LAKE CHELAN
GATEWAY TO NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
Stretching more than 50 miles into the North Cascades, Lake Chelan fills a long, narrow trench carved by glaciers and ranks among the deepest lakes in the United States, reaching nearly 1,500 feet. The lake’s southern end sits at a relatively low elevation and is easily accessible, while its northern end remains remote, bordered by wilderness and national parkland.
Location: Chelan County, Washington Surface area: 50 square miles Maximum depth: 1,486 feet Where to stay: Chelan is the primary town on the lake’s southern end. Top feature: Stehekin, a remote community at the lake’s northern end, is accessible only by boat, plane, or trail.
KENAI LAKE
TURQUOISE WATERS
A 22-mile turquoise artery through the Kenai Mountains, Kenai Lake traces the path of an ancient glacier that carved through the surrounding rock. Today, it is fed by glacial meltwater carrying fine sediment known as rock flour. This suspended material scatters light and gives the lake its distinctive turquoise color.
Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Surface area: 21.6 square miles Maximum depth: 540 feet Where to stay: Cooper Landing, Alaska Top feature: A bright turquoise hue that makes the lake highly photogenic.
MONO LAKE
AN ALIEN LANDSCAPE
Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America, estimated to be more than one million years old. Like other terminal lakes in the Great Basin, it’s endorheic—meaning it has no outlet— allowing dissolved minerals to accumulate over time, giving the water its highly alkaline, saline character.
Location: California Surface area: ~70 square miles Maximum depth: ~160 feet Where to stay: Lee Vining serves as the primary gateway. Top feature: Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve features the lake’s iconic tufa formations, accessible via walking trails.
DIABLO LAKE
A HUMAN-MADE GLACIAL LAKE
Formed in 1930 with the construction of Diablo Dam on the Skagit River, Diablo Lake is part of a three-dam hydroelectric system that helped power the growth of Seattle—and
continues to power the city today. Yet thanks to its extraordinary setting deep within North Cascades National Park, it’s easy to mistake this reservoir for a natural lake.
Location: North Cascades National Park, Washington Surface area: 910 acres Maximum depth: 240 feet Where to stay: Marblemount and Concrete serve as gateways to North Cascades National Park. Top feature: Diablo Lake Overlook offers one of the most iconic views in the North Cascades.
Text: Stefanie Waldek
Book Design: Han van de Ven
Copy Editing: Melanie Shapiro
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© Lannoo Publishers, Belgium, 2026
ISBN: 978-90-599-61418
BISAC TRV025000, TRV000000 D/2026/45/10 www.lannoopublishers.com
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