Wildflowers are starting to bloom on the Lakeshore trail. The trail is in good shape, but some sections are burned over from the Pioneer Fire. Be aware of hazards like dead trees and debris flows in drainages.
NPS
April 21, 2024
With State Route 20 opening up, it feels like summer is just around the corner! Lower elevation trails are melted out and wildflowers are starting to bloom on the east side.
Although it is warm and sunny in the lowlands, it is still winter up in the mountains. Snow levels are currently around 3500 feet, depending on aspect and sun exposure. Be prepared with proper training and equipment for snow travel.
Permits are available through self-registration at a permit station or online.
Backcountry Permits are required year round for all overnight trips in the park and they help us locate you in an emergency. Be sure to check the weather forecast, trail conditions, and closures beforehand. As always, leave a detailed itinerary with a friend or family member, including the date and time you plan to exit the backcountry.
Keep wildlife alive and well by keeping your distance and storing your scented items properly. When given the opportunity to obtain human food, habituation can occur and result in harm to the animal, even euthanization. Be a part of the prevention, not the problem.
Stay up-to-date with road, trail, and camp closures related to wildfire and seasonal winter closures using the helpful links provided. Understand the rules and regulations, including food storage requirements at each camp or cross-country zone, prior to your visit. You can find the backcountry permit process and regulations on the backcountry permit page.
Note: Overnight camping at trailheads in the National Park is prohibited. This includes the Eldorado, Boston Basin, and Cascade Pass trailheads.
Closures related to 2024 fires - See the full list on the Fire Closures page.
Current Trail Conditions
Current trail conditions are reported by rangers and trail crew, and updated as frequently as possible. Please read the "general" condition for each trail when there is no recent update available. E-mail us if you have trail conditions to report.
North Cascades National Park Complex is a dynamic, natural environment where events and conditions are unpredictable. There is a possibility that trail and campground closures, environmental conditions (such as snow, high stream crossings, etc.), natural events (such as fires, aggressive animals, etc.), or other NPS management actions may impact your trip.
Ross Dam Trailhead at 2100'
Big Beaver Camp 1600'
Beaver Pass 3654'
Hiker, Stock
General: Trail is generally snow-free in spring. Stillwell Camp has many down logs in camp blocking the main trail, which makes it confusing to navigate. Toilet is located on far skier's right (east of the camp sites).
Little Beaver (Ross Lake to Whatcom Pass)
Ross Lake 1600', Stillwell Camp 2500',
Whatcom Pass 5200'
Hiker only from Little Beaver to Stillwell
General: The Little Beaver trail is not regularly maintained and can be challenging to follow.Perry Creek and Redoubt Creek present difficult crossings in early seasons despite foot logs (may or may not be present).
General (2023): Perry Creek Camp signpost is currently off the main trail (a slight reroute), plus old, making it hard to see especially for hikers coming from Big Beaver direction. Sections of Little Beaver trail are washed out and can be hard to find (some blue flagging and rock cairns are there to guide the way).
Whatcom Pass is closed due to fire damage from 2022.
Trail Name
Elevation and Trail Type
Reported Conditions
Thunder Creek (Colonial Creek Campground to Park Creek Pass)
Trailhead (Colonial Creek Campground) 1200'
Park Creek Pass 6100'
Hiker, stock
General: Ford of Thunder Creek north of Thunder Basin Stock can be high or impassable during spring run-off or after heavy rains. Food canisters required for camping at Thunder Basin Camp June 1 - Nov. 15. Stoves only, no fires at Thunder Basin Camp.
Thunder Creek trail junction 1300'
Fourth of July Pass 3500'
Hiker only
Ruby Cross-country Zone - partial closure: all areas that burned in the 2024 Ruby Fire are closed to public access, including the climbing access route on the south of Ruby Mountain. Skier access on the north side of Ruby Mountain from Ross Dam Trailhead remains open.
No campfires allowed--please bring a camp stove if camping at Fourth of July Camp.
Trailhead 1800', Panther Camp ~2000'
Fourth of July Pass 3500'
Hiker only
General: Panther Camp was rebuilt and relocated in 2012 and is 3.7 miles from the trailhead (~0.5 miles southwest of the old camp). New bridge built in 2013 over Panther Creek.
Easy Pass / Fisher Creek
Trailhead 3700', Easy Pass 6400'
Hiker only
No camping at Easy Pass
Park Creek (Park Creek Pass to Upper Stehekin Valley Trail)
Stehekin River 2300',
Park Creek Pass 6100'
Hiker, stock
Bridge Creek Trailhead 4600’,
NPS South Boundary 2000’
Hiker, stock
Temporary suspension bridges at Maple Creek and North Fork are not yet installed for the 2025 season.
South of the Park, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness (USFS): No current report. Due to hazard trees, it is not safe to camp at Hemlock Camp. Alternative camps include 2.4 miles south of Suiattle Pass (just before entering Sitting Bull Basin), Cedar Camp 2.8 miles north of Hemlock Camp, and 1.9 miles up the South Fork Agnes Creek Trail. The bridge over Agnes Creek at Hemlock Camp is out of service.
Aggressive bear activity has been reported in all the camps along the PCT, especially Fireweed and South Fork. Remember to store your food and all scented items properly at all times!
General: Bears are common along this drainage. Be vigilant about keeping camps clean and use food storage lockers. Report all bear sightings to rangers at any North Cascades National Park contact station
Trailhead at 1700', trail ends at 2000'
Hiker only
No recent report
Dagger Lake / Twisp Pass
Fireweed 3900', Dagger Lake 5508',
Twisp Pass 6100'
Hiker, stock
No recent report
Backcountry permits required for overnight stays at Stiletto Lake; dogs not permitted.
North Fork
2800' to 4200'
Hiker, stock
No recent report
General: CrossingGrizzly Creek requires a ford of 3 channels -- all can run high and fast and can be unsafe to ford during early season snowmeltand after large rain events. Trail is often faint and hard to follow in northern-most 2 miles. Grizzly Creek Camp was rebuilt in 2012 south of Grizzly Creek ford. Due to repeated flooding of Grizzly Creek, Grizzly Creek Stock Camp is permanently closed--stock should use Walker Park.
Fireweed 3900', McAlester Pass 6000',
South Pass 6300', Bench Creek 3800’,
Rainbow Bridge 2040’
Hiker, stock
The temporary suspension bridge at Rainbow Ford will be removed October 28.
General: Seasonal bridge at Rainbow Ford is removed every fall. Ford may be high or impassable at other times of year.Southern end of this trail passes through the 2010 Rainbow Bridge Fire zone. There may be new downed trees between Rainbow Ford and Rainbow Bridge camps.
General: Food storage canisters are recommended for camping at Heaton Camp -- hanging food can be difficult here. No fires allowed at Heaton Camp.
Stiletto Spur / Stiletto Peak
4000' to ~6100'
Hiker, stock
No recent report. Expect snow on Stiletto Peak trail.
General: Route-finding required to reach the location of the old fire lookout on a sub-peak of Stiletto Ridge. Trail receives only light maintenance. Trail fades out in meadows at ~6100'.In Stiletto Cross-Country Zone, which includes Stiletto Lake, CAMPING PERMITS REQUIRED - STOVES ONLY, NO FIRES.
Stiletto Spur: General - Stock parties have a difficult approach to both sides of ford of State Creek. The foot log crossing over State Creek is not recommended for use. Ford can be impassable after large rain/snow events. Stock parties should use Pacific Crest Trail instead.
Trailhead 3000'
Hannegan Pass 5060'
Canadian border 2000'
Hiker, stock
The Chilliwack River trail is closed from the cable car to the Northern terminus due to fire damage from 2022- Fire Closures
No recent report.
Bear Creek camp is closed due to fire damage (2021)
General: Cable car over the Chilliwack replaced on 10/2019. Trail is passible to stock to US Cabin. Brush Creek/access to Graybeal Camp is currently inaccessible to stock. Pets and hunting are not allowed in the National Park. Trail north of Bear Creek Camp is abandoned and is a difficult bush-whack cross-country route. Little Chilliwack Camp no longer exists due to the changing course of the Chilliwack River.
The Copper Ridge trail is closed north of Copper Lake camp due to fire damage from 2022- Fire Closures
No recent report.
General: In summer, no water between Boundary Camp and the ridge. Water on the ridge is available at Copper and Egg Lakes. No water at Silesia Camp once snows melt--must get water at Egg Lake (1 mile round-trip). Trail can be brushy at low elevations on the north end of the ridge, near the ford of the Chilliwack River and Indian Creek. No reliable water between one mile east of Copper Lake and the Chilliwack River.
Brush Creek (to Whatcom Pass)
Whatcom Pass: 5055'
Hiker, Stock
The entire Brush Creek trail is closed due to fire damage from 2022- Fire Closures
General: Hard-sided food storage canisters strongly recommended at Whatcom Camp due to limited tree limbs and high animal activity.
Trailhead 3660', Cascade Pass 5400',
Sahale Glacier Camp 7600'
Hiker only. No Pets, No Hunting
Cascade River Road is currently gated at milepost 21. Foot traffic is allowed beyond the gate but be prepared for snowy conditions.
The Basin Creek Bridge is not yet installed for the 2025 season.
General: Cascade River Road typically does not open to Cascade Pass Trailhead until July 1st- condition dependent.
NO CAMPING AT CASCADE PASS, Doubtful Lake, and anywhere along the trail. Camping only allowed at designated camps. Trail typically not snow free until mid-July.
Trail is closed due to 2024 Flat Creek Fire
Flat Creek camp is currently closed due to hazard trees.
Upper Stehekin Valley Trail/ Stehekin Road (old road from Bridge Creek Camp to Cottonwood Camp)
Bridge Creek Camp (2200') to Cottonwood Camp(2800')
Hiker, Stock
No recent report.
Trail Name
Elevation and Trail Type
Reported Conditions
Boulder Creek
Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6900'
Hiker, Stock
Trail is closed due to the 2024 Pioneer Fire
3/30-Trail cleared 1/2 mile past Hooter hiker camp
Lower sections burned in 2010 Rainbow Bridge Fire and the 2014 Lone Mountain Fire; the trail can be dry and dusty. Blowdowns are common on this trail due to past forest fires.
Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6900',
War Creek Pass 6500'
Hiker, Stock
Trail is closed due to the 2024 Pioneer Fire
4/2- Purple Creek trail cleared 4.5 miles up from Stehekin Landing
Summer: Only water source is at crossing of Purple Creek 2 miles from Stehekin. Very slow-flowing spring near Juanita Lake--the lake is stagnant and not an attractive water source in late season.Campfires are not allowed at Juanita Lake Camp--bring camp stove for cooking.
Trail is closed due to the 2024 Pioneer Fire
No recent report
Trail Name
Elevation and Trail Type
Reported Conditions
Baker River
Trailhead at 800', trail's end at 900'
Hiker only
No recent report
General: This trail begins on Forest Service land and crosses into the National Park: dogs are not allowed in the national park and backcountry permits are required to stay at Sulphide Creek Camp.
Trailhead 3700', Hidden Lake: 5700',
Hidden Lake Lookout: 6,700'
Hiker only Pets not allowed in the National Park
4WD/AWD/high-clearance highly recommended to reach the trailhead.
No recent report. Trail is typically snow-covered until late June or July.
Backcountry Camping Permits are required past the saddle and down to Hidden Lake. Reaching Hidden Lake requires traveling over a very challenging and steep boulder field.
Food canisters required in Hidden Lake Cross Country Zone June 1 - Nov. 15.Pets and hunting are not allowed beyond the ridge or down to the lake.
Lookout Mountain (USFS): Last flowing water source in summer is ~1/2 mile past the trail split to Monogram Lake. A small pool of water is just below the lookout.
General: Pets and hunting are not allowed in National Park. Food canisters are required for camping at Monogram Lake June 1 - Nov. 15. Backcountry Permits required for camping at Monogram Lake year-round. Look for tent pads and separate cooking areas. Do not camp on the lake shore.
Trailhead at 900'
Sourdough Camp at 5055'
Sourdough Lookout at 5968'
Hiker only
Sourdough Mountain trail and Sourdough camp is closed due to the 2023 Sourdough Fire
General: The ridgeline trail can be difficult to follow. Cairns mark the trail just east of the lookout. East of Pierce Mountain Camp the trail is somewhat difficult to follow due to brush and downed trees. After snowmelt, no water available on Pierce Mountain Trail except from pools at Pierce Mountain Camp which will dry up as the summer progresses. Carry plenty of water if ascending the trail from the junction with Big Beaver Trail.
Hard-sided food canister required at Sourdough and Pierce Mountain Camps June 1 - Nov. 15. Pets and hunting are not allowed past the National Park boundary (about 2 miles from trailhead).
Stetattle Creek trail is closed due to the 2023 Sourdough Fire
No recent report. Expect recently downed trees along the trail, high creek crossings and snow at higher elevations.
General: Several challenging trail sections in the first 1/4 mile where the creek has eroded the bank and trail (some scrambling and hand holds). Not recommended for beginners or families with small children.
Trailhead 3000', ridge above lake is 5000',
Thornton Lake 4500'
Hiker only
4/15 - Consistent snow starts around 4100'.
No Camping at Trappers Peak nor by any lakes. Camping only allowed at designated sites at Thornton Lake Camp.
General: The trail from the ridge to the lakeshore is steeper than most trails and can be very slippery when wet or icy. Crossing the lake outlet requires crossing a logjam, use caution. Not recommended for families with small children.
Food canisters requiredat Thornton Lakes Camp June 1 - Nov 15.
To access trailhead, park along SR 20 and not in Colonial Creek Campground. 10/23/24 - Temporary bridge has been removed for the season. Take care crossing the creek to access the trail.
Trail Name
Elevation and Trail Type
Reported Conditions
Bullion Loop Trail
Trailhead 1500'
Hiker, Stock
3/31- Bullion Loop trail cleared to High Bridge
Company Creek
Trailhead 1200', leaves park at 2500'
Hiker, stock
3/31-Company Creek trail cleared to USFS boundary sign
General: Must ford Company Creek at 5 mile. Trail is obscure south of Hilgard Pass and difficult to follow due to damage from 2015 Wolverine Fire.
Devore Creek
NPS boundary 2000'
Hiker only
4/13/25- Devore Creek trail cleared to USFS boundary sign
General: Trail south of Ten Mile Pass (to Hilgard Pass) is obscure and difficult to follow due to 2015 Wolverine Fire.
Lakeshore Trail
Elevation 1200'
Hiker, stock
3/19/25- Trail is open, down trees have been cleared. Trail is not accessible to stock due to Pioneer Fire damage. Be aware of hazard trees and debris flows in fire scarred areas.
General: High rattlesnake activity, particularly on sunny days. Ticks common in spring and early summer.This trail was burned over in 2010, so new blowdowns are common.
3/19/25-Bridge over Rainbow Creek is removed for repairs, there is no stock ford, hikers may use at your own risk.
General: Southern end of this trail passes through the 2010 Rainbow Bridge Fire zone. There may be new down trees between Lower Rainbow Loop TH and Rainbow Bridge camp. Trail from Bench Creek to Stehekin can be dry and dusty.
Stehekin River Trail
1200'
Hiker only
4/13/25- Stehekin River Trail has been cleared of down trees
General: In 2015, this trail was used as a fire break for the Wolverine Fire--expect to see many cut trees. Trail often floods during spring snowmelt and high-water events. Trail access is from south end of Stehekin airstrip.
