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Submission
There are two ways to attain Fourth of July Pass - from Thunder Creek or from Panther Creek. Both offer wonderful opportunities to travel along burbling, blue-green creeks, but access via Thunder Creek is truly stunning.
From Marblemount, follow the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) east for 24 miles. Just past milepost 130, turn right into the Colonial Creek Campground and proceed 0.5 mile to the trailhead, near the amphitheater at the day-use area. Water and restrooms available.
Worst trail I’ve ever hiked... the elevation and the effort that I had to put in and the view I got was for sure not worth it at all.
Around 2800 ft of elevation gain from the campground trailhead. Nice views while hiking along the creek, once you start heading up the hill there's a peak at the mountain every now and then but otherwise it's a lot of switchbacks and woods. Nice views at the top by the campground.
