Lake Valhalla
yesterday
Fall colors are vibrant, roads are rough
15 this month · 96 reports
Josephine Lake
Central Cascades
updated 5 days ago
Josephine Lake is currently experiencing vibrant fall colors, particularly in the meadows near the ski area, with reports of reds, oranges, and yellows dominating the landscape as of September 20th. The trail itself is generally in good condition, with no snow reported by the latest accounts from September 19th. While the main PCT route is clear, some obstacles have been noted in earlier reports, including a rock slide above Lake Susan Jane (last described on July 19th as crossable with caution) and several downed trees on the Icicle Creek trail. Road access to the Stevens Pass ski area, a common starting point, is suitable for all vehicles, with plenty of parking available as of September 6th.
Generated from 23 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Josephine Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The rock slide above Lake Susan Jane was described as crossable with caution on July 19th, 2026. One hiker noted that it was less than 50 feet in length and that careful steps were needed, using rocks for support. The same hiker found it slightly easier going up than coming back down.
As of July 19th, 2026, there were several trees crossing the Icicle Creek trail that heads to Lake Josephine. One hiker found going over one tree easier than going under it. No more recent reports have specifically mentioned the condition of downed trees on this particular trail.
Fall colors are reportedly ablaze, with reds, oranges, and yellows noted near the ski area as of September 20th, 2026. The report from September 12th also highlighted beautiful fall colors, specifically yellows, reds, and oranges, through the ski area.
Parking at the Stevens Pass ski area (Lot E) was plentiful around 11 am on a Sunday, September 6th, 2026. Another report from September 20th noted that ski area lots were 'jam packed full' with cars and campers starting at 11:30 am, potentially due to a mountain biking event.
More in Central Cascades
Mount McCausland
3 days ago
Fall colors are intense in avalanche ravines
3 this month · 39 reports
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass
1 week ago
High country meadows with ripe berries
2 this month · 17 reports
Merritt Lake and Lost Lake
2 weeks ago
Trees down across trail, rough road
2 this month · 11 reports
Cady Ridge
6 days ago
Fall colors are amazing, berries are ripe
2 this month · 10 reports
Tumwater Pipeline Trail
1 week ago
Fall colors were abundant on slopes
1 this month · 22 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh5 days ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
After a false start/camera mishap on the Lake Vahalla trail, we pivoted to taking the pedestrian bridge across to the meadow in the ski area. The ski area lots were jam packed full of cars and campers...
Fresh6 days ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
We started at the Tunnel Creek trailhead and ended at Stevens Pass. Perfect Fall conditions. The trail is in great shape. Total distance is 12 miles but it feels shorter. Highly recommended!
Recent1 week ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
The elevation gain listed for this hike is a bit deceiving - there are several significant ups and downs throughout so my Garmin tracked the elevation gain at 2800 ft.The fall color was beautiful thro...
Recent2 weeks ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Arrived at the PCT South trailhead at the Steven's Pass ski area (Lot E) around 11am on a beautiful, sunny Sunday. There were plenty of open spots in the large parking lot. The air quality was excel...
Older1 month ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Everything about this hike is absolutely gorgeous except for the 1000 foot descent at the end. Just not the most fun, haha.The rock slide after Susan Lane is... sketchy. I am moderately athletic and h...
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
Through-hike the Alpine Lakes and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, from Tucquala Meadows to Stevens Pass North. Planned as a 4-day trip but turned into 5 once we got a jump start the first evening; about ...
Older2 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
I hiked to Lake Josephine for the first time. I had read of a rockslide that could be difficult to cross, above Lake Susan Jane, so I was not sure I could get to Lake Josephine.This is my view of that...
Older2 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Just an update from the last trip report that the snow is mostly melted, no need for microspikes.We did the car shuttle by leaving a second car at the Tunnel Creek trailhead. It was nice being able to...
Older3 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
Route ConditionsRoughly between the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary (after the powerlines) and the turn on to the Icicle Creek Trail (descending to Lake Josephine) there were maybe 8 sections of trai...
Older3 months ago
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
This is a nice hike up from Stevens Pass.It can be a bit technical at times, but the mileage in the elevation gain is not too bad.There was still a significant amount of snow on the trail that was tri...