Thornton Lakes

{{Short description|Group of lakes in Whatcom County, Washington, USA}}

{{Infobox body of water

|name = Thornton Lakes

|image = Thornton Lakes 25982.JPG

|caption = The middle lake of the Thornton Lakes group

|image_bathymetry =

|caption_bathymetry =

|location = North Cascades National Park, Whatcom County, Washington,
United States

|coords = {{coord|48|41|16|N|121|19|57|W|type:waterbody_region:US|display=inline,title}}{{cite gnis|id=1527124|name=Thornton Lakes|accessdate=June 22, 2013}}

|type = Cirque Lakes

|inflow =

|outflow = Thornton Creek

|catchment =

|basin_countries = United States

|length = {{convert|800|yd|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|400|yd|abbr=on}}

|area =

|depth =

|max-depth =

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|residence_time =

|shore =

|elevation = {{convert|4708|ft|abbr=on}}

|islands =

|cities =

| pushpin_map = Washington#USA

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Thornton Lakes in Washington, USA.

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}}

Thornton Lakes are located in North Cascades National Park, in the U. S. state of Washington.{{Cite map|publisher=Topoquest (USGS Quads)|title=Mount Triumph, WA|url=http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=48.68790&lon=-121.33263&datum=nad83&zoom=4|accessdate=June 22, 2013}} These paternoster lakes consist of three lakes located {{convert|1|to|1.75|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Mount Triumph. Thornton Lakes can be accessed on foot from a trailhead in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. The hike of {{convert|5.2|mi|abbr=on}} includes a {{convert|2400|ft|adj=on}} altitude gain and a {{convert|500|ft|adj=on}} descent to Lower Thornton Lake.{{Cite web|title=Thornton Lake Trail|publisher=National Park Service|url=http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/thornton-lake-trail.htm|accessdate=June 22, 2013}} 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.{{Cite map|title=Thornton Lakes|publisher=National Park Service|url=http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=150553|format=pdf|accessdate=June 22, 2013}}