Trail Conditions

General Conditions

Last updated June 12, 2013

While the last two years saw a heavy snowpack and late-spring snow accumulation, this year has proved more temperate, with an average snowpack and relatively mild spring. After stretches of sunny weather in early spring, cold fronts that have settled over the region recently have slowed the melt and even added fresh snow as low as 5000'. High elevation trails remain snow-covered, with new snow falling occasionally. Low elevation trails, below 3500' are mostly snow-free, but the snow level can be as high as 6000' on some south-facing slopes in southeastern sections of the park. Check specific conditions below for details.

As temperatures rise and warm rains come to the mountains, creeks run high with snowmelt--small jump-over creeks can become wet fords, and larger creeks may become impassable. Warming temperatures can also increase the avalanche hazard in some areas. Trail crews have cleared many low elevation trails, but most trails have not received any maintenance yet this year, so be prepared for downed trees or other winter damage if venturing more than an average day's travel into the backcountry.

Backcountry travelers should be well prepared for a wide variety of climatic conditions, and leave a detailed trip plan with someone at home. Always check the latest weather forecast, including predicted snow levels, before heading out. 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. Please email us if you have trail conditions to report.

 

Closures and Notices

NEW FOOD CANISTER REQUIREMENTS at 10 backcountry camps and all or parts of 5 cross-country areas. In order to protect visitors and wildlife and to maintain the wilderness character of North Cascades National Park Complex, hard-sided food canisters are required as of June 1 for camping at ten backcountry camps and all or parts of five cross-country zones. More information on food storage requirements, including maps of cross-country zones where canisters are required can be found here. Full statement on policy change.

Stock Closure: Thunder Creek Trail 3 miles south of Colonial Creek Campground due to bridge replacement. Replacement is expected to be completed by June 20. The bridge will be passable for foot travel during construction.

Stock closure: Thunder Creek Trail at Skagit Queen (around 14 miles from the trailhead). The bridge has collapsed and fording is not possible. There is a temporary footlog for hikers.

East end of Diablo Lake Trail CLOSED at the suspension bridge. A massive rockslide that came down in early 2010 still blocks any hiker passage from the Diablo Lake Trail to the haul road, ferry boat, or Ross Lake from this trail. Work on the slide will be ongoing in 2011 and may include blasting. The remainder of the trail is unaffected. See map of closure area.

 

Trail Name	Elevation & Trail Type	Reported Conditions	Date
Agnes Gorge (Stehekin)	Trailhead at 1700', trail's end 2000' Hiker only	Clear of down trees. Expect wet feet at some stream crossings through early summer. Trail is brushy in places.	6/12
Baker River	Trailhead at 800', trail's end at 900' Hiker only	Snowfree with three down trees that are easily passable. A footlog at about 1.5 miles has been swept away, and the stream is narrow but can be swift and difficult to cross if the water is high. Can be very muddy in early season. Expect wet and muddy feet!	6/12
Big Beaver	Ross Dam trailhead at 2100'. Big Beaver 1600'. Beaver Pass 3654' Hiker, Stock	Clear of down trees to 39 Mile Camp. Many downed trees beyond. All camps are snow-free except Beaver Pass Hiker and Stock camps. Patchy snow begins at 3350' and becomes solid at the pass for about a mile. Route finding skills required to cross the pass. Trail is snow free just below the pass to the intersection with Little Beaver Trail. Several downed trees.	6/4
Boulder Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6800' Hiker, Stock	Very brushy. Two large trees down below Hooter Camp may be impassable to stock. Trail brushed and cleared in 2012. Lower sections burned in 2010 fire. Downed trees are common. Expect snow above 6000'.	6/12
Brush Creek to Whatcom Pass	Whatcom Pass: 5055' Hiker, Stock	Expect to be snow covered above 3500' with ice axe required to reach Whatcom Pass. No recent reports. Short sections of this trail burned in 2009. Use caution as snags and trees can fall. Cleared in 2012 but brushy north of Graybeal Camp. Food storage canisters strongly recommended at Whatcom Camp due to limited tree limbs and high bear activity. No hunting, no pets.	6/12
Bullion Loop (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1500' Hiker, Stock	Clear of down trees but brushy. Expect wet feet at stream crossings. Primarily used by stock.	6/12
Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm/ Horseshoe Basin	Trailhead 3660', Cascade Pass 5400', Sahale Glacier camp 7600' Hiker only	The Basin Creek footlog has not been installed for the season. Creek can run high, do not cross if unsafe. Cascade Pass Trail: First 1000' of switchbacks above Cascade Pass trailhead are snow-free. Trail completely snow covered beyond--ice axe and route-finding skills required to reach the pass from the west. From Cottonwood to Doubtful Creek is clear of down trees with some patches of snow. Switchbacks from Doubtful Creek to Pelton Basin are snow covered--ice axe recommended. Pelton Basin Camp is completely snow-covered. Basin Creek Camp is snow-free. Sahale Arm: 90% snow covered. Ice axe and route-finding skills required. Horseshoe Basin: Clear of down trees. Snow-free until avalanche fields near trail's end. Brushy. This trail becomes a creek during snowmelt--wear good waterproof boots in spring and early summer. Many bear sightings in these areas. Use animal resistant food storage canister to secure your food. NO HUNTING; NO PETS	6/12
Company Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', leaves park at 2500' Hiker, stock	Cleared of down trees in first mile (to National Recreation Area boundary). Trail not passable to stock since 2010. Expect down trees in National Forest section of trail and snow above 6000'.	6/12
Copper Ridge	Copper Lookout: 6260' Hiker only	Trail and all camps completely snow covered. No dogs or hunting allowed.	6/18
Dagger Lake / Twisp Pass	Fireweed 3900', Dagger Lake 5508', Twisp Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	Expect snow above 5500'. No recent report.	6/18
Desolation Peak	Trailhead 1605', Lookout 6108' Hiker only	A few downed trees on the lower sections of the trail. Patch snow at 5300'. Solid snow at 5700'. Tent pads at Desolation Camp are snow free. Animal resistant food storage canisters required at the camp. This trail has no water along the trail or at the camp by mid to late summer.	6/12
Devore Creek (Stehekin)	NPS boundary at 2000' Hiker only	Clear of down trees in first mile (to National Recreation Area boundary). Expect snow above 4500' and some down trees in National Forest. Washout at 4 miles not passable to stock. Trail is obscure approaching Ten Mile and Hilgard Passes. Route finding skills needed.	6/12
Diablo Lake	Trailhead 1200' - max. 2000' Hiker only	Clear of snow and down trees. Suspension bridge is CLOSED at east end, cannot access Ross Haul Road or points east due to a 2010 rock slide that closed the haul road.	6/12
East Bank / Hozomeen Lake	Trailhead 1800', Hozomeen Lake (highest pt.) ~2900' Hiker, stock	Snow-free. Cleared of down trees from East Bank trailhead to Lightning Creek. Two sections of many down trees between Willow Lake and Hozomeen Campground on north end of trail. Hozomeen Campground is closed to overnight use until June 21.	6/12
Easy Pass / Fisher Creek	Trailhead 3700', pass 6400' Hiker only	Trailhead is snow-free, but start of trail is under 1'-2' of snow. No report from Easy Pass, expect deep snow above 4000'. Fisher Creek trail snow-free for first 2 miles (up to ~3500') east of junction with Thunder Creek Trail. Fisher Creek Trail cleared in 2012 but not brushed. Logan Creek and another creek close by do not have bridges. Creeks often run too high and fast to ford. Log crossings are possible, but can be challenging. Use caution and always assess current conditions. Do not cross if you do not feel it is safe.	6/12
Flat Creek (Stehekin)	1700' - 2000' Hiker, stock	Expect some down trees and snow-free. No recent report. Cleared and brushed in 2012. West Fork Flat Creek is not bridged, but can be crossed on down log at mile 3.	6/18
Fourth of July Pass	Thunder Creek 1200', 4th of July Pass 3500' Hiker only	Snow free and cleared of downed trees from Thunder Creek turn off to Fourth of July Camp. Trail crews rebuilt portions of trail in 2011 and 2012. No fires at Fourth of July Camp.	6/12
Goode Ridge (Stehekin)	Trailhead 2200', ridge 6600' Hiker, stock	No water after 1.5 miles. Expect snow above 5000'. No recent report.	6/12
Hannegan Pass / Chilliwack River	Trailhead 3000', Hannegan Pass 5060', Canadian border 2000' Hiker, stock	Hannegan Pass Trail mostly snow covered, with solid snow coverage after the first ~2 miles. last 1/2 mile of Hannegan Road is still snow covered and impassable to vehicles. Crossing Hannegan Pass requires ice axe and routefinding skills. Expect Chilliwack trail to be snow covered above 3500'. Bear Creek Camp is over-grown but useable. Cable car and horse ford at the southern crossing of the Chilliwack. Use caution during high water events. Trail not maintained north of Bear Creek Camp. Access via Canada very difficult (consider it a cross country route) due to trail washouts and downed trees.	6/12
Happy Panther	1700 - 2000' Hiker, stock	Cleared of down trees. Some creek crossings are impassable during early season snow melt. Several of the creek crossings are washed out, but are usually passable with care.	6/12
Hidden Lake	Trailhead 3700', Hidden Lake: 5700' Hiker only	Snow free first half mile, then patchy snow through the woods. Once you hike out of the woods and cross the creek, the trail is covered in solid snow. Reaching the lake requires descending a steep boulder field--no trail to lake shore. Dogs and hunting are not allowed beyond the ridge or down to the lake. Bring a food canister, as there are very few trees for food storage.	6/12
Jack Mountain Trail	East Bank Trail (2000') to NPS boundary (5900'). Little Jack summit at 6750'. Hiker	Snow-free to 5100' with ~12 down trees across trail. Patchy snow to 5600' where snow becomes continuous and deep. Trail is not maintained on a regular basis, some sections are be overgrown, eroded and rough in many places.	6/12
Lakeshore Trail (Stehekin)	Elevation 1200' Hiker, stock	Recently cleared of down fall, but blowdowns are common on this trail due to past forest fires. Spring wildflowers are fading. Ticks are common. Two stream crossings require a wet ford. 4 Mile bridge is installed. Passable to hikers from Stehekin to Prince Creek. Not passable to stock below Moore Pt. Meadow Creek crossing is not repaired from 2011 blowout.	6/12
Little Beaver to Whatcom Pass	Ross Lake 1600', Stillwell ~ 2500', Whatcom Pass 5200' Hiker only from Little Beaver to Stillwell.	Approximately 70 trees down between Ross Lake and Perry Creek Camp. Many creek crossings beyond, especially in the Redoubt Creek area. Between Perry Creek and the junction with Big Beaver Trail there are approximately 45 downed trees. No recent report beyond the junction. Expect snow above 3500'. Food canister is strongly recommended for camping at Whatcom Camp, as there are very few trees from which to hang food.	6/4
McAlester Lake / South Pass	Fireweed 3900', McAlester Pass 6000', South Pass 6300' Hiker, stock	Many down trees (more than 50) across trail. Patchy snow on McAlester Pass and around McAlester Lake. McAlester Lake Hiker Camp and High Camp still under snow. Footlog at the East Fork McAlester Creek. Use caution at all stream crossings. Expect snow above ~4000'. Cleared in 2012.	6/15
McGregor Mountain (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1700', Heaton Camp 7000' Hiker, stock	Many down trees. Snow-free to ~6000'. Reaching the summit requires steep rocky scrambling and is difficult in any season.	6/12
Monogram Lake / Lookout Mountain	Trailhead 1300', Monogram Lake 4872' Hiker only	Clear of snow to junction of Monogram & Lookout trails. Patchy snow begins soon after Park boundary and becomes solid in basin before reaching 5200' ridgeline. Ice axe recommended and routefinding skills required to reach lake. Monogram Camp is snow covered but the composting toilet is melted out. Monogram Lake camp rebuilt fall of 2012. Food canisters are required at Monogram Lake--very high bear activity in area. No dogs and no hunting allowed in National Park.	6/15
Newhalem Creek	Trailhead 1000', trail's end 1800' Hiker	Unmaintained trail with downed trees and brushy, eroded conditions. Camp not maintained. Not passable for stock. No recent report.	6/12
North Fork Bridge Creek	2800' to 4200' Hiker, stock	Patchy snow below Walker Park, solid snow beyond. Must ford Grizzly Creek --use caution or turn back if water too high. Grizzly Camp rebuilt 2012--hikers do not need to ford creek to reach camp now. Walker Park Stock Camp also rebuilt. Due to repeated water damage from its proximity to Grizzly Creek, Grizzly Creek Stock Camp has been permanently closed--stock use Walker Park instead.	6/12
Pacific Crest Trail North (Bridge Creek Trail)	Bridge Creek Trailhead: 4640' Hiker, stock	Hwy 20 trailhead is snow-free, but trail is under snow until near the Park boundary. Fireweed Camp is melted out. Many down trees reported between Hwy 20 and Fireweed. Maple Creek footbridge has been installed for the season. The horse ford of Maple Creek is frequently impassable due to high water while snow is still melting. Just 1 mile south of SR 20, bridge is out, but a foot bridge and stock ford have been installed, so it is passable once snow melts. Stock must ford Bridge Creek twice to access Fireweed Stock Camp.	6/12
Pacific Crest Trail South (Old Wagon Trail and Agnes Creek Trail)	1700' - 2300' Hiker	Clear of down trees. Expect some wet feet at creek crossings.	6/12
Panther Creek	Trailhead 1800', Panther Camp ~2000', Fourth of July Pass 3500' Hiker only	Clear of down trees between Hwy 20 and Panther Camp. Wildflowers are out in some avalanche chutes and some snow may still linger at 2 large slide areas above Panther Camp. Several down trees, easily passable on foot. Footlog over Panther Creek. New bridge under construction in 2012. In 2011, trail crews rebuilt much trail tread, so expect better conditions and less brush than past years.	6/15
Park Creek Pass	Trailhead (Stehekin)2300', Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	Expect snow above 5000'--ice axe required to reach the pass. No recent report. Cleared and mostly brushed in 2012. Creek crossing of Park Creek at Two Mile Camp is not bridged--fording not possible at high water levels. Trail is not recommended for stock. Note: Buckner Camp, as seen on some old maps, no longer exists due to flood damage.	6/18
Purple Creek / War Creek	Trailhead 1200' Hiker, stock	Clear of down trees in first 3.5 miles (to ~3500'), many down trees above that point--impassable to stock. Expect snow above 6000'--ice axe required to reach the pass. Juanita Lake Camp completely snow covered. Campfires are not allowed at Juanita Lake Camp--use stoves for cooking. War Creek Trail: Expect snow above 5000'. In 2011, War Creek trailhead on east side became inaccessible by car due to washout of the road ~3/4 mile from trailhead. Stock parties should carry saw and wedges for down trees.	6/18
Pyramid Lake	Trailhead 1100', Lake 2600' Hiker only	Clear of snow and down trees. Please help protect the Research Natural Area: camping and fires are not allowed at Pyramid Lake or along Pyramid Creek.	6/12
Rainbow Creek (Stehekin)	McAlester Pass 6000' Hiker, stock	Clear of down trees from Stehekin Valley to Rainbow Ford. More than 40 trees down between Rainbow Ford and McAlester Pass. Solid snow covers trail above Bowan Camp. Black bear obtained human food at Rainbow Ford Camp. Please store your food carefully. Hiker bridge at Rainbow Ford has been installed for the season. Lower sections burned in 2010 Rainbow Creek Fire--watch for falling snags in burn areas.	6/9
Rainbow Lake	Rainbow Lake 5630', Bowan Pass 6200' Hiker, stock	Expect solid snow coverage above 5000'. Route-finding skills required. Ice axe required to reach Bowan Pass. Trail is brushy in several places. Not passable to stock north of Bowan Pass. Access from north: Bridge Creek at South Fork Camp is not bridged, not fordable at current high water levels. Expect solid snow above 4500', ice axe and routefinding skills required to reach Bowan Pass. Many trees down between South Fork and Bowan Pass in 2012.	6/18
Rainbow Loop (Stehekin)	Elevation 1200' to 2200' Hiker, stock	Cleared of down trees. New tread installed through a debris flow ~1/2 mile from the up-valley end of the loop. Black-backed woodpeckers are common in the Rainbow Bridge Fire burn area. Use caution as blow-downs are common due to 2010 wild fire.	6/18
Sourdough / Pierce Mountain	Trailhead at 900', Sourdough Camp at 5055'. Lookout is at 5968' Hiker only	Several down trees in first couple miles, all easily passable on foot. Sourdough Camp mostly snow covered. Significant snow begins around 4,200', where an ice ax is required and crampons are recommended due to steep angle snow. Route finding skills required above 4,200'. Food canisters required for camping at Sourdough Camp. No dogs or hunting in the National Park. Pierce MtnTrail: Expect snow above 3500'. No recent report. Pierce Mtn Camp completely snow covered. Trail is difficult to follow from the lookout to Pierce Mountain Camp, especially when snowy. Trail below camp is very brushy and there were many downed trees in 2012. Several small ponds near Pierce Mtn Camp are the only water sources on east side of Sourdough ridge. Food canister required for camping at the camp.	6/12
Stetattle Creek	Trailhead at 900' Hiker only	Clear of down trees and snow-free. There are several challenging sections: a section in the first 1/4 mile where the creek has taken out the trail (some scrambling and hand holds). There are also several stream crossings along the route that may be challenging or wet foot crossings. Not recommended for beginners or families with small children.	6/12
Stiletto Spur / Stiletto Peak	4000' to ~6100' Hiker, stock	Expect Stiletto Peak Trail to be snow covered above 5000', ice axe strongly recommended. Stiletto Spur: Mostly snow-free. The foot log crossing State Creek (near the junction with Bridge Creek Trail/PCT) is not recommended for use. Creek is fordable, but could be challenging early season during snow melt and after rain. Spur Trail paralleling Bridge Creek has numerous downed trees and is brushy in places. Not passable to stock. Stiletto Peak Trail had many downed trees in 2012. Stiletto Peak Trail fades out in meadows at 6100'.	6/18
Stehekin River (Stehekin)	1200' Hiker only	Temporary footlog has been installed to replace log bridge that had collapsed 3/4 mile from northern end of trail. Great wildflowers!! Brushy in places. Trail access is from south end of Stehekin airstrip. Trail often floods in the spring with high water events.	6/12
Summit Trail (Stehekin)	Juanita Lake 6800', high point 7440' Hiker, stock	Snow covered.	6/12
Thornton Lake	Trailhead 3000', ridge above lake is 5000', Thornton Lake 4500' Hiker only	Clear of snow and down trees for first mile, until the far side of the third stream crossing. Footlog with hand rail installed. Mostly to completely snow covered beyond and lake is frozen over. Stream fords can become impassable in warm weather and snow melt increases--use caution. Three washed out areas one mile from trailhead. From the ridge, the trail to lake is steeper than most trails and can be very slippery when wet or icy. Just before crossing the outlet, the trail drops through a small boulder field, and there is one section that can require some rock-climbing moves to navigate. Drop your pack down first, and use caution. Crossing the lake outlet requires crossing a logjam. Use caution. Animal resistant food storage canisters required for camping. No fires, no pets, no hunting.	6/11
Thunder Creek	Trailhead 1200', Junction camp 3100', Park Creek Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	CLOSED TO STOCK 3 miles south of Thunder Creek Trailhead during bridge replacement; expected to re-open by June 25. Bridge is passable for foot-travelers during replacement. Clear of down trees to McAllister Stock Camp, several down trees between McAllister Stock Camp and Skagit Queen Camps, impassable to stock but passable to hikers. As of June 1: Snowfree to 1 mile above Skagit Queen Camp, where trail becomes completely snow-covered and requires route-finding skills (no recent report). Bridge over Thunder Creek at Skagit Queen Camp is a hiker-only footlog. Closed to stock at this point--there is no safe ford. The upper crossing of Thunder Creek (just before Thunder Basin Stock Camp) requires a ford--do not cross at high or unsafe water levels.	6/15
Thunder Knob	1200' to 1875' Hiker only	Snowfree and cleared of down trees. The creek has changed course and one footlog is unusable--easy to pass, but water may run down the trail with high snowmelt. Use caution if crossing fast flowing water.	6/12
Upper Stehekin Valley Trail (old road from Bridge Creek Camp to Cottonwood Camp)	Bridge Creek Camp (2200') to Cottonwood Camp(2800') Hiker, Stock	Cleared of downed trees. Patchy snow between Park Creek and Cottonwood. Solid snow above Cottonwood	6/12