Overlook has Heavenly view

There is nothing diabolical about the Diablo Lake Overlook.

In fact, the view from the North Cascades Highway turnout can be downright Heavenly.

The turquoise lake below winds its way around snow capped peaks as you look in multiple directions from a vista that boasts ample parking for onlookers.

And even though the overlook and Diablo Lake itself are technically not in North Cascades National Park, you can certainly see it from there.

The jagged glaciated pinnacles of the park stand out to both the north and south of the highway and waterway through the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.

The lake is a reservoir behind the Diablo Dam that can be seen in the distance to the northwest and is located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River.

Diablo Lake has a surface elevation of 1,201 feet and covers an area of 1.422 square miles.

It gets its stunning color from glacial flour, or fine rocks particles, suspended in the water that enter the lake through glacial streams.

It is best viewed on sunny days in July, August and September, when most seasonal glacial melt occurs.

And the temperature of Diablo Lake is anything but hot, and is in fact said to be downright cold.

The water is the home of Bull, Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brook Trout that can be pursued by those with a valid Washington fishing license.

Camping can be found in the area, including right on Diablo Lake,

The north shore of the lake also boasts the 3.8 mile long Diablo Lake Trail.

But the best place to take it all in is the overlook.

How to get there:

The Diablo Lake Overlook is located at mile post 131.7 on State Route 20, otherwise known as the North Cascades Highway.

The quickest way to get there from Western Washington and Oregon is to take the State Route 20 exit off Interstate 5 and head east, but the most scenic way to go is from east to west.

Take Highway 2 from Snohomish in the west or from Spokane and dozens of small communities in the east and turn north on Highway 97 or 97A north of Wenatchee.  Turn northwest on Highway 153 in Pateros and follow it until you reach State Route 20 and turn left.

Photos and text by Tim Clinton.

Steamboat Rock stands out

Steamboat Rock sticks out like a sore thumb.

You can see it for miles away mostly out your front window as you traverse Central Washington's lengthy Grand Coulee from south to north, or mostly out the back window from north to south.

The basaltic butte stands out so much that it has been used as a navigational reference point for everything from covered wagons to modern fighter jets.

It is also pretty enough as it towers above Banks Lake to warrant its own state park.

It is situated on a peninsula jutting out into the 25-mile long lake created by water from the Grand Coulee Dam, with the connecting piece of land south of the rock offering ample parking, camping, boating, restrooms, showers and other facilities.

Steamboat Rock can be viewed up close from there, or from pullouts across the water on Highway 155 to the east.

The 5,043-acre state park has 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline, with the 800-foot tall rock itself covering 600 acres.

Hiking and biking is available on 13.1 miles of trails including onto the top of the rock, where wildflowers abound in favorable months.  There are 10 miles of horse trails.

Individual campsites can be reserved for use from April 1 to Oct. 31 and are first-come, first-served from Nov. 1 to March 31.  There are 26 standard campsites and 164 full hookup sites plus three cabins.

Discover passes are required for use of the park at $30 per year good for all Washington state parks.  One day passes are also available at $10 per vehicle.

How to get there:

Turn north onto Highway 155 off of Highway 2 just east of Coulee City and the Dry Falls Dam and drive until you come to the state park to your left.

You can also get there from Highway 174 and the Grand Coulee Dam area to the north by heading south on Highway 155.

From Interstate 90 and Moses Lake, head north on Highway 17 until you come to Highway 2, taking a right and heading east before taking a left onto Highway 155 after Coulee City.

A short cut is available heading east on Interstate 90 before Moses Lake, turning northeast onto Highway 283 until it joins Highway 17 at Soap Lake, where you take a left.

The Steamboat Rock State Park address is 51052 WA-155, Electric City, WA 99123.

Call (509) 633-1304 for more information on the state park, or (888) 226-7688 for camping.

Text and photos by Tim Clinton.