What are the conditions like for water sources?

There are a few decent water sources on the way up to Fourth of July Pass, and Fourth of July camp itself has good water availability, including Panther Potholes. As of [July 10](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-07-12.171158073010), there was no reliable water seen after Fourth of July camp, save for a boggy-looking pond.

What are the typical bug conditions?

Bugs were reported as an annoyance when stopping to rest on [July 28](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-08-02.155248453979) and [July 10](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-07-12.171158073010). However, one report from August 12 stated that bugs were not too bad during their trip.

What is the road access like to the Thunder Creek Trailhead?

The road to the Thunder Creek Trailhead is suitable for all vehicles, according to reports from [August 12](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-08-13.111645712320), [July 28](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-08-02.155248453979), and July 10. Parking at the trailhead was noted as being nearly empty in the early morning on August 12.

Fourth of July Pass via Thunder Creek

Q: What is the current status of blowdowns on the trail?

As of [August 12](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-08-13.111645712320), there were two clusters of blowdowns on the unmaintained Ruby Mountain Trail, described as manageable log hops. One report from [July 28](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-08-02.155248453979) mentioned a single blowdown on the Thunder Creek trail that was easy to climb over.

North Cascades

updated 1 month ago

The trail to Fourth of July Pass via Thunder Creek is reported to be in great condition, with no snow as of August 12. Road access to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles. There are a few water sources along the Thunder Creek trail and good water availability at Fourth of July camp. Obstacles are minor; one report mentions a single blowdown on the Thunder Creek trail that is easy to climb over, and another notes two clusters of blowdowns on the unmaintained Ruby Mountain Trail that require some log hopping. Bugs were noted as an annoyance in July 28 and July 10, particularly when stopping.

Generated from 10 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about Fourth of July Pass via Thunder Creek

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.

As of August 12, there were two clusters of blowdowns on the unmaintained Ruby Mountain Trail, described as manageable log hops. One report from July 28 mentioned a single blowdown on the Thunder Creek trail that was easy to climb over.