By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

There is nothing diabolical about the Diablo Lake Overlook.

In fact, it is downright beautiful.

Aside from overlooking the stunningly hued man-made lake, you get a good look at the mountains of the North Cascades National Park that surround it.

Mountains seem to jut right out of the lake and end up high enough to boast snow capped peaks even in the summer.

The peaks have been dubbed such names as Davis, Jack, Pyramid and Colonial.

Diablo Dam is responsible for the water in the sight, blocking the Skagit River and creating the lake.

The dam was built in 1930 downstream from also man-made and much larger Ross Lake.

The turquoise color of Diablo Lake comes from glacial flour in the streams that plunge in from the peaks.

Diablo Lake sits at an elevation of 1,201 feet at its surface level and covers an area of 1.422 square miles.

It contains bull, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout and boating and fishing by licensed anglers are allowed.

Campgrounds in the area include Thunder Point on the lake itself and nearby Colonial Creek and Gorge Lake.

The Diablo Lake Overlook is easy to find at mile marker 132 on Highway 20 and boasts ample free parking and toilets as well as benches, interpretive signs and a geology display.

It is located inside the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and sandwiched between the two portions of North Cascades National Park.

Highway 20 is generally open from May 1 through Oct. 31.  It can be reached off I-5 in Burlington north of Seattle and Everett.  Head east off the exit.

More information can be obtained by calling the recreation area at (360) 854-7200.

The mailing address is 810 State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284.