
- Stephen Warner
- Dec 22, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 3
While the iconic glaciers of North Cascades National Park get most of the spotlight, they often require long, strenuous hikes to reach. Luckily, there are still a few shorter trails that pack in the beauty without the effort. Thunder Knob is one such trail. With towering peaks, a lush forest, and the mesmerizing waters of Diablo Lake, this mellow out-and-back is a perfect intro to the park.
Trail Info
Trailhead Name | Thunder Knob Trail |
Distance | 3.4 miles / 5.5 km (out and back) |
Estimated time | 1-2 hours |
Elevation gain | 650 ft / 200 m |
Highest point | 1,900 ft / 580 m (Thunder Knob) |
Permits / fees | None |
Parking | Paved lot |
Toilets? | At Colonial Creek Campground |
Dog friendly? | Yes |
Know before you go
The Cascades Highway may close in winter. Be sure to check road status on the North Cascades NP website before heading out.
Seasonal flooding is common. Snowmelt often floods the first part of the trail, and bridges are removed in fall. You may need to ford Colonial Creek, so bring extra socks or sandals.
There’s no true summit. The hike ends at a flat clearing on the knob with partial views through the trees. For easier, full-frontal views of Diablo Lake, you can drive to the nearby Diablo Lake Vista Point—but where’s the fun in that?
Other trails nearby
Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km)
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft (450 m)
Details: More strenuous option near the dam and follows the lake's through forest and along ridges.
The Trail
Parking is available just outside Colonial Creek Campground. From there, follow signs to Thunder Knob Trail. Watch closely as there are a few junctions that can trip you up if you’re not paying attention. A bridge or river crossing over Colonial Creek should confirm you’re on the right path.
If the water crossing wore you out, there’s a nice bench where you can pause and enjoy views of the marsh.
After the creek, the real climb begins. The trail climbs steadily through shady forest on packed dirt and rock.
Around the 1-mile mark, turn around and you might catch a peek at the surrounding peaks like this.
Before long, you’ll reach the knob itself. While the summit isn’t prominent, the landscape definitely is. Explore the area a bit. The different sides of the knob offer different views, especially of Diablo Lake and the surrounding mountains
Even though the trees obscure parts of the view, there’s still a lot to take in.
The best view I found was facing west, where the blue-green hues of the lake meet the winding highway. Not bad for a quick little hike, right?
SS Reflections
My North Cascades trip didn’t exactly go as planned. I came dreaming of glacier hikes, only to find deep snow still clinging to the high trails. With no winter gear (thanks, five years of Hawaiian living), those plans were a no-go.
At first, I was disappointed. But after doing Thunder Knob, something shifted. Maybe it was the simplicity, maybe the solitude, maybe the vibrant blues of Diablo Lake, but I found myself glad I came. This hike reminded me that you don’t need a massive challenge to experience something magical. Sometimes a short trail is all it takes to reconnect with why you hit the trail in the first place.
Other Helpful Resources
Wet boots dry hops writeup about the trail
The Washington Trails Association's post about hiking Thunder Knob