Ptarmigan Ridge
6 days ago
Wild blueberries are sweet and ample now
21 this month · 107 reports
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades
updated 5 days ago
The trail to Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes is in good condition with no snow. The road to the trailhead remains rough in sections, with a notable washout that may require careful navigation for lower-clearance vehicles, though many sedans have managed. However, some reports suggest it's suitable for all vehicles. The meadows are currently experiencing an abundance of grasshoppers, and while fall colors are vibrant, berry season is winding down. Bugs were an annoyance for some, but not for others. Parking can be challenging on weekends, with the lot often full by mid-morning.
Generated from 45 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road to the trailhead is generally rough with potholes and a significant washout section that requires slow driving and may be challenging for vehicles with low clearance. Some reports indicate it's passable for all vehicles, while others recommend high clearance.
The trail itself is reported to be in good condition with no major obstacles. Recent trail work has been noted in some sections.
Fall colors are described as incredible, with bushes starting to turn red and orange. However, the berry season is winding down, though some patches may still be found.
Reports on bugs are mixed. Some hikers have encountered a significant number of grasshoppers and found bugs to be an annoyance, while others have reported no bugs.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Stunning peak with one of the best views around and fairly low price to entry if you don't include the long drive. With a small SUV we didn't have a problem with the road but AWD might be helpful in o...
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
We arrived at the trailhead a little before 8:30am - parking lot was full with a little overflow down the road. We managed to get a spot because someone (backpacking or hunting I assume) had just left...
Recent1 week ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
my subaru crosstrek made it to the trailhead just fine, there are potholes here and there plus a washout that you need to go over slowly but i found it very manageable. i passed a few other groups, so...
Recent3 weeks ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Road/TrailheadThe road is in much better shape than I expected. The paved section is fine, any car can make it, a few bumps and potholes but nothing big. There is one steep section where I was happy t...
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Excelsior Peak is a very pretty hike near the Mount Baker Highway containing lots of views, especially at the end when you're on the top of Excelsior Peak. There are two ways to get there, one of them...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
In the bygone days, this would have been an easy, enjoyable hike, maybe a warmup for more challenging walks. But now maybe, just maybe, dealing with arthritis and aging in general, I could still do wi...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
We did this as a one-night weekend backpacking trip with my wife, our 7-year-old daughter, and our dog, and it ended up being an incredible trip.The road to the trailhead was mostly fine, but there we...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
I'm posting in hopes that at least one person in a group of young backpackers I saw up there reads this and takes the initiative to learn more about Leave No Trace practices and passes it on to her hi...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Hike done on Friday July 24THE ROAD: this road is probably about 12 miles long and fairly rough There is a washout at mile 9 but you’re able to drive through it if you go slow.TRAILHEAD: there’s room ...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Bugs (horse flies, black flies and mosquitoes) present, but worse in the shade at the top. Although nothing that a little Deep Woods Off couldn't handle.