Thornton Lakes Trail

Thornton Lakes Trail is a hard, out-and-back hike in the Stephen Mather Wilderness of North Cascades National Park in Washington, managed by the National Park Service. The trail's route is roughly 10 miles long, with a total elevation gain of about 4,147 feet. That makes it a demanding day, and the climb is steep in places, with the high point at 5,022 feet. The trail starts at about 4,690 feet and reaches 5,022 feet at its peak. It is a full-day commitment, and the round trip is about 10 miles with roughly 4,147 feet of gain and loss. Plan on about five and a half hours for the hike. The trail lies within the Stephen Mather Wilderness, inside North Cascades National Park. There is no fee to hike it. Nearby, the North Cascades climbing area is about 2.5 miles away, and the Goodell Creek Trail is about 2.6 miles away. Goodell Creek Campground is about 3.4 miles off. Paddlers can reach the Skagit River, about 4.8 miles away.