Heather - Maple Pass Loop
5 days ago
Early winter conditions with intermittent snow
23 this month · 179 reports
Diablo Lake
North Cascades
updated 4 months ago
Diablo Lake trail conditions are generally excellent as of early July 2026. The trail is snow-free and in good shape, with varied terrain including smooth sections and rocky areas. Hikers can expect nice views of mountain peaks and the lake. There are some spots with boulders and open areas offering panoramic vistas. Road access is suitable for all vehicles. One report from July 6 noted a juvenile black bear foraging on blueberries.
Generated from 15 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Diablo Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 4 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 4 months, so everything below is at least that old.
The trail is described as being in good condition with varied tread, including rocky sections, but no major obstacles like significant blowdown or washouts were mentioned. One report from June 30 noted a climb through some boulders to reach a lookout point.
One hiker noted a disappointment in the lack of flowers on June 30, suggesting that early summer heat and reduced snowpack may have impacted the bloom. Some wildflowers like twayblade, pipsissewa, white veined pyrola, white yarrow, and daisies were present, but not as abundant as in past years.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Trail is in good shape. Spotted a juvenile black bear enjoying the blueberries.
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We started our hike at 8:30 from the Diablo Lake TH.We were the only car there.Only saw a few hikers along the way.Met a couple who had taken the ferry down and doing a one way hike back to the Diablo...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
This is a great hike high above the cliffs of Diablo Lake (reservoir). There is lots of variation in terrain, thru the woods by the NCI, a climb thru some boulders to reach a lookout point under the p...
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Very chill and easy hike, couple friends went swimming at the end.Would be a very cool trail run with cold dip + picnic as a treat.
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Chill forest walk with some views of the lake and surrounding mountains about 2.5 miles in. Didn't do the final descent as I'd seen everything I wanted. Great views of Colonial and Pyramid Peaks, you'...
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Great two-night backpacking trip with our pup. We camped at Green Point the first night and Big Beaver the second. On day two, we hiked about two miles up the Big Beaver Trail and sawlotsof bear scat ...
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Hiking at Diablo Lake. The road to Vista Point is still closed, so among the available hikes, Thunder Knob was basically the only option for me. It takes about an hour one way and offers a great view ...
Older6 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We did a quick overnight to Big Beaver Camps, and day hiked up to 39 Mile.Diablo Lake trail is clear.25ish trees down from Ross Dam to Big Beaver camps.60ish trees down from Big Beaver camps to 39 Mil...
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
The hike is about 7 miles with about 1500 feet of climbing. The steep sections all have switchbacks, so a fairly moderate trail.TrailheadFree Parking! We did get camping permits from the ranger online...
Older14 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We arrived around 9 am Sunday of Labor Day weekend and there were lots of parking spots open when we arrived and when we left in the early afternoon. The road in is in great condition and easy with a ...