| Thornton Lakes | |
|---|---|
 The middle lake of the Thornton Lakes group | |
  Thornton Lakes  Thornton Lakes | |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 48°41′16″N 121°19′57″W / 48.68778°N 121.33250°W[1] |
| Type | Cirque Lakes |
| Primary outflows | Thornton Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 800 yd (730 m) |
| Max. width | 400 yd (370 m) |
| Surface elevation | 4,708 ft (1,435 m)[1] |
Thornton Lakes are located in North Cascades National Park, in the U. S. state of Washington.[2] These paternoster lakes consist of three lakes located 1 to 1.75 mi (1.61 to 2.82 km) southeast of Mount Triumph. Thornton Lakes can be accessed on foot from a trailhead in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. The hike of 5.2 mi (8.4 km) includes a 2,400-foot (730 m) altitude gain and a 500-foot (150 m) descent to Lower Thornton Lake.[3] Two other lakes lie above the first one, unofficially named Middle and Upper Thornton Lakes. A designated backcountry camping zone is located at Lower Thornton Lake.[4]
- ^ a b "Thornton Lakes". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ Mount Triumph, WA (Map). Topoquest (USGS Quads). Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ "Thornton Lake Trail". National Park Service. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ Thornton Lakes (pdf) (Map). National Park Service. Retrieved June 22, 2013.