Lake Diablo Washington

Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascade mountains of northern Washington. Created by Diablo Dam, the lake is located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River at an elevation of 1,201 feet above sea level.

I came here to do the Diablo Lake Trail which is about a 7.6-mile moderate hike. The bad thing is the trail is currently closed as of September of 2023 due to the Sourdough Wildfire. This includes the Diablo Damn Rd which you have to take to get to the trailhead. All three boats ramps are also closed due to the Blue Lake Wildfire.

I did get some good pictures even though I couldn't hike.

To get here drive east on the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) for 20 miles to the Gorge Lake Bridge. Cross the bridge, and continue for another 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Diablo Dam Road. The road will be signed for the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Stay on the road and cross the dam, and in a little more than a mile you will arrive at the end of the road and the trailhead.

Just driving around to try and explore the area seeing I couldn't hike.

I love the color of the water!!

If you don't want to do the entire hike there is a one-way option: In the summer and into the fall, City Light operates a ferry ($10) on Diablo Lake to provide transportation for guests and customers of the Ross Lake Resort. If there is room after those with a Ross Lake reservation have boarded, hikers or backpackers heading to or returning from Ross Lake may also opt to take the ferry - or simply anyone wishing to hike the Diablo Lake trail in one direction only. This is not the same boat as the "Skagit Tour."

Route 20 in Washington is also called the Northern Cascade Highway and because of the elevation this raod does close for the winter because of snow fall. If you plan on coming here in the fall or spring, check to make sure the road is open before you come.