Ptarmigan Ridge
6 days ago
Wild blueberries are sweet and ample now
21 this month · 107 reports
Anderson and Watson Lakes
North Cascades
updated 3 months ago
The NF-1107 road to Anderson and Watson Lakes is impassable due to a significant washout at Anderson Creek, approximately 4 miles in. This obstacle is described as a sketchy and unstable dirt climb of about 15 feet on the far side of the creek, requiring ropes or ice axes for passage as of June 17. Even after crossing, it's an additional 5.5 miles of road walking to reach the official trailhead. Earlier reports from April 25 also noted the washout as impassable for solo hikers. In November 2025, the road was accessible by any car until encountering snow and ice, and the forest road was described as steep, rutty, and potholed with slick snow near the trailhead in early November.
Generated from 23 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Anderson and Watson Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 3 months, so everything below is at least that old.
The NF-1107 road is washed out around mile 4 due to Anderson Creek, making it impassable for vehicles as of June 17. This washout requires a difficult and potentially dangerous creek crossing involving a steep, unstable dirt climb.
After crossing the washout, it is an additional 5.5 miles of road walking with 2000 feet of elevation gain to reach the official Anderson and Watson Lakes trailhead, as reported on June 17.
The most recent report mentioning snow on the access road is from November 30, 2025, stating the road was accessible until encountering snow and ice. Another report from November 8, 2025 noted snow near the trailhead and a frozen Anderson Lake.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
NF -1107 road up to Anderson and Watson Lakes trailhead is washed out around mile 4.After seeing previous trip reports, our group decided to still use this road as a starting point for a 5-day backcou...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
I was hopeful pup and I could maybe hike around it. Nope. Gosh no. Sketchy. Maybe without dog I’d be braver.
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Haven’t seen a post on this in a while, so wanted to give an update…Went to try an overnight at the lakes. The road is completely washed out by Anderson Creek, about 4 miles in. I looked for a way to ...
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
The road to the Baker Lake trailhead has received maintenance and is doable in any car at this time!!(Reason for posting this report)We drove up the Anderson/Watson road until encountering snow/ice, t...
Older10 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Loved this on a sunny Saturday after a fresh snow! The snow was easy to hike in about 4 inches deep, powdery, from the start, and had spikes and poles but did not use going up, only down. No one else...
Older10 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Road is clear and without snow to trailhead.Snow starts at the first meadow and is about 4-6 in deep. Trail is mostly evident through to the lake.Great views of Baker and Shuksan on the drive in.
Older23 months ago
North Cascades
Beautiful winter hike. Road is very rough in places but entirely snow free. Parking lot was nearly empty when we arrived at 9:30 am on this Tuesday. Sani-can open and somewhat stocked (the rodents hav...
Older23 months ago
North Cascades
Headed to Anderson/Watson Lakes trail on cold but sunny day. By the time I reached the trailhead it was 39 degrees. It took 40 minutes to get to the trailhead from the Mt. Baker Dam bridge. The roa...
Older24 months ago
North Cascades
My 7yr old son and I had a fun backpacking experience to the upper Anderson Lakes.We camped at the further-up of the two upper Anderson Lakes. We arrived at the trailhead around 3:30pm (Saturday). The...
Older24 months ago
North Cascades
The lakes are not the most spectacular but very pretty. I did Anderson Butte on the way back and the climb was pretty steep especially for that late in the hike, but the view was very much worth the s...