Mount Pilchuck
3 days ago
Intermittent snow and ice
12 this month · 164 reports
Ashland Lakes
North Cascades
updated 1 week ago
The Ashland Lakes trail currently features numerous boardwalk sections, many of which are becoming slushy and unstable, particularly around November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026. Some planks are reported as underwater or slick, requiring cautious navigation. The road to the trailhead is rough, with significant potholes, especially in the last half-mile before the turn-off, making high-clearance vehicles recommended by November 1, 2026. Despite these obstacles, the lakes themselves are accessible and beautiful, with the privy now open as of November 3, 2026.
Generated from 35 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Ashland Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road is rough and contains significant potholes, particularly in the last half-mile before the turn-off. One report from November 1, 2026 suggests it is only suitable for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles beyond a certain point, while others from November 3, 2026 and November 3, 2026 state it is rough but passable for Subarus and sedans, respectively. A large pothole just before the trailhead is also noted in November 3, 2026.
The main trail obstacles involve numerous boardwalk sections. As of November 3, 2026 and November 3, 2026, these boardwalks are slushy and can be slick or tipsy. In November 1, 2026, some boardwalks around Beaver Plant Lake were partially submerged due to rising lake levels, and snow and ice covered them. A report from September 9, 2026 highlighted loose and rocking boards, one of which caused a fall.
There is very little snow on the trail as of November 3, 2026, with what is present on boardwalks having turned to small slushy patches. However, in November 1, 2026, snowfields were present and could be difficult to cross, with compact snow and ice covering boardwalks near Beaver Plant Lake.
Parking does not appear to be a significant issue for Ashland Lakes, especially when compared to nearby popular trailheads like Lake 22. As of September 6, 2026, traffic on the access roads was minimal, and the trailhead parking was open. One hiker chose to park before a rough road section on September 6, 2026, adding about 1km each way to their hike.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Today the 2 hiking grandmas were guests on a Happy Hikers group hike. There were 20+ hikers, a bit too many for me, but everyone split into groups according to hiking speed, yeah guess where this old ...
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Not a lot to add to prior reports. We had a mid morning start on this hike with temperature in the mid 40s to low 50s so not as much ice on the boardwalks as there would have been if it was colder. ...
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
First a note on the road, the forest roads are a bit rough in spots but suitable for all vehicles until about .25 mile before the turn off for Ashland lakes. At that point there are two large pothole ...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
The trail's boardwalk sections in need of maintenance. Many of the boards are loose. Some of the boards rock from side-to-side when you walk on them, and some boards pitch up-and-down like a teeter ...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
I beg to differ with the official WTA description: this may be"a pleasant weekday hike"- butit is a simply awesome choice for aweekendhike!En route we passed by the Lake 22 trailhead, packed with a lo...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
This trail is not getting much lovin' from trip reports lately. It's not a swimming lake, it's marshy, the trail is rocky and there are no views. All the better for crowd control, we saw no one else t...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Looking for a new hike that was shady and not too challenging for a HOT day out. While this hike fit the bill it won't be one I revisit. Ashland lakes are not for soaking feet or swimming - edges of l...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Lots of blueberries. Beaver lake was beautiful with the green grasses surrounding it. Ashland lakes were ok but not swimmable. They were surrounded by mud. There are a few water sources for dogs. Most...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Beautiful hike, short, lots of old growth, moss and mushrooms. Most of the trail is walking over wood planks and some are flooded near the end of the hike. Some campsites are also flooded near the low...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
What a great hike! Gorgeous lakes, a fun trail, and bugs weren't too bad. Only two or three other cars at the TH on a lovely Sunday afternoon, and barely saw anyone on the trail. The hike is mostly in...