Thunder Creek
If you’re a regular follower of my work, you probably know that the North Cascades is my “place”. I visit as often as I can, as it’s relatively close to my house and contains some of the most diverse and interesting wilderness that Washington State has to offer. Most people think of soaring peaks and steep climbing when they think of this area, and it definitely has that, but it also features some of the finest forest scenery in the state too.
One such forested place is Thunder Creek. It should probably be named Thunder River as the creek is enormous, but name aside, this long trail starts in the Colonial Creek south campground and goes dozens of miles, eventually crossing Park Creek Pass and descending down into the Stehekin River valley. Any amount of this trail is a treat, and because it is relatively flat and accessible, it’s also an excellent choice for hikers of all ages and abilities. We’ve taken our kids and our parents here and all have had a great time. A large bridge over Thunder Creek can be found a little more than a mile into the trail, which makes for a great turnaround point for the little ones. Beyond that, the trail continues past multiple backcountry camps that offer many more adventures.
On the day I visited in late spring, it was raining lightly, which was a bonus because the forest always looks its best in the rain. The rain also keeps the dust down and for the most part, the people away. Despite the trailhead starting in a campground and being pretty accessible, I didn’t see too many people. The only downside to the rain is that it makes the creeks crossing the trail run high, and with the snowmelt at that time of year, some of them can be challenging. I eventually turned around before Neve camp as I hit a creek crossing that I didn’t feel like getting my feet wet for - completely doable, but as a day hiker, not necessary. Nonetheless, a very worthwhile outing!
The images above are just a few from only a couple of miles of trail. A lot of people skip a hike like this because it lacks a grand view, or dismiss it as “just a bunch of trees,” but I think there’s an incredible diversity of scenes to be found in such places. Plus, check out that banana slug - that’s easily the whitest banana slug I’ve ever seen. He was pretty shy too, and I had to move pretty slowly around him to make sure he was comfortable enough to keep his antennae out!
One last protip for this area: the Thunder Creek trail is an incredible choice in the fall. There are lots of colorful trees even in just the first mile before the bridge that are well worth a stop on the way over Highway 20. Plus, way less people!