Spending several days at Diablo Lake every summer is quickly becoming a tradition for me, one I’ll continue! Diablo Lake is downriver from Ross Lake, and is within the Ross Lake National Recreational Area, managed jointly with North Cascades National Park.
I’ve stayed at Newhalem, Colonial Creek North, and Colonial Creek South campgrounds. While the Newhalem Campground is very nice and is where a visitor center is located, the Colonial Creek campgrounds (directly across from each other on Hwy 20) have wonderful kayak access to Diablo Lake.
As I learned the hard way on one of my first visits, wind picks up by mid-morning. Depending on the direction you’re facing while kayaking, this can make for an unpleasant return trip back to the boat ramp. Mornings usually bring pristine smooth water, the most beautiful teal color, contrasted by blue skies and forest green. We discovered new areas, and had a lovely picnic lunch at one of the boat-in campsites, accompanied by a mama ptarmigan and her 2 chicks.
I spent 3 lovely days kayaking and hiking with friends, beginning with several hours on the water in early morning, exploring the Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake, the inflow of Thunder Creek, and part of the main body of Diablo Lake. There are 3 boat-in campsites on Diablo Lake that are the plan for next year! Afternoons were spent reading in companionable silence, and hiking the easy trail to the bridge over Thunder Creek (about 4.5 miles R/T from our campsite).
Spending time paddling, exploring, sometimes simply floating without moving, letting the silence and beauty sink in – this is part of what summer is all about. I’m so thankful to live in such a beautiful area.
On our last evening there, we found ourselves in rain and cracking thunder. The next morning as we were packing up to leave, we noticed a helicopter scooping water out of the lake repeatedly. Unfortunately, when we got home we heard that was the beginning of the Sourdough Fire which has closed the entire area while firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze due to very difficult terrain.