News Release

Additional Areas, Trails, and Camps Reopen – Continued Minimal Fire Behavior on Sourdough Fire

Date: September 11, 2023
Contact: Katy Hooper

Park officials have reopened additional areas, trails, and camps today, Monday, September 11. Diablo Lake, Thunder Point and Hidden Cove boat-in camps, Happy Panther Trail, Ross Lake Resort, and Ross Dam Trail from the trailhead to Ross Lake Resort are now open. Ross Lake is open for day use only. Colonial Creek South Campground walk-in sites 64-73 are open on a first-come, first-served basis with limited services available. Camping remains closed at Colonial Creek North and the remainder of Colonial Creek South campgrounds.   

Ross Lake boat-in camps, Ross Lake overnight use, and other area, trail, and camp closures remain in effect. Closures continue to be assessed to manage visitor safety, firefighter access, and emergency response in conjunction with firefighting efforts on the Sourdough Fire.

Trail closures include:

• Trails on the west side of Ross Lake including trails west of Ross Dam, Diablo Lake, Stetattle Creek, Big Beaver, Sourdough Mountain, and Little Beaver trails

Camp closures include: 

• Ross Lake boat-in, Sourdough and Pierce Mountain camps, and camps accessed from Big and Little Beaver trails 

Area, trail, and camp closure information can be found on the park’s Fire Closures page.

The Sourdough Fire has seen a season slowing event over the last two weeks with cooler temperatures, higher humidities, and slight moisture across the area. Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation is expected throughout the next week bringing warm and dry conditions; minimal to moderate fire behavior is expected. Smoke may be visible from State Route 20 from heavy, downed fuels smoldering in the interior of the fire perimeter.  The Sourdough Fire is at 6,280 acres and 25% containment. 

Visitors should be aware of fire restrictions in all areas of the park complex. Campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills, are banned in in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex – North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley. If you see smoke or flames dial 911 or report to a park visitor or information center. Contact the Wilderness Information Center for trail information at [e-mail]. 

www.nps.gov/noca