Colonial Creek Campground
(Milepost 130)

Colonial Creek Campground is located eleven miles east of the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem. SR 20 winds through some of the most rugged and beautiful country in the United States hinting at remote mountain peaks, glaciers, and giant fir and hemlock forests. Wilderness is obvious even from the comfort of your car as you pass through this lush and diverse land. Clean mountain air beckons one to experience, explore, and revel in the bounty Nature has to offer. Take your time!

Before reaching Colonial Creek make quick stops at Gorge Creek Falls and Gorge Lake. In summer the falls can be thick with visitors but a stop can be rewarding. A short loop trail offers interpretive signs and nice views of Gorge Lake as well as the possibility of Ravens, Steller's Jays, Red-tailed Hawks and distant waterfowl on the lake itself. Townsend's Chipmunks scurry along the boulders and Pikas pierce the waterfalls roar with their warning cries. Pullouts along the way offer closer views of Gorge Lake where Canada Geese, Common Loons, Western Grebes, Barrow's Goldeneyes and Buffleheads can easily be spotted. Violet-green, Tree, Cliff and Barn Swallows swoop low overhead and White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos sing from rocky outcrops. Continue on to Colonial Creek but stay on the road as mountain scenery makes driving very difficult!

Colonial Creek Campground is the park's largest campground. Turn right soon after crossing Colonial Creek itself and park in the large parking lot immediately after the ranger kiosk. This area is one of the best birding places in the park as the combination of Diablo Lake, open sky, edge habitat, and deep, ancient forest all accent diversity. Take a deep breath and start your list!

The best times are weekdays in early morning, early spring to late fall. In summer the campground can be brimming with visitors and boat traffic so an early start is recommended. Check the lake for Barrow's and Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Western and Pied-billed Grebes, Common Loons, Harlequin Ducks, and Cinnamon Teal. American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Mallards, Shovelers and Ring-necked Ducks frequent the waterway near the SR 20 bridge over the arm of Diablo Lake. Five species of swallows are common here in spring and Vaux's Swifts accompany them. In the mixed deciduous growth around the lot look for Western Tanagers, warblers, Northern Flickers, Red Crossbills and large flocks of Pine Siskins. Raptors such as Osprey, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks are possible. In the Fall of 1999 a Northern Goshawk was hunting the campground.

In shrub thickets and Vine Maple groves at the parking lot's perimeter, look for White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Fox, Lincoln's and Song Sparrows mixed with large flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos. In late spring and into early summer of 1999 a White-throated Sparrow was present here. Rufous Hummingbirds whine by hovering before your astonished eyes, too quick for binocular observation. Steller's Jays, Ravens, American Crows and good numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets occur as constant companions. Try to pick out Sourdough Mountain fire lookout high on the ridge to the north.

Continue on the one-way road that leads directly into the campground from the parking lot. Here large Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock shade the campground and provide great habitat for Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Brown Creepers and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Varied and Swainson's Thrushes haunt the road edge as Winter Wrens sing up a storm. Red-winged Blackbirds, and occasionally, Yellow-headed Blackbirds are found along the camps closest to Diablo Lake. In spring, eight species of warbler, three species of vireo, four species of flycatcher and five species of woodpecker can be observed within this area alone. Try not to strain neck muscles while searching for these!

Thunder Creek Trailhead is located at the end of the campground. This trail is a must for the casual as well as hard-core birder. Thunder Creek Valley is home to some of the most impressive ancient forest in the park and to hike even a small amount of time here brings one closer to the spirit of wilderness. Pileated Woodpeckers call from invisible perches, and the whistled call of the Varied Thrush is ever present. Soft chips, chirps and cheeps sound overhead in the moss and lichen covered branches revealing Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, warblers, flycatchers, and Brown Creepers. Western Wood Pewee and Western Tanagers sing in unison, daring birders to locate them. An explosion of branches may reveal a small flock of Band-tailed Pigeons, and during the day, Barred and Northern Pygmy Owls can call. As the trail continues, look for American Dippers along the shore and watch in spring for Mountain Bluebirds and American Pipits on sandflats accompanied by Spotted Sandpipers.

Be sure to watch your step as Banana Slugs also share the trail. Chicarees chatter and Townsend's Chipmunk sound their sharp birdlike calls while occasionally Raccoons hunt the waters edge.

Along the way there are many places where breaks in the vegetation allow views into the surrounding forest. In these edge areas look for Orange-crowned, Yellow, and Common Yellow-throat Warblers as well as Cassin's and Warbling Vireos. Chickadees, kinglets and creepers usually can be located close to the trail.

Almost a mile from the trailhead a suspension bridge crosses roaring Thunder Creek. This is an excellent place to have lunch and take in the old-growth forest. Harlequin Ducks and American Dippers sometimes float underneath the bridge allowing close-up viewing. Black and Vaux's Swifts, accompanied by Violet-green Swallows, course down the stream, and Ospreys are seen overhead. In spring this has become a very good area for locating Red-naped Sapsuckers, usually a more eastern species. Pine Grosbeaks also can be seen perched high in fir trees on either side of the bridge. Red-breasted Sapsuckers have been observed sounding off on the bridge itself, drumming to advertise their presence, and Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers call in the distance.

Across the bridge is an extensive thicket of willow, maple and alder. Spend some time here as American Redstarts have been present in migration and Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers vie for position among the taller trees. If you choose to continue, which is highly recommended, be advised that the trail can sometimes become wet and overgrown with Devil's Club and nettles. In these thickets however, MaGillivray's Warblers and Winter Wrens call, and occasionally, White-throated Sparrows hide in the undergrowth. Red Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks are possible overhead, and Pileated Woodpeckers become more plentiful.

The trail now climbs slightly. Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Olive-sided Flycatchers make more of an appearance and Varied Thrushes are usually present. Steller's Jays scold from above and in winter, mixed foraging flocks of chickadees, kinglets and creepers brighten the misty forest. In time the trail breaks out of the trees at an old burn. This is a good place for Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows, and Olive-sided Flycatchers. Small flocks of Pine Grosbeaks sometimes pass overhead and raptors cruise the ridgetop. This is a good place to turn around.

While walking the trail, keep an eye out for mammals. Pine Martens have been observed crossing the Thunder Creek bridge and Black Bear are always possible. Scan the surrounding cliffs in winter and spring for grazing Mountain Goats.

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