Park Butte
1 week ago
Trail is snow-covered at times
5 this month · 93 reports
Excelsior Pass via Nooksack River
North Cascades
updated 1 week ago
The trail is in good condition with intermittent snow beginning around mile 3, reaching an estimated 18-24 inches on the sides of the trail by November 1. Spikes are recommended for the snowier sections above the treeline. The road is suitable for all vehicles. Grasshoppers were noted in late September and fall colors were just starting to emerge in early September.
Generated from 49 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Excelsior Pass via Nooksack River
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
As of November 1, there is intermittent snow starting around mile 3, with an estimated 18-24 inch pack on the sides of the trail above the treeline. Spikes are recommended for these sections.
The road is suitable for all vehicles, according to reports from November 1, September 19, and September 18.
Bugs were noted as an annoyance on September 19 and September 18, with grasshoppers being particularly prevalent. One report from September 5 also mentioned billions of grasshoppers at the top of the trail. However, a report from November 1 indicated no bugs.
Fall colors were just beginning to emerge on the trail as of September 5.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Started early with an aim to get a sunrise view of Baker; missed that goal but still had a great day. Snow starts to be consistent around mile 3 and glad I brought spikes especially once I got out of ...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
First and foremost, this trail is 4.5 miles ONE way and 3550 elevation gain to the pass. Grasshoppers were in full force at the meadow. Views, as expected, were spectacular once you hit the meadow at ...
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Arrived at about 7:45 am, 2 cars in the High Divide lot - Took the High Divide trail up to Excelsior Pass and nabbed the peak as well. Unsure on the mileage on the day as I did not go all the way to W...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
An amazing hike. Fall colors are just starting to come out. The only complaint is right when you get out of the trees at the top there are like billions of grasshoppers they jump everywhere and are re...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
It was a cloudy day so not much for mountain views, but I'm so glad it was cool because this was quite a climb! Even though the trail is shaded by the canopy I wouldn't want to make this climb on a wa...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
I forgot the pictures on the previous post
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Trail in very good condition and moderately busy on this misty day. The bugs were not bad, but there were tons of crickets in the meadow. The wildflowers are glorious right now! Water sources not grea...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Great trip up to Exselsoir Peak via the Damfino Lakes trailhead today. Fantastic views of all the mountains, Baker, Shuskan the main show, even into Canada and the Olympic mountains far to the north a...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Incredible hike up to the alpine terrain of the Cascades. Snow free up to the pass with about 10ft of snow before getting on to the High Divide trail to get to the peak. No spikes are required.Wildflo...
Older5 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Great day in the North Cascades, only one other car at 7:30. This trail is steep at the beginning, but the grade gets better past mile one and there're a lot of long switchbacks that break up the cli...