Mount Pilchuck
3 days ago
Intermittent snow and ice
12 this month · 164 reports
Kelcema Lake
North Cascades
updated 1 month ago
The road to Kelcema Lake is best suited for high-clearance vehicles, with reports detailing significant potholes and eroded sections, particularly between the hairpin turn and the parking lot, which is narrow and brushed in. Despite the challenging road conditions, the trail itself is reported to be short, sweet, and clear of obstacles as of September 20. Hikers can expect to enjoy the fall colors and the beautiful lake ecosystem, with no bugs reported as of September 20. Parking appears to be limited, with only a few cars noted in the lot on a Saturday afternoon in mid-September.
Generated from 17 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Kelcema Lake
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 Kelcema Lake is reported to be challenging and recommended for high-clearance vehicles. There are significant potholes and eroded sections, with some areas being narrow and brushed in, making passing difficult as of September 20. One report from September 12 described the road as heart-wrenching for a lower-clearance vehicle due to massive potholes and a washout area.
No, the trail to Kelcema Lake is described as short, sweet, and clear of obstacles as of September 20. Hikers have enjoyed the easy trail, with no mention of any significant blowdown or difficult terrain.
Parking at Kelcema Lake appears to be limited. One report from September 20 noted three cars in the lot upon arrival, while another from September 12 observed only one small group at the lake and one family leaving. It is advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends.
No bugs have been reported around Kelcema Lake. Both reports from September 12 and September 20 specifically mentioned 'No bugs'.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Made the beautiful drive out to Kelcema Lake with my friend and all three of our kiddos. We were surrounded by the colors of fall under a clear blue sky!ROAD: Deer Creek is clear to the washout. Wi...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
The road to Kelcema Lake in an AWD lower clearance Subaru Forester was heart wrenching. There is a washout area where we almost got stuck coming and going. There are repeated rows of massive potholes ...
Older6 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
I had a free Friday and decided to see if the tacoma could still make the road the Kelcema lake. I will say we made it, but just barely. There is a nasty dip in the road from a washout that the truck ...
Older6 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
You can make it up the access road ALMOST but not quite to the trailhead, so park on pull offs and hike the rest of the way to the trailhead. A brave low clearance sedan owner MIGHT be able to make it...
Older7 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Semi last minute trip to get out in the snow on a sunny early spring day. It was a great choice! The snow was a bit icy and at first it felt like our snowshoes were mayyyybe a bit overkill, but as the...
Older8 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Exhausting is the one word that best captures this trek through miles of deep, powdered snow. Carol had been eyeing this outing for a brief break in the weather, so we headed up the Mountain Loop High...
Older9 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Our party of two hikers and one dog made it to Kelcema Lake on a chilly but beautiful Friday. We saw no other humans the entire trip. A broken mudflap seen on our hike down (but not up) suggests that ...
Older9 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Parked at the large lot off the highway. Snow begins on the road at around 1.8 miles, with some rough road/small washout that will be exposed if snow continues to melt at around 2 miles from the highw...
Older11 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
The washout 2 miles from the trailhead has gotten bad enough that I didn't even attempt it in my Outback Wilderness. Potholes are huge, and there is fresh gravel that you just immediately sink down in...
Older12 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
The drive up is a little sketchy as there’s some loose gravel and pretty big potholes. If you care about the condition of your car definitely recommend a truck with some decent clearance. The trail it...