The trailhead for the Gorge Overlook Trail is near mile 123.4 on the south side of the North Cascades Highway (Washington Route 20). Paved parking for about two dozen vehicles is available as well as a vault toilet. An accessible, paved trail zig-zags up a short incline to provide a view of an unnamed waterfall flowing into Gorge Creek. The paved trail continues a short distance to a couple of views of Gorge Lake before turning downstream to another overlook about 0.2 miles from the parking lot. Beyond the last overlook, the trail is a gravel surface that is not ADA compliant. From the second overlook back to the parking lot via the gravel trail is about 1600 feet. We hiked the complete loop during our September 2022 visit to North Cascades National Park.
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| Gorge High Dam from North Cascades Highway pullout at mile 122.9 |
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| A closer view |
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| Trailhead interpretive display |
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| Typical trail conditions for the accessible part of the trail |
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| Waterfall flowing into Gorge Creek |
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| My daughter taking in the view from the first overlook |
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| Gorge Lake |
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| Second overlook |
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| Interpretive sign |
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| Another view of Gorge Lake |
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| Obstructed view of Gorge High Dam from the last overlook |
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| Typical trail conditions beyond the pavement |
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| Trailside boulder |
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| Lots of trees |
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| Switchback |
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| Larger trailside rocks |
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| Was a section of this rock removed to create the trail? |
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| Returning to the parking lot |
There is no entrance fee at North Cascades National Park.
The North Cascades National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm.
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