Diablo Lake & Happy-Panther

driving directions

diablo lake

Drive SR 20 to the Diablo Dam, about 1 miles east of Marblemount. Cross the dam and proceed to the trailhead near the North Cascades Institute.

happy-panther

Drive SR 20 to the East Bank trailhead at the east end of Ross Lake's Ruby Arm, about 29 miles east of Marblemount.

on the trail

diable lake to ross lake

Hike  up the trail through forested slopes above a deep gorge to Ross Dam. It's 7.5 mile round trip day hike with 1,400 ft in elevation gain with a high point of 1,950 ft.

diablo lake to happy-panther

Hike one-way  climbing from Diablo Lake, crossing suspension bridge and then Ross Dam and continuing along Ruby Arm through lush forest and soft pathways to the East Bank trailhead.  It's 10.5 miles one-way with 900 feet of elevation gain and a high point of 2,100 ft.

happy-panther

Drop down to the east end of Ruby Arm and hike mostly flat terrain along the shore to Ros Dam. It's 12.4 miles with 550 feet of elevation gain and a high point of 2,100 ft.

information for leaders

Courses, paid clinics, staff-led programs, and course field trips require a Commercial Use Authorization. The Park typically accepts applications for 2-year CUAs  through mid-March each year, and CUA's are activity-specific. Please contact info@mountaineers.org if you would like to apply for a CUA for a field trip or paid clinic for an activity we do not already have a CUA for. Please follow all Mountaineers group guidelines when leading trips or courses in North Cascades National Park. 

Notes:

• Leaders are responsible for securing backcountry permits or other required permits even if  we have a CUA.
• Leaders must have all relevant CUAs with them in paper or electronic copy to show Parks Staff as requested. 
• All Hiking course field trips or paid clinics must have a First aid and CPR certified leader. Current (non-expired) certificates must be uploaded to the park web portal by Mountaineers staff prior to the trip
• All mountaineering field trips or paid clinics must have a WFR-certified leader and a leader with documented climbing certifications (an AMGA certification OR Mountaineers climb leader with a recent resume of training and experience). Both qualifications must be uploaded to the park web portal by Mountaineers staff prior to the trip

View list of current North Cascades CUAs

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
• Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Easy, Moderate
• Length: 8.3 mi
• Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
• High Point: 1,950 ft

• Land Manager: North Cascades National Park
  Ross Lake National Recreation Area
• Parking Permit Required: None
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12