Blum Lakes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blum Lakes |
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 Blum Lakes
Location in Washington (state)
Blum Lakes
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Cascades National Park, Whatcom County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 48°45′00″N 121°29′44″W / 48.75000°N 121.49556°W |
| Type | Cirque Lakes |
| Primary outflows | Blum Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 400 yd (370 m) |
| Max. width | 400 yd (370 m) |
| Surface elevation | 5,003 ft (1,525 m) |
The Blum Lakes are a group of about six beautiful lakes hidden deep inside the North Cascades National Park in Washington, a state in the United States. These lakes are quite special because they are "cirque lakes." This means they were formed long ago by giant glaciers that carved out bowl-shaped hollows in the mountains.
You won't find any easy, maintained trails leading directly to the Blum Lakes, making them a truly wild and remote spot. Water from these lakes flows into a small stream that eventually joins Blum Creek. Nearby, you can also find the amazing Blum Basin Falls, where water plunges a spectacular 1,680 ft (510 m) down the mountainside.
Exploring Blum Lakes
The Blum Lakes are located southwest of Mount Blum, a tall peak in the North Cascades. Because there are no official trails, reaching these lakes can be a challenging adventure. Hikers who visit often need to be experienced in navigating wild areas.
What is a Cirque Lake?
A cirque lake is a type of lake that forms in a "cirque," which is a bowl-shaped hollow high up in the mountains. These hollows are created by glaciers. As a glacier slowly moves, it scrapes away rock and ice, digging out a deep basin. When the glacier melts, the basin fills with water, creating a cirque lake. The Blum Lakes are a great example of this natural process.
Water Flow and Nearby Falls
The water from the Blum Lakes flows out and becomes part of a small stream. This stream then joins Blum Creek, which is a larger waterway in the area. Not far from the lakes, you can see the impressive Blum Basin Falls. This waterfall is incredibly tall, dropping over 1,600 feet! It's another beautiful natural feature in this wild part of Washington.
