Park Butte
1 week ago
Trail is snow-covered at times
5 this month · 93 reports
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades
updated 1 month ago
The Damfino Lakes Trail to Excelsior Peak is currently in good condition with no snow. The fall foliage is a major highlight, with reports mentioning vibrant reds, oranges, and yellowing meadows as of October 4 and September 20. However, hikers should be aware of a significant grasshopper presence, particularly in the meadows, described as "grasshopper city" by one user on September 18 and noted as an annoyance or surreal sight by several others around late August and September. The road to the trailhead is generally rough, with potholes and a notable washout section, often recommended for high clearance vehicles or AWD, though some reports indicate sedans have made it through with caution. Parking at the trailhead can be competitive, especially on weekends, with overflow parking available on the road. Water crossings are minimal and small.
Generated from 46 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 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 to the trailhead is consistently described as rough, with numerous potholes and a significant washout section that requires careful navigation. While some reports suggest high clearance vehicles or AWD are recommended, others mention sedans have made it through by driving slowly, as of October 4 and September 18.
The trail itself is in good condition with no major obstacles reported. There are small stream crossings throughout the hike. The primary notable condition is an abundance of grasshoppers in the meadows, which can be overwhelming for some, as reported on September 18 and August 31.
Fall colors are currently vibrant, with reports describing popping foliage and red carpets of color as of October 4 and September 19. Wildflowers, though past their peak, were still noted as abundant in mid-August, with various species present.
The trailhead parking lot can fill up, especially on weekends, with overflow parking available on the road, as noted on September 20 and September 19. The trail itself is generally not described as overly crowded, though encounters with other hikers, backpackers, and hunters are common, particularly on nice weather days.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
Damfino Lakes TrailSmall stream crossings throughout, no big obstacles.Fall foliage was popping, especially in the meadow before the peak.Clear view of Mt Baker at the top!
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...
Older1 month ago
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...
Older1 month 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...
Older2 months 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...
Older2 months ago
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...
Older3 months 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...
Older3 months 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...
Older3 months 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...
Older3 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 ...