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

Updated October 23, 2009 **LAST UPDATE OF THE SEASON**

As winter approaches, weather in the North Cascades continues to be mixture of warm heavy rains, sun breaks, and cooler temperatures with snow at higher elevations. Fall colors are still plentiful with golden larches in the high country and the reds and yellows of maples and other shrubs at lower elevations.

Autumn weather changes quickly. Heavy rains can mean deep snows in the high country and swollen streams below. Seasonal bridges have been removed for the winter. Wind storms bring new trees across trails. Be sure to check the weather forecast and snow level before heading out. There are very few updates for the trails below, but you can still get a sense of what the trail was like during the summer. Expect fresh snow on all trails above 4000 feet and lower as the snow level drops. Carry extra food and clothing and leave an itinerary with family and friends. Please e-mail e-mail us if you can provide a trail update. Bear and deer hunting seasons are underway in the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas; wearing bright colors is recommended. Hunting is not allowed in the National Park.

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.

CLOSURES AND NOTICES:

The Cascade River Rd has re-opened as far as mile 20 (Eldorado Creek, 3 miles before the end of the road). Repairs have been completed at Hard Creek (mile 12).

Happy Creek Boardwalk - This short boardwalk trail is closed for the 2009 season while it is being rebuilt.

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)	Trailhead at 1700', trail's end 2000' Hiker only	Clear and open.	8/9
Baker River Trail	Trailhead at 800', trail's end at 900' Hiker only	Cleared of downfall. Slump at mile 1.5 has been repaired.	10/16
Big Beaver Trail	Ross Dam trailhead at 2100’. Big Beaver 1600’. Beaver Pass 3654’ Hiker, Stock	A few trees down upstream from Big Beaver camp block access to stock. Some spots a little brushy. Black bear sightings common; practice proper food storage.	9/15
Boulder Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6800' Hiker, Stock	Clear and open. Brushy conditions from Rennie Creek to Rainbow Creek Trail junction. Small & narrow granite slide area between Hooter Camp and Rainbow Creek trail.	7/22
Brush Creek to Whatcom Pass	Whatcom Pass: 5055’ Hiker, Stock	A burn crossed the trail in summer '09, use caution in these sections as snags and trees can fall.	9/20
Bullion Loop (Stehekin)	Hiker, Stock	Cleared of downfall.	7/1
Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm / Horseshoe Basin	Trailhead 3660’, Cascade Pass 5400’, Sahale Glacier camp 7600’ Hiker only	Cascade Pass: Composting toilet closed for the season.Pelton Basin: Composting toilet closed for the season. Sahale Arm Fresh snow. Composting toilet is closed for the season. Bear canister recommended for overnight stays--deer, mice, marmots and goats are becoming aggressive. Water available at 6900' and at Camp. Large crevasses are opening on Sahale Glacier. Roped travel recommended for any travel to Sahale Peak. Doubtful Lake: Access trail is brushy. Trail has been cleared of downfall and brush east of Pelton Basin down to Cottonwood. Basin Creek footlog has been removed for the season. Use caution when crossing as creek levels will vary depending on current weather conditions. Basin Creek Camp rebuilt in August 2008 -- now on west side of Basin Creek. Horseshoe Basin trail very brushy and wet.	10/3
Company Creek (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1200', leaves park at 2500' Hiker, stock	A burn crossed the trail in summer '09. Use caution in these sections of the trail as snags and trees can fall.	9/20
Copper Ridge	Copper Lookout: 6260’ Hiker only	Trail from Boundary Camp to ridge is clear except for a couple down trees near Boundary Camp--easily passable. In early fall, there is no measurable water on Copper Ridge other than in Egg and Copper lakes. There are a few downed trees and some brushy sections north of Copper Lake. The fords of the Chilliwack River and Indian Creek will vary with current weather patterns.	9/15
Dagger Lake / Twisp Pass	Fireweed 3900', Dagger Lake 5508', Twisp Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	Not cleared of downfall. Large avalanche debris field obliterates trail 1/2 mile west of Dagger Lake. Impassable to stock, hikers use caution and travel carefully. Route is flagged with orange tape, but is extremely unstable and difficult to negotiate. Debris is 6-8' deep and 150 yds wide. One 3' tree down between Twisp Pass and Dagger Lake, also impassable to stock.	9/20
Desolation Peak	Trailhead 1605', Lookout 6608’ Hiker only	Clear of downed trees. Brushy in places. No water source along trail. Aggressive marmot behavior reported at Desolation Camp--bear canister required.	10/03
Devore Creek (Stehekin)	Leaves park at 2000' Hiker only	Cleared of downfall, but very brushy from Bird Camp to trailhead. There is a wash-out at 4-miles that is not passable to stock. Rough tread in places, and trail is obscure approaching Ten Mile and Hilgard passes. Route finding skills are necessary in these areas.	10/23
Diablo Lake	1200 – 2000’ Hiker only	Cleared of downfall.	7/1
East Bank / Hozomeen Lake	Trailhead 1800’, Hozomeen Lake (highest pt.) ~2900’ Hiker, stock	Cleared of downed trees from SR20 to Lightning Creek. A small rockslide between Lightning and Deerlick camps is passable to hikers, but may be difficult for stock. North end of trail has been cleared from Lightning Creek to Willow Lake, but trail is impassable to stock between Willow and Hozomeen Lakes. Cleared of downed trees from Hozomeen Lake to Hozomeen.	8/11
Easy Pass / Fisher Creek	Trailhead 3700’, pass 6400’ Hiker only	Fall colors at pass, trail in good shape with some snow at higher elevations. Areas of mild brush and some trail tread slumping below Easy Pass toward Fisher. Cleared of downed trees between Fisher and Cosho, but expect brush and potential for downfall beyond. Logan Creek crossing not bridged. There are logs upstream and downstream, but scope for the best spot, and use caution when conditions are wet, as logs can be slippery.	9/21
Flat Creek (Stehekin)	1700' - 2000' Hiker, stock	Trail is partially cleared of downfall and brushed.	9/22
Fourth of July Pass	Thunder Creek 1200’, 4th of July Pass 3500’ Hiker only	Trail and camp are open. A few downed logs across trail. No water at camp.	9/11
Goode Ridge (Stehekin)	Trailhead 2200', ridge 6600' Hiker, stock	First mile of trail is clear of brush and downfall. Some brush and downfall beyond.Carry water--no water along trail. Lots of bear activity.	9/22
Hannegan Pass / Chilliwack River	Trailhead 3000’, Hannegan Pass 5060’, Canadian border 2000’ Hiker, stock	Trail cleared to park boundary except for one large tree down over the switchbacks between Hannegan Pass and park boundary is impassable to stock--very difficult for hikers to get around. Debris slides in first mile are easily passable. Cable car over Chilliwack River open and usable. A few trees across trail below Boundary Camp and trail is brushy in sections. No major obstacles between Brush Creek junction north to Indian Creek camp. Trail not maintained north of Bear Creek Camp. Access via Canada very difficult to impossible due to trail washouts.	9/15
Happy Panther	1700 – 2000’ Hiker, stock	Many downed trees, passable to hikers.	8/12
Hidden Lake	Trailhead 3700’, Hidden Lake: 5700’ Hiker only	Open with a few downed trees.Expect snow on upper portions of the trail.	10/16
Jack Mountain Trail	East Bank Trail (2000') to NPS boundary (5900')	Unmaintained trail that disappears in the meadows below Little Jack Mt. Very steep, many trees to be crawled and stepped over, lots of brush to duck under and step over. About 2.5 miles up the trail is difficult to find and follow for about 1/4 mile.	8/11
Lakeshore Trail (Stehekin)	Elevation 1200' Hiker, stock	Cleared of downfall, but in burned sections expect trees down throughout the season. Prince Creek Trail: Maintained to 4 mile. There is a slide before 2 mile not passable to stock, and the bridge at 4 mile is significantly damaged, and also not passable to stock. Fish Creek Trail: cleared of logs and brushed.	7/29
Little Beaver to Whatcom Pass	Ross Lake 1600’, Stillwell ~ 2500’, Whatcom Pass 5200’ Hiker only from Little Beaver to Stillwell, then hiker, stock	Trail mostly clear of trees, with few brushy spots below Big Beaver Trail jct. Trail to toilet at Perry Creek camp is blocked by a large downed tree. Flood damage at Perry & Redoubt Creeks have eroded the trail - follow trail crew flagging through damaged areas. Two mudslides occurred between Stillwell Camp and Twin Rocks Camp- easily passable. Trail is also wet in one section before climbing out of the valley towards Whatcom Pass, with water flowing on trail. Footbed on switchbacks below Whatcom Pass are very narrow and eroded in one gully, footing is slippery in places. Use caution with foot placement.Trail mostly cleared of brush.	9/15
McAlester Lake / South Pass	Fireweed 3900', McAlester Pass 6000', South Pass 6300' Hiker, stock	One tree down requires 24" step-over by stock. Trail otherwise clear. Ver little flowing water at McAlester Pass. Trail to South Pass is clear and open.	8/31
McGregor Mountain (Stehekin)	Trailhead 1700', Heaton Camp 7000' Hiker, stock	Trail has been cleared of downfall and brush and tread is in good shape. There is water available ½ mile below Heaton Camp. There is no water at Heaton Camp. Note: Reaching summit requires steep rocky scramble, difficult in any season.	9/27
Monogram Lake/Lookout Mountain	Trailhead 1300’, Monogram Lake 4872’ Hiker only	Trail up to Monogram Lake turnoff is in good condition. A few large trees remain over trail from turnoff to meadow, but smaller trees and limbs have been cleared. Expect snow in higher elevations. Many High level of black bear activity; bear cans highly recommended.	10/03
Newhalem Creek	Trailhead 1000’, trail’s end 1800’ Hiker, stock	Unmaintained trail with downed trees and brushy, eroded conditions. Camp at trail's end difficult to find.	7/29
North Fork Bridge Creek	2800' to 4200' Hiker, stock	A few trees down across trail blocking access for stock. Grizzly Creek ford depth varies with currrent weather patterns.Trail very brushy above Grizzly Creek crossing.	8/28
Pacific Crest Trail North (Bridge Creek)	Bridge Creek Trailhead: 4640’ Hiker, stock	Open to stock all the way to Stehekin. Brushed from Fireweed to Maple Creek. Maple Creek hiker's bridge removed for the season, ford will vary with weather conditions. Footlog in place over Bridge Creek to Fireweed Camp and McAlester Trail. New hitch rail built at South Fork Stock camp.	9/14
Pacific Crest Trail South (Old Wagon Trail to Agnes Creek)	1700' - 2300' Hiker	Recommended alternative to the washed out Stehekin Valley Rd. South of Agnes Creek, trail has been cleared of downfall to Suiattle Pass. A footlog has been washed out approximately 3 miles above Hemlock Camp.	8/20
Panther Creek	Trailhead 1800’, Panther Camp ~2000’, Fourth of July Pass 3500’ Hiker only	A fire from Summer '09 burned across the trail. Use caution in these sections as snags and trees can fall.	9/20
Park Creek Pass	Trailhead (Stehekin)2300', Pass 6100' Hiker, stock	Trail has been brushed and cleared of downfall to Park Creek Pass.Expect snow at higher elevations. Five Mile Camp has only two usable sites as the third is covered with rock debris. Footbridge installed at Two Mile Camp for hikers only. (Note: Buckner Camp, as seen on some old maps, no longer exists due to flood damage.)	10/03
Purple Creek/War Creek	Trailhead 1200', Juanita Lake 6800' Hiker, stock	Trail is open and clear. In early fall, water was not available above crossing of Purple Creek. Fires not allowed at Juanita Lake--bring stoves to cook.	9/3
Pyramid Lake	Trailhead 1100’, Lake 2600’ Hiker only	BEES (or ground nesting hornets) have stung some folks in the first part of this trail--watch for insect activity and avoid the ground nest, which could be in the trail. A few downed trees, easily passable.	9/28
Rainbow Creek (Stehekin)	McAlester Pass 6000' Hiker, stock	Trail cleared of downfall and stock accessible. Bridge at Rainbow Ford removed for the season. Brushy on either side of creek crossings.	10/3
Rainbow Lake	Rainbow Lake 4074', Bowan Pass 6200' Hiker, stock	Cleared of downfall. No bridge at South Fork Camp: Water level at ford varies with current weather conditions. Use caution. Cleared of trees between South Fork and Bowan Pass. One boulder in trail just below Bowan Pass makes trail impassable to stock. Bear seen in South Fork Camp, proper food storage is important.	9/12
Rainbow Loop (Stehekin)	Elevation 1200' to 2200'. Hiker, stock	Clear.	7/16
Sourdough / Pierce Mountain	Trailhead at 900’, Sourdough Camp at 5055’. Lookout is at 5968’ Hiker only	Snowfree to lookout and along ridge. Many trees down across trail, all easily passable. Water level at Sourdough Creek varies with current weather. Pierce Mtn Trail very brushy with much downfall, some route finding required. Trail is dry before Riprap Creek. Water at camp is small tarn.	10/16
Upper Stehekin Valley Trail	Bridge Creek (2200') to Cottonwood (2800') Hiker, Stock	This is the old road from Bridge Creek Camp to Cottonwood Camp. Reroute section between Cottonwood and Flat Creek camps is complete and passable to hikers and stock.	8/12
Stetattle Creek	Trailhead at 900’ Hiker only	Rockslide at 1/4 mile may be impassable for some hikers; scrambling required. Expect very wild conditions the farther one travels: trail erosion, treefall, and brushy conditions.	8/20
Stiletto Spur	4000’ to ~6100’ Hiker, stock	Trail to ridgeline in good shape. Cairns mark route through meadow to site of old lookout.	8/21
Stehekin River (Stehekin)	1200' Hiker only	Trail access is from the south end of the Stehekin airstrip. Snow free. Cleared of downfall except for one large tree across trail appoximately one mile in. Footlog over Margerum Creek is in place.	8/13
Summit Trail (Stehekin)	Juanita Lake 6800', high point 7440' Hiker, stock	Ceared of downfall.	9/3
Thornton Lake	Trailhead 3000’, ridge above lake is 5000’, Thornton Lake 4500’ Hiker only	Three stream crossings in first 1.5 miles --water levels vary greatly with current weather patterns. Use caution when crossing these areas. Beautiful autumn colors and berries. The final quarter mile down to the lake is very steep, slick and muddy when wet. Just before crossing the outlet on logs, there is a steep, rocky 15' downclimb. There are good foot and handholds, but consider lowering your pack before descending. Please, no fires and no dogs at the lake.	9/16
Thunder Creek	Trailhead 1200’, Junction camp 3100’, Park Creek Pass 6100’ Hiker, stock	Cleared of downed trees to just beyond Skagit Queen. Brushy conditions approaching Thunder Basin, trail partially obscured in places. Long pants recommended due to nettles and cow parsnip. Ford at Thunder Creek varies with current weather. Avalanche debris field 1/4 mile south of Thunder Basin hiker camp. Use caution crossing. Trail is difficult to find on north side of debris. Composting toilet at hiker camp is closed for the season.	9/19
Thunder Knob	1200’ to 1875’ Hiker only	Clear. Footlogs in place over Colonial Creek.	7/23