they have needles instead of leaves) that turn gold in late September through October and then drop their leaves like traditional deciduous trees. Get ready for some of the most breathtaking fall foliage in Washington state!įirst, a larch lesson. I also share tips on when to go and how to find these mysterious larches. In this post I outline all the best larch hikes I’ve found since living here. However, to find them you have to know their secrets. Washington is one of the few places in the world to find alpine larches, the name of these needle-bearing trees that turn gold in the fall. I discovered that I moved to a special place. So I immediately researched to find out more about these magical trees. Being from the east coast, I was missing fall colors in Washington state. It was a multi-page story with jaw-dropping, full-page photos that included lakes nestled between snowy peaks dotted with something I’d never seen before: golden pine trees. After a final switchback climb, Park Creek Pass is reached.I discovered larch hikes in an in-flight magazine. Thunder Creek Ford to Park Creek Pass (~Mile 16.3-18.9)Īfter wading across Thunder Creek, continue on as the trail emerges from the forest into brush and meadows. Park Creek Pass comes into view, and the trail reaches yet another Thunder Creek crossing with no bridge. After this steep section, the climb eases as the trail continues with breaks in the forest now. The trail then switchbacks up as it again follows Thunder Creek down a steep section for about 2.5 miles. Stay to the right here to continue on Thunder Creek Trail.įisher Creek Trail to Thunder Creek Ford (~Mile 9.9-16.3)Īfter passing Fisher Creek Trail, Thunder Creek Trail travels high above Thunder Creek, leaving Fisher Creek behind, before descending for 2 miles down to Thunder Creek again. The trail reaches Fisher Creek and crosses it on a sturdy bridge very close to where Fisher Creek empties into Thunder Creek.įisher Creek Crossing to Fisher Creek Trail (~Mile 7.5-9.9)Īfter crossing Fisher Creek again, the trail follows the creek through the forest as it climbs several switchbacks before becoming flat again. Snowy peaks are also visible where the trees thin. Most of this section is high above Thunder Creek with spectacular views. After crossing Thunder Creek, the trail climbs in earnest through dense forest before coming to Fourth of July Pass Trail.įourth of July Pass Trail to Fisher Creek Crossing (~Mile 1.6-7.5)Īfter Fourth of July Pass Trail, there are fewer hikers as the trail continues through the forest, sometimes close to Thunder Creek, and sometimes further away from it. Thunder Creek is turquoise, fast flowing, deep, and wide here. About 1.3 miles in from the trailhead, the trail crosses Thunder Creek on a sturdy bridge. From here, it begins to follow Thunder Creek. The trail starts in fir forests and follows the shore of Diablo Lake for 0.7 miles to where Thunder Creek empties into Diablo Lake. Day users commonly use this first section of the trail. Thunder Creek Trail starts at a well-marked trailhead at the south end of Colonial Creek Campground. Trail Start to Fourth of July Pass Trail (Mile 0-1.6) On both sides of Thunder Creek Valley are snowy, glacier-covered peaks. Thunder Creek Trail goes through the beautiful North Cascades as it follows Thunder Creek from Diablo Lake up Thunder Creek Valley to its snow melt sources high in the mountains at Park Creek Pass.
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