Sterling Munro Trail

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 120. From Interstate 5 north of Mount Vernon take Exit 230 to Burlington and follow state Route 20 east. From Marblemount continue on Route 20 to the North Cascades Visitor Center and company town of Newhalem (milepost 120). Drive over the Skagit River through the Newhalem Campground and drive one mile to the visitor center, elevation 560 feet. State Route 20, MP 120. Trailhead is just outside the northwest corner of the North Cascades Visitor Center.

Features:
This fully accessible, boardwalk trail leads 300 feet from the North Cascades Visitor Center to a stunning viewpoint of the Southern Picket Range, Trappers Peak, and up the Goodell Creek drainage.

For bird watchers, this is one of the most reliable places in the park to spot Vaux's and Black Swifts. These aerialists provide quite a show in late spring and summer seeking high flying insects. Also at tree-top level you can see Band-tailed Pigeons, raptors, and an assortment of songbirds such as Pacific-slope, Hammond's, and Olive-sided Flycatchers.

Other Info:
The top-notch North Cascades Visitor Center has accessible parking (car and RV), curb ramp , and restrooms. An interactive exhibit includes nature sounds, videos and touchable natural history models. The center has geology exhibits, a touchable relief map and a Northwest Interpretive Association bookstore. Courtesy wheelchair available. The Visitor Center is open year-round, weekends only in winter until mid-April, call for current hours, 206-386-4495. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 120. Trailheads at North Cascades Visitor Center and Newhalem Creek Campground (see directions above).

Features:
This scenic, gravel trail is accessible with moderate grades, rest areas, interpretive signs, and benches. Wheelchair users may need assistance. Round trips through lush forest along the Skagit River (Loop is 1.8 miles from the Visitor Center or 1 mile from Newhalem Creek Campground. All junctions are well-signed.)

There is a 15% grade between Visitor Center and intersection with bottom loop of trail. This section can be avoided by parking at and accessing the trail to right of the restroom between loops A & B of Newhalem Creek Campground.

The 1.8 mile River Loop trail winds a gentle course from the North Cascades Visitor Center down through rain forest and old-growth and levels out along the Skagit River with viewpoints along the way. The trail has benches to rest and enjoy the forest and the Skagit River and perhaps some wildlife. Western Hemlock, Douglas-fir, and Western Red Cedar visibly dominate the route with a number of deciduous species making an appearance as maples, alders and cottonwoods. An old road makes up part of the trail where lodgepole pines take advantage of the drier climate of sunlight and shrubs such as dogwood and willow can be found.

In the deeper sections where Douglas- fir tower and lichen hang from hemlock limbs, listen for the high powered flicker-like call of the Pileated Woodpecker. You might see Winter Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Varied Thrush, Townsend's, Black-throated Gray, and Yellow-rumped Warblers and possibly Red Crossbills. Occasionally Brown Creepers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Hairy Woodpeckers will associate with these mixed foraging flocks. MaGillivray's Warblers can be found along the edge of the old lodgepole pine road. As the trail winds its way down and along the river, watch for American Dippers hunting aquatic insects from stream-soaked boulders. Its also possible to observe Spotted Sandpipers sharing the Dippers habitat, though generally they are more active along the shore. Steller's Jays, Ravens, and the distant songs of White-crowned Sparrows always seem to accent the background of any spring or summer hike along this trail. Migration brings Neotropical visitors such as Western Tanagers, Hammond's, Olive-sided, and Pacific-slope Flycatchers, all breeders in this area. The haunting song of the Western Wood Pewee can challenge any birder to discover its whereabouts. In fall, watch for the return of Bald Eagles along the Skagit River though peak season for this activity is later in winter. Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Ospreys and sometimes Northern Harriers cruise the river, and in the fall of 1999 a Cooper's Hawk fledged at least two young not far from the trail.

Other Info:
Nearest accessible restrooms are located at the North Cascades Visitor Center or in Newhalem Creek Campground. Nestled in conifers, the Newhalem Creek Campground has 1 accessible campsite in each of the campground's 3 loops. Check the main board for current site numbers. Many other campsites offer minimal obstacles such as branches, roots or rocks. Water spigots are placed throughout the campground and flush toilets are available in the accessible restrooms. Several accessible trails lead from the campground. Newhalem Creek Campground is open from late spring to early fall. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Newhalem Creek Rockshelter Trail

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 120 (see directions above).

Features:
This .25 mi gravel/boardwalk trail is accessible but moderately difficult. Half of trail is 5-12% Grade. Wheelchair users may need assistance. The path has rest areas, interpretive signs, and benches.

Follow this path back through time to visit a campsite used 1400 years ago by hunting and gathering Upper Skagit Peoples. Moss and lichen line the path, earthy scents linger in the air and the rushing waters of Newhalem Creek can be heard in the distance. Round trips are .25 miles from the trailhead or about 1 mile along the Linking Trail from Newhalem Creek Campground or the Newhalem Powerhouse. Nearest accessible restrooms are located at the North Cascades Visitor Center or in Newhalem Creek Campground. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Linking Trail

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 120 (see directions above).

Features:
This accessible trail links the Rock Shelter Trail, Newhalem Powerhouse and Newhalem Creek Campground. The path winds through verdant woods and along Newhalem Creek. Distance between Newhalem Creek Campground and Rockshelter Trailhead is .3 miles, between Trailhead and Newhalem Powerhouse .25 miles. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Trail of the Cedars

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 121 Begins at the foot of Main Street in Newhalem. Drive past the Skagit General Store and park at the signed trailhead at the Skagit River. Proceed to the suspension bridge that crosses the Skagit River.

Features:
Trail of the Cedars in Newhalem maintained by Seattle City Light offers moderate grades, rest areas, interpretive signs and benches. Wheelchair users may need some assistance. The trail crosses the Skagit on a sturdy bridge before beginning the one-mile loop through ancient forest to the Newhalem Creek Powerhouse. Interpretative signs explain the different effects of fire on cedars and Douglas firs. There are huge Western red cedars and other trees on this trail including western hemlock, Douglas fir, yew, alder, lodgepole pine and silver fir. Other plants include dogwood, Salal, Oregon grape and huckleberry.

With the soft murmur of the Skagit River in the background look and listen for Winter Wren, Black-throated Gray and Townsend's Warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches and possibly Red Crossbills. This trail now connects with the River Loop trail. Turn right at the old Newhalem powerhouse to access the new linking trail which parallels the road to Newhalem Campground Loop C. The road crosses a bridge over tumbling Newhalem Creek, usually a good place for Dippers. In spring and summer Violet-green Swallows, Vaux's and Black Swifts streak across open spaces just above the forest canopy twittering their flight songs along the way. Varied and Swainson's Thrushes flush suddenly from invisible nooks under the sword fern throughout the deepest woods. Watch along path and road edges for the Dark-eyed Junco possibly mixed with White-crowned, Golden-crowned and Song Sparrows. The new trail passes through Loop C to cross the Visitor Center road. Continue on to link up with River Loop Trail, but spend a moment scanning both sides of the one-way bridge over the Skagit River. Harlequin Ducks sometimes can be found along the banks especially to the west where Goodell Creek empties its glacier runoff from the Picket Range. Red-breasted Mergansers as well as River Otters can also make an appearance in this area. Search the tops of Douglas-fir where Pileated Woodpeckers pound for meals and Red-breasted Sapsuckers forage at mid-elevations.

Other Info:
Accessible restrooms located across from Skagit General Store. Newhalem, an historic Company town of Seattle City Light, offers accessible parking, a general store, a self-guided historic tour, accessible restrooms, picnic areas and access to trails. The Skagit General Store offers deli foods, grocery and souvenir items, open limited hours in winter. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

See Newhalem hikes Seattle PI article.

Newhalem Falls is nearby. This is a pretty falls when they are flowing with decent amounts of water, otherwise it's not even noticeable. It's located almost right in downtown Newhalem. Best flow in the falls is usually mid May to early June. The falls usually dry out by the end of June. To see the falls, turn right at the street next to the general store, then turn left at the last street before the river. Park just before the entrance of maintenance yard. The falls descend into the Skagit river immediately across from you.

Thunder Knob Trail

Directions:
State Route 20 at milepost 130. Trailhead located N. end of Colonial Creek Campground.

Features:
3.6 mile round trip trail, 425 feet elevation gain. Listed as easy and wheelchair-accessible.

Happy Creek Trail

Directions:
Access is on the south side of State Route 20 at milepost 134.5. Parking is limited, especially for large vehicles.

Features:
Happy Creek, a .3 mile loop, fully accessible boardwalk, travels through an ancient creekside forest. Half of trail is 0-5% grade, the other half is 5-8% grade. A wooden boardwalk weaves up the forest slope (about an 8-percent grade) and then down along bubbling Happy Creek as it tumbles off the slopes of Ruby Mountain. Read the interpretive signs, or just sit on a bench under the canopy in dappled sunlight for a while and take in the sights, sounds and smells.

Other Info:
Accessible parking and toilet are available.

Nearby at milepost 130 is Colonial Creek Campground. Campsites are carved from rich forest along the shores of Diablo Lake. There are 3 accessible campsites available, 1 site in the north unit and 2 sites in the south unit. Check the main board for current site numbers. Several other campsites contain minimal obstacles, including branches, roots and rocks. Water spigots are located throughout the campground and most restrooms are accessible. The steep boat ramp and campsite fishing docks may be difficult to navigate for people in wheelchairs. An information kiosk is staffed during summer months. Colonial Creek Campground is open year-round. However in winter October - Mid May the water is turned off, there is no garbage service, and the area is not plowed.

Goodell Creek Campground has 20-sites just west of Newhalem. Again, although open year-round there are no winter services. There is an accessible picnic shelter near the Goodell Creek Campground.

Newhalem Creek Campground at is open Mid-May thru Sept, 116 RV/tent sites.

Be sure to stop at Diablo Lake Overlook at milepost 131. There is accessible parking , curb ramps benches, and toilets available. Views of Diablo Lake, Davis, Jack, Pyramid and Colonial Peaks and interpretive signs and a geology display.

Further up the moutain at milepost 135 is Ross Lake Overlook. Interpretive signs and expansive views of mountain-rimmed Ross Lake wait at these pullouts. Feel the wind at your face and hear the far off sound of falling water. Views can be seen from the car. You can see the Ruby Arm (leading to Ruby Creek) as well as Ross Lake proper, heading north toward Canada. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Trail information adapted from National Park Service North Cascades accessiblity guide. See more information about North Cascades National Park.

Gorge Overlook Trail

Directions:
State Route 20, MP 123, 3.5 miles east of Newhalem to the signed Gorge Creek Bridge..

Features:
The area overlooks Gorge Creek Falls (see other info) and has an accessible interpretive loop trail with views of Gorge Dam and Lake, and another waterfall from the paved section of the trail. About half of this loop trail is fully accessible and paved. The other half is compacted gravel . The loop in its entirety is .8 miles long with benches and interpretive signs. The easy .2 mile paved section is up to a 6% grade and 0-3% cross slopes. The .33 mile gravel section is most difficult with up to 14% grade and 0-5% cross slopes.

Other Info:
Accessible parking , toilets , and curb ramps available.

The roar of the Gorge Creek Falls beckons from the parking area, This is one of only 3 major waterfalls that is visible from the road along US 20 in North Cascades National Park. The upper of the pair of 120 foot falls is more difficult to clearly see due to it's angle of descent. From the lake side of the bridge you can see a waterfall whisping into the gorge from the cliff on the left. There are several other waterfalls that are visible on the other side of Gorge Lake en route to the falls. During the wet season, there is a large tributary of Gorge Creek streaming hundreds of feet down into the canyon just above the top of the falls, most of which though, is not visible. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash.

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.