What is the trail like from the road to the lake?

The trail from the summer parking area to the lake is less obvious and often covered in snow, requiring navigation of recent snowshoe tracks on [January 24](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-01-24.202024963418). Reports from early 2026 indicate that much of the winter hike is on Deer Creek Road itself, which offers views of surrounding peaks and waterfalls. Be aware of melting snow bridges over smaller tributaries as of [March 22](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-29.151721879792).

What are the snow conditions and recommendations?

Snow was present on the road from about 1.5 miles up, with varying depths reported in early 2026. Snowshoes were recommended for deeper sections and the final approach to the lake, though compact snow allowed for microspike use on [January 24](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-01-24.202024963418). Melting snow was noted as a potential concern on [March 22](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-29.151721879792) and January 17.

What is the status of the trailhead parking?

The actual trailhead parking lot is described as unusable due to snow and ice, with parking along the road being the likely alternative. Reports from [January 24](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-01-24.202024963418) and [February 14](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-02-15.195113690195) suggest parking at pullouts further down Deer Creek Road, depending on snow accumulation.

Lake Kelcema Snowshoe

Q: What are the current road conditions for accessing Deer Creek Road?

As of [March 22](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-03-29.151721879792), the Mountain Loop Highway was clear, but Deer Creek Road had intermittent snow starting around 2 miles up, becoming fully snow-covered well before the end. A rough washout was noted at approximately 2 miles up Deer Creek Road, potentially problematic for sedans. Earlier reports from [February 14](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2026-02-15.195113690195) and January 23 also mention washouts and snow on Deer Creek Road.

North Cascades

updated 6 months ago

The current conditions for Lake Kelcema Snowshoe are primarily influenced by seasonal snowmelt, with reports from early 2026 indicating mixed conditions. While the Mountain Loop Highway itself was reported as cleared of snow, Deer Creek Road, which accesses the trailhead, had intermittent snow starting around 1.5 to 2 miles up. One report from March 22 noted that snow became more constant around 3 to 3.5 miles and fully covered the road before the summer trailhead. Snowshoes were recommended by some, though compact snow allowed microspikes to suffice for others on January 24. There were also mentions of melting snow bridges over tributaries on March 22, suggesting caution is needed. The actual trailhead parking lot was described as unusable due to snow and ice in January 23, with parking along the road being the norm.

Generated from 13 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

What hikers ask about Lake Kelcema Snowshoe

Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 6 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.

No trip reports on this trail in 6 months, so everything below is at least that old.

As of March 22, the Mountain Loop Highway was clear, but Deer Creek Road had intermittent snow starting around 2 miles up, becoming fully snow-covered well before the end. A rough washout was noted at approximately 2 miles up Deer Creek Road, potentially problematic for sedans. Earlier reports from February 14 and January 23 also mention washouts and snow on Deer Creek Road.