Icicle Ridge
1 week ago
Fall colors turning to gold and amber
5 this month · 51 reports
Chain and Doelle Lakes
Central Cascades
updated 1 month ago
Chain and Doelle Lakes area trails are generally in good condition, with no significant snow reported as of September 18. The trails experienced minimal blowdowns as of September 18, though some sections, particularly the trail from Frosty Pass to Doelle Lakes, can be steeper and rougher than expected. Hikers should be aware of a significant rockfall covering the trail near Lake Susan Jane that requires careful navigation. While bugs were reported as a significant annoyance in mid-July, recent reports from September 18 and September 9 indicate no bug issues. Road access to the Chatter Creek trailhead is suitable for all vehicles, but the road to the Chain Lakes area (FS 6960) has been recommended for high clearance only due to washouts and rough conditions.
Generated from 16 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Chain and Doelle Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The road (FS 6960) to the Chain Lakes area has been reported as rough and recommended for high clearance vehicles only, with a washout requiring technical driving skills as of July 17. In contrast, the Chatter Creek trailhead is suitable for all vehicles as of September 18.
A notable obstacle is a large rockfall on the PCT between Lake Susan Jane and Josephine Lake, which requires careful maneuvering as of September 9. Multiple blowdowns are present throughout the trails, though most are easy to navigate.
Reports from mid-July indicated intermittent snow that was not hard to cross, but by September 18, the trails were reported as snow-free.
Bugs were described as terrible in mid-July and an annoyance in early July, but recent reports from September 18 and September 9 indicate no bug issues. Bear hunting season was underway in mid-September, and a juvenile bear was spotted in early July.
More in Central Cascades
The Enchantments
2 weeks ago
Asgard Pass is difficult, with deep snow
4 this month · 95 reports
Colchuck Lake
5 days ago
Snowfields to cross, lake basin challenging
3 this month · 109 reports
Cashmere Canyons Preserve
3 weeks ago
Golden hills ablaze in fall color
2 this month · 51 reports
Lake Edna
3 weeks ago
Catching the tail end of fall colors
2 this month · 13 reports
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
1 week ago
Blowdown on upper loop, graffiti on bridge
1 this month · 36 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
This quote from my old Spring & Manning guidebook sums it up well: "This is the place for dreamlike wanderings along tundra ridges and through lake basins and around corners to magic surprises. But th...
Older2 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
2 night/ 3 day backpacking trip to Chain Lakes starting & ending at Stevens Pass.Total Gaia stats: 24 miles, 6300' vertDay 1: Start on the PCT at Stevens Pass ski area. Huge parking area and a bathroo...
Older3 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
TL;DR: after an offensively steep hike up, just as you round the corner and see the glorious meadows and Chain Lakes and surrounding peaks: BUGS. SO MANY BUGS. Like the infamous honey badger, the mosq...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
We left the parking lot at 11:30. The climb up Stevens was fine, a bit of a preview of what was to come. Between Lake Susan Jane and Josephine Lake there is a rockslide over the trail, maybe 30 feet l...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
OverviewWhat an epic loop! The views on icicle ridge are some of the most dynamic I've seen in Washington. Trailhead is very accessible, but west of Lake Edna there were some profound moments of solit...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
These lakes required some downed tree gymnastics and there was a fiendish hill beforehand. Once at them the views were lovely, especially at the col, but mosquitoes were an issue; a thermacell or simi...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
We hiked up to Chain Lakes to set up camp and hang out for the long weekend. We also explored to Doelle Lakes and contemplated a hike over to Frosty Pass, but ultimately turned arounf. Some details th...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Did an overnight to Chain Lakes on a cloudy and wet day starting wednesday.Trail is in mostly good conditions with a few mostly minor blowdowns throughout. All were easy to navigate.There is a decent ...
Older4 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Three friends and I did a one night backpacking trip up to Chain Lakes. We started hiking at 9:30 on Tuesday morning, and after cresting the first ridge at ~2 miles, a hiker informed us that the trail...
Older14 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
As a middle-aged trail runner who doesn’t mind a bit of effort, this trail was spectacular. I found it more “runnable” and less brushy than I expected. I could at least shuffle almost the whole time, ...