Mount Pilchuck
3 days ago
Intermittent snow and ice
12 this month · 164 reports
Bear Lake
North Cascades
updated 2 months ago
The trail to Bear Lake presents several challenges, with blowdowns and muddy sections being frequently reported. As of September 7, the trail was described as having countless blowdowns and plenty of muddy sections. Earlier reports from July 7 also noted numerous blowdowns, root ladders, and deep mud. The road accessing the trailhead is consistently described as rough and recommended for high-clearance vehicles only, with one report from June 29 indicating impassable conditions about a mile before the trailhead for a standard vehicle. Despite these obstacles, the trail is generally snow-free.
Generated from 12 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Bear Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 2 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 2 months, so everything below is at least that old.
The road to the trailhead is consistently described as rough and is recommended for high-clearance vehicles only. As of September 7, it had nonstop potholes and ruts, though a Subaru Forester managed without real challenges. Earlier, on July 7, the last 2 miles were noted as very rough with deep potholes. One report from June 29 mentioned impassable conditions about a mile before the trailhead for a regular car.
The trail is frequently impacted by blowdowns, with numerous trees down across the path reported in September 7 and July 7. Additionally, muddy or wet sections are common, with one report from September 7 mentioning plenty of muddy sections and another from July 7 noting deep sections of mud. Some reports also mention rooty and rocky terrain making for high steps.
No, based on all available reports, the trail is snow-free. Reports from September 7, August 22, July 7, and June 29 all indicate that the trail is clear of snow.
The parking lot is quite small, with one report from September 7 estimating it can handle about a dozen cars total. On Labor Day morning, there were only six cars at the trailhead at 9 AM, suggesting capacity is generally not an issue due to the challenging road access.
More in North Cascades
Mount Dickerman
1 week ago
Packed snow above mile 2.5, gear recommended
6 this month · 104 reports
Vesper Peak
1 week ago
Snow-covered at times, snow likely deep
6 this month · 68 reports
Lake 22
1 week ago
Intermittent snow on trail and boardwalk
5 this month · 197 reports
Monte Cristo Ghost Town
1 week ago
Fall colors visible on surrounding peaks
5 this month · 41 reports
Gothic Basin
1 week ago
Snow is arriving in the basin
4 this month · 104 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Summary.Great hike, if you’re willing to look past the nasty forest road & nasty trail conditions.The morning was foggy & misty, with plenty of muddy sections getting my feet wet.Beyond the rooty & ro...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Rock in spots a few high steps but over all in good shape.
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
If you're looking for a nice little 2 miler to a pretty lake, best to turn off at 22. This one is a challenging hike at the end of a bad road. It reminded us of the trails of yore, rocky, root ladders...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Today we went to Bear and Pinnacle Lakes.My first time back since around the year2000.We arrivedaround 8 and there was one other vehicle in the lot.Last 2 miles of the forest road is pretty rough with...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Had to stop about a mile before the trailhead because the road was in really rough conditions that the car could not get through. I would recommend others to do the same unless you have a car for off ...
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
First, very little snow, probably gone not long after the day. Second, the last 1.3 miles on 4021 is BRUTAL. Yet somehow, someone got a Tesla out there. 4020 is beautifully rebuilt and was largely fre...
Older10 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
ROAD 4020/4021: Parked below snowline on road, just before 4021 branches off. Road beyond that has some bare spots but is increasingly covered in packed, icy snow. The potholes underneath can throw yo...
Older11 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
wet but great condition
Older13 months ago
South Cascades > Mount Adams Area
Did a slightly different trail than the one described here. Followed the Alltrails app trail named "Blue Lake, Elk Lake, and Deep Lake Loop" for 14.5 mi. Just copying the trip report for that here sin...
Older14 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Did a Tuesday afternoon hike to Boardman Lake, the road was super nice now, freshly graded with maybe one tiny pothole to be found. Note that the road does a sharp turn to the right just before the tr...