Our Winthrop Tour starts in Bellingham. Heading East on State Route 20 through the Cascade Mountain Range. Dubbed “The most beautiful highway in Washington”. Among the sights are waterfalls, lakes, and The Skagit River Hydroelectric Project which provides some of Seattle’s electricity.

Winding along part of our route east, The Skagit River was first described in writing in 1859 by Henry Custer, the American topographer for the US Boundary Commission. Native people have lived along the Skagit for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that ancestors of the Upper Skagit tribe lived in the area now called Ross Lake National Recreation Area at least 8,000 years ago. The river today is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and fly fishing.

Newhalem is a company town owned by Seattle City Light and is populated by permanent residents and employees of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

Gorge Creek Falls Trail is located on Route 20. A short loop trail takes you to a beautiful waterfall. The trail is a popular one for hikers, walking, and nature trips

Enjoy views of glacial-fed Diablo Lake, located within the heart of North Cascades. See rugged mountains that rise around the lake and the historic Diablo Dam in the distance. In summer, the distinctive turquoise color of the lake is the result of suspended fine rock particles refracting the sunlight. The color is most vibrant on sunny days in July, August, and September when seasonal glacial melt occurs.

We arrive in Winthrop, a tiny old western town with antique boardwalks, great boutiques, restaurants, diverse lodging options, and outdoor recreation. Set in the Methow Vally and Okanogan National Forest surrounded by the beauty of nature.