North Cascades National Park Service Complex - Trail Conditions (U.S. National Park Service)

Last updated: July 3, 2008

Above average summer temperatures in the past week led to a reduction in the remaining winter snowpack, however, snow continues to linger across most of the high country and the passes. Use extreme caution at stream crossings due to high water and beware of weak snow bridges and post-holing during snow travel. Expect streams to be running high and fast, especially in the late afternoon. Lower elevations of all trails are mostly melted out, but there is still plenty of snow to encounter at mid-elevations. Snow level is generally between 4,000 and 4,500 feet, although this varies widely depending on slope and aspect (on some south-facing slopes snow level can be near 5,000’). See trail descriptions below for specifics. Contact the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount for the most recent conditions.

Trail crews are continuing to clear low elevation trails of downed trees, but on trails that they have not yet reached expect downed trees, possible bridge or trail damage, and unknown conditions . E-mail us a trail report if you have updated conditions. Keep in mind that storms can blow in, rain can turn to snow at higher elevations, and temperatures can drop quickly. Check the weather forecast, be prepared with proper food and extra layers of clothing, and leave an itinerary with family or friends.

Cascade River Road is closed at mile 20 (the Eldorado parking area). Closed at mile 12.75 on Wednesday July 9 and Thursday July 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for bridge repair. Check the park conditions page for more details, including all road conditions. Expected to open to Cascade Pass trailhead on July 12.

Pacific Crest Trail at Agnes Creek - The temporary bridge over Agnes Creek has been removed in anticipation of rebuilding a permanent bridge at this site. Agnes Creek is not passable in any season. See detailed information below for re-route and other conditions.

Whenever and wherever you travel in the wilderness, please be safe, and “touch the wilderness gently.” Know and practice Leave No Trace camping and hiking.

For complete trip planning information, including: how to obtain the required backcountry permit for overnight stays, where pets are allowed, day and overnight group size limits, information on backcountry camps and more, visit the Wilderness Trip Planner page.

Trail Name	Elevation & Trail Type	Reported Conditions	Last Update
Agnes Gorge (Stehekin)	Hiker only	Clear and open	7/3
Baker River Trail	Trailhead at 800', trail's end at 900' Hiker only	Several small stream crossings and very wet trail on rainy days. Tread is rocky or rooty in places, but generally easy to follow. Numerous downed trees, camp is OK.	6/4
Big Beaver Trail	Ross Dam trailhead at 2100’. Big Beaver 1600’. Beaver Pass 3654’ Hiker, Stock	Cleared of downed trees to Luna Camp. Approximately 1 mile of patchy snow on Beaver Pass. Expect some snow on Beaver Pass Camp.	6/28
Boulder Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6800' Hiker, Stock	The first 3 miles of trail has been cleared of downfall. Patchy snow begins before Rennie Camp. Rennie Creek is flowing high and may be unsafe to cross.	6/4
Brush Creek to Whatcom Pass	Whatcom Pass: 5055’ Hiker, Stock	Cleared, brushed in 2007. Not advisable to stock past Graybeal. Graybeal damaged by flood, sites hard to discern; washout north of camp has been graded. Expect deep snow around Whatcom Pass and many downed trees across trail.	6/29
Bullion Loop (Stehekin)	Hiker, Stock	Cleared. Expect to get your feet wet along the lower section of the loop.	7/3
Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm / Horseshoe Basin	Trailhead 3660’, Cascade Pass 5400’, Sahale Glacier camp 7600’ Hiker only	The Cascade River Road is closed at mile 20— must walk 3 miles on road to reach the trailhead. CLOSED at mile 12.75 on July 9 & 10 from 8am to 5pm for bridge repairs. Downed trees and some avy debris to cross on road. Road opening to trailhead projected for July 12. Snow-free until last 0.5 miles approaching the Pass, then large snow patches on final traverse. Rock patio at Cascade Pass melted out but composter toilet at Pass still under snow. Up Sahale Arm from Pass is 50% snow covered with no snow on last 0.5 mile talus slope to Glacier Camp. Route finding required, ice ax recommended on Arm. Glacier Camp compost toilet and two sites melted out. Pelton Basin and Pelton Camp full of snow, ice ax recommended. Composter toilet at Pelton Basin is melted out, but difficult to find. Dropping out of Pelton Basin, trail becomes mostly snow-free. Doubtful Creek is passable as a ford in the morning but can run high in afternoon and become impassable. Footlog in place over Basin Creek.	7/5
Company Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', leaves park at 2500' Hiker, stock	Brush is thick from 3 mile on. The footlog at 5-mile is washed out and the ford may be impassable during high water. Trail is cleared of downfall to snow-line about 1 mile from Hilgard Pass. Deep snow beyond.	6/28
Copper Ridge	Copper Lookout: 6260’ Hiker only	Deep snow across entire ridge. Route finding, ice axe, and snow travel skills required. Several feet of snow around Copper Lookout.	6/30
Dagger Lake / Twisp Pass	Fireweed 3900', Dagger Lake 5508', Twisp Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	No footlog over Bridge Creek near Fireweed. Bridge Creek NOT fordable at current high water. Stiletto Spur Trail might be better alternative. Expect deep snow around Dagger Lake. From Twisp River Road, snow free and cleared of windfall to switchbacks before pass, about 3 miles. Ice axe required over pass.	6/28
Desolation Peak	Lookout 6608’ Hiker only	Some trees across trail at ~3600’. Desolation Camp snow-free. Not much snow remains near Camp, plan to hike water up. Patchy snow on last mile, along ridgeline above Desolation Camp.	7/5
Devore Creek (Stehekin)	Leaves park at 2000' Hiker only	Cleared to park boundary, numerous downed trees beyond. Snow-free to 7 mile There is a wash-out at the 4 mile point that is not passable to stock. The trail is snow-free to 4 mile, snow beyond. Forest Service trail crew scheduled to work this season.	6/24
Diablo Lake	1200 – 2000’ Hiker only	High bear activity, including a mother and two cubs near Diablo trailhead, be cautious regarding any bear encounters. Avalanche debris on trail near Ross Lake end--can be difficult scramble and slippery, on steep slope--use caution.	7/3
East Bank / Hozomeen Lake	Trailhead 1800’, Hozomeen Lake (highest pt.) ~2900’ Hiker, stock	Clear of snow. Clear of down trees from East Bank trailhead to 0.1 miles before Deer Lick Camp. Many down trees and very brushy in sections between Deer Lick and Hozomeen Lake Camps.	7/6
Easy Pass / Fisher Creek	Trailhead 3700’, pass 6400’ Hiker only	Solid snow above 4700'. Expect downed trees across trail. Ice ax required over Easy Pass. Crossing of Logan Creek washed out and not possible at high water. Large hemlock ~100 yards downstream can be used with extreme caution.	6/29
Flat Creek (Stehekin)	1700' - 2000' Hiker, stock	Snow free and cleared of downfall. Very brushy in places.	6/29
Fourth of July Pass	Thunder Creek 1200’, 4th of July Pass 3500’ Hiker only	Clear of snow and trees to Fourth of July Pass.	6/22
Goode Ridge (Stehekin)	Trailhead 2200', ridge 6600' Hiker, stock	Numerous downed trees after the first mile. The trail is snow covered after the first 2 miles.	6/4
Hannegan Pass / Chilliwack River	Trailhead 3000’, Hannegan Pass 5060’, Canadian border 2000’ Hiker, stock	Trail north of Bear Creek unmaintained and washed out. Hannegan Road open to trailhead. Patchy snow on first 2 miles, solid snow at 3 miles. Some dangerous snow bridges--use caution. No report for Chilliwack valley, expect downed trees and snow at mid and high elevations.	6/24
Happy Panther	1700 – 2000’ Hiker, stock	Trail damaged ~ 1 mile from East Bank trailhead, a significant scramble for hikers, not passable to stock.	7/3
Hidden Lake	Trailhead 3700’, Hidden Lake: 5700’ Hiker only	Access road CLOSED until further work can be completed. Road snow-free to trailhead. Patchy snow begins at trailhead (3400') and becomes solid at 5000'. Trail washed out in places. Snow travel skills required.	6/28
Lakeshore Trail (Stehekin)	Elevation 1200' Hiker, stock	Cleared of downfall from Stehekin to Prince Creek. Prince Creek Trail: Cleared of snow and downfall to the Summit Trail. There is a slide before 2 mile not passable to stock, and the bridge at 4-mile is damaged, and also not passable to stock. Fish Creek Trail: First 4 miles cleared of downfall and snow. The trail reroute at 2 mile is not passable for stock.	6/28
Little Beaver to Whatcom Pass	Ross Lake 1600’, Stillwell ~ 2500’, Whatcom Pass 5200’ Hiker only from Little Beaver to Stillwell, then hiker, stock	Bridge over Little Beaver at Stillwell is ~ 1mile downstream from Stillwell camp. Clear of trees. Redoubt Creek running high, with footbridge in place for one channel. Wading required to cross the remainder of creek. At high water, safest crossing may be on logjam ~200 yards upstream of trail. Final mile to Whatcom Pass under deep snow, route finding skills and ice ax required.	6/29
McAlester Lake / South Pass	Fireweed 3900', McAlester Pass 6000', South Pass 6300' Hiker, stock	The footlog over Bridge Creek between Fireweed Camp and Bridge Creek Trail is gone. Bridge Creek not currently fordable due to high, fast water. Stiletto Spur Trail is recommended alternative between Fireweed & Highway 20. Many downed trees across trail. Patchy snow on last mile before McAlester Pass. McAlester Lake Hiker Camp 90% snow-covered up to 3' deep. McAlester Stock Camp 50% snow-covered, one tent pad melted out but wet. Lake Camps toilet melted out. High Camp 50% snow-covered, toilet melted out. Trail to Hidden Meadows 20% snow-covered, Camp is 20% snow-covered and toilet melted out. South Pass trail has a few small snow patches, easily traveled, beautiful wildflowers.	7/4
McGregor Mountain (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1700', Heaton Camp 7000' Hiker, stock	Intermittent snow begins after 3 miles, and solid snow begins around 5 mile. There are numerous downed trees about half way up the trail from an avalanche. Note: To reach the summit requires a steep rocky scramble and is difficult to navigate in any season	6/4
Monogram Lake/Lookout Mountain	Trailhead 1300’, Monogram Lake 4872’ Hiker only	Trail is snow-free to ~4000’. Difficult to find trail after crossing Lookout Creek. Route-finding skills required, ice ax recommended. Still several feet of snow on the lake. Monogram Lake Camp still buried under snow. Composting toilet not yet opened for the season--please bring blue bags.	6/26
Newhalem Creek	Trailhead 1000’, trail’s end 1800’ Hiker, stock	Not maintained, brushy with washouts and downed trees. Snow free.	6/4
North Fork Bridge Creek	2800' to 4200' Hiker, stock	North Fork camp is melted out. Clear of trees to Grizzly Camp. Patchy snow between North Fork Camp and Grizzly Camp. Use logjam upstream of trail to cross Grizzly Creek, otherwise impassable due to high water flow. Grizzly Creek Camp is flood damaged and not recommended. Beyond Grizzly camp, trail is washed out by North Fork for about 300 feet, requires some bushwacking.	6/28
Pacific Crest Trail North (Bridge Creek)	Bridge Creek Trailhead: 4640’ Hiker, stock	Clear and open from Bridge Creek to Six Mile. Maple Creek Bridge installed for season. 40% snow covered from SR 20 to Park boundary, easily navigable. Snow-free below Fireweed. Some down trees across trail above Six Mile--all navigable by hikers and stock--and trail brushy. The footlog to Fireweed Camp and McAlester Trail is out—this crossing is impassable during high water.	6/25
Pacific Crest Trail South (Old Wagon Trail to Agnes Creek)	1700' - 2300' Hiker	Recommended alternative to washed out road between Bridge Creek and High Bridge. Temporary bridge over Agnes Creek removed for the winter. New hiker/stock replacement bridge is under construction, scheduled to be in place by mid-summer. Agnes Creek cannot be safely forded in any season. For early season south-bound hikers, shuttle bus transport is available from High Bridge to Stehekin. From the Stehekin Landing board the Lady of the Lake ferry to Lucerne where bus transport is available to Holden Village (reservations recommended). From Holden Village hike up the Railroad Creek Trail which intersects the Pacific Crest Trail at Suiattle Pass. Cedar Camp partially snow-free. Solid, deep snow reported at Hemlock Camp and all points south.	6/26
Panther Creek	Trailhead 1800’, Panther Camp ~2000’, Fourth of July Pass 3500’ Hiker only	Minor snow patches near 4th of July Pass and a scattering of downed trees. Very brushy with rough trail tread as trail crosses open avalanche chutes. Log over Panther Creek has been improved, making crossing easier. Panther Creek running very high. Cleared and brushed from trailhead to ~ ½ mile above Panther Camp.	6/22
Park Creek Pass	Trailhead (Stehekin)2300', Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	Cleared of downfall to just past 5 mile where an area of deep snow and avalanche debris begins. Footbridge is installed at two-mile creek for hikers only. Two mile camp is usable; five-mile camp was repaired in 2007, but is under snow. Continuous snow begins within 1 mile of Park Creek Pass, route finding skills and ice ax required to reach pass.	6/28
Purple Creek / War Creek	Trailhead 1200', Juanita Lake 6800' Hiker, stock	From Stehekin, trail clear of downfall and snowfree for first 6 miles. Patchy snow begins 1 mile before the pass, and large areas of solid snow begin within ½ mile of the pass. Juanita Lake campsites are covered with 3 feet of snow. Fires not allowed at Juanita Lake hiker or stock camps.	6/24
Pyramid Lake	Trailhead 1100’, Lake 2600’ Hiker only	Several small downed trees to step over, one large snag somewhat difficult to navigate.	7/2
Rainbow Creek (Stehekin)	McAlester Pass 6000' Hiker, stock	The bridge at Rainbow Ford has been installed for the season, and the trail has been cleared of downfall up to Rainbow Ford. The path to the camp at Rainbow Ford is covered with avalanche debris, but the camp is usable. Snow and avalanche debris covered in several places below Bench Creek. Bench Creek Camp partially snow covered. (6/18) Last 0.5 miles to McAlester Pass 95% snow-free, but expect some patchy snow in the wooded portions of the upper valley (7/5)	7/5
Rainbow Lake	Rainbow Lake 4074', Bowan Pass 6200' Hiker, stock	No bridge at South Fork Camp—difficult or impossible ford during high water. Many downed trees between South Fork and Dan's camp. Expect deep snow around Rainbow Lake and around Bowan Pass, route finding skills and ice ax required to go over pass.	6/24
Rainbow Loop (Stehekin)	Hiker, stock	Clear and open.	7/3
Sourdough / Pierce Mountain	Trailhead at 900’, Sourdough Camp at 5055’. Lookout is at 5968’ Hiker only	Sourdough trail from Diablo clear to Park boundary. Large snow patches begin at ~4700’. Sourdough Camp snow-covered. Pierce Mountain trail rough with lots of downfall, hard to follow in places. Expect snow from ~4000 feet on up.	7/2
Stetattle Creek	Trailhead at 900’ Hiker only	Rockslide over trail 1/4 mile in - difficult / impassable scramble. Snow beyond. Brushy and hard to follow after 2 miles.	6/4
Stiletto Spur	4000’ to ~6100’ Hiker, stock	Crossing of Slate and Copper Creeks could be difficult at high water. Some downed trees and some patchy snow. Expect deep snow on upper portions of trail up Stiletto Peak.	7/4
Stehekin River (Stehekin)	1200' Hiker only	Trail access is from the south end of the Stehekin airstrip. Cleared and brushed. Expect to get wet feet on this trail during the early season melt-off.	7/3
Summit Trail (Stehekin)	Juanita Lake 6800', high point 7440' Hiker, stock	No fires allowed at Juanita Lake camps. No report except 3’ of snow at Juanita Lake. Expect deep snow at high elevations, patchy snow on south facing slopes. Snow free in the bottom of Prince & Fish Creek basins. Snow on rest of trail.	6/24
Thornton Lake	Trailhead 3000’, ridge above lake is 5000’, Thornton Lake 4500’ Hiker only	Snow begins beyond third stream crossing. Many down trees in first 1.5 miles. Three stream crossings all running high and fast. Down tree can be used to cross 2nd stream. Crossing of 3rd stream not advisable during high water. USE EXTREME CAUTION at stream crossings. Route finding skills required on snow, with ice ax required for travel all the way to the lake. Reaching the camp requires a scramble over rocks and logs at the lake's outlet.	7/2
Thunder Creek	Trailhead 1200’, Junction camp 3100’, Park Creek Pass 6100’ Hiker, stock	Trail freshly brushed to McAllister Camp. Clear of downfall and snow free to top of switchbacks above Skagit Queen. Consistent snow on trail at ~4600', 90% snow-covered--up to 2' depth--in forested sections of Thunder Basin. Thunder Basin Stock camp 70% snow-covered. Thunder Basin Hiker Camp still under deep snow. Route-finding skills required above 4700', deep snow on Park Creek Pass, ice ax required.	6/28
Thunder Knob	1200’ to 1875’ Hiker only	Footlogs in place over Colonial Creek. Trail is open and clear of downfall.	6/4