This is a good hike to a very nice waterfall.  However, there are several things you need to know before you go.  The Hiking Guide has several errors and omissions.  Start at the Diablo Lake TH at the Environmental Learning Center.  Bear right at the first fork.  You cross a road just after you pass the Learning Center buildings on your right.  Three rock pyramids guide you down and across the road to the trail.  There is a three-way junction shortly after you cross the road.  Go left on the Sourdough Trail and follow it to the end.

The trail ends at the edge of the creek, but there is no waterfall to be seen.  You must wade to the middle of the creek and look up the gorge on the right.  After photographing the falls and returning across the creek, I sat down, removed my shoes and sponged them out, put on a pair of dry socks that I always take with me, and had a comfortable hike back to the TH.

There are some nice views of Snowfield Peak above Diablo Lake.  I preferred the view through the trees to the one at the viewpoint just below the falls.

There were Calypso Orchids on the Sourdough Trail, but no other wildflowers.  The wild Dogwood trees are blooming beautifully by the lake.

I did not meet any other hikers this morning, which was warm and sunny.  I even enjoyed cooling my feet in the stream.  This was a great way to start the week.

  What a magnificent day for a hike.  Crossover Diablo Dam and make a right and park at The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Plenty of free parking with no pass requirement. Driving over Diablo Dam was an experience in itself. The trail was in great condition. Just remember to start out on the Diablo Lake Trail and in about 1/4 mile it will intersect with The Sourdough Creek Trail. The trail has some nice views of Paul Bunyan's Stump and the rest of the snow capped mountains.

 The trail ends at the waterfall and this hike is well worth checking out. I had the fall to myself for over an hour and I only saw one other couple on the trail. The creek and waterfall are raging as you can see from my video and pictures below. Nice low level hike if you are waiting for the snow to melt off the mountains. Checkout my video link below of this hike and you can also checkout other videos I have done of other trail hikes in Washington on my Vimeo Channel Link below.

As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking?

Take Care,

Mike

This has to be the widest trail I've ever seen. Goes left off the Diablo Lake trail soon after it's start at the North Cascades Institute.  !.5 miles each way to lovely falls.  Mostly flat. Nice Old Growth, picnic shelters.  Had the trail to ourselves.

The drive across Diablo Dam is the icing on the cake. Restrooms and parking for dam area explorations on the Institute side of the dam.  Like having our own Hetch Hetchy, without the crowds!    Now to hike 3! 

Beautiful fall colors are out now. Any footwear probably works, but I appreciated having boots for one small stream crossing and for scrambling over some big rocks at the end (to reach the base of the waterfall).

This trail is a nice short 3 mile round trip hike to a nice view of a waterfall coming off Sourdough Mountain. Of course you are not going to drive all the way to the N Cascades for this short hike, but when camping with the family at nearby campgrounds, it's nice to have another hike in your bag of tricks. 

The hike takes off from the Diablo Lake trail shortly after passing the Environmental Learning Center. You can park at the Center parking lot and follow the Diablo Lake trail. Shortly after crossing a driveway used by the Center you will come to the turnoff on the left, it is marked with a vertical wooden sign. Weave your way thru the woods on good trail with a very gradual elevation gain, easy for even the most out of shape hiker. When you get close to the creek, the trail breaks out of the woods and there are some nice views of the mtns across Diablo Lake. Follow the trail up some stone stairs and along the creek until you reach the end. Walk out on the rocks and look up for the falls coming off the cliff high above. The water is really low right now and this would be  a pretty safe place for a little splashing, plus there are some nice lunch rocks. Be aware that groups from the Learning Center may be on this trail, but today we saw no one. We stayed at the Center for a few days and I highly recommend it!  Hikeathoning! You can sponsor me at https://give.wta.org/Muledeer