Castle Lake Snowpack

Castle Lake is still mostly frozen. The edges are melting out and in the heat of the day, pools of water are forming on the ice. If you travel onto the ice, proceed at your own risk.  The north face and NW shoulder of Left Peak still hold a skiable snow pack and one can skin from the parking lot. Right Peak is nearly melted out. Castle Peak (Middle Peak) still has plenty of snow for some decent turns. To access it, one will skin along the east side of the lake roughly along the Heart Lake Trail.  There are still some lingering cornices on the ridge above Heart Lake that could fail when they soften up in the sun. Hikers headed to Heart Lake can follow a trodden path in the snow. Boots are advised due to slick, icy surfaces in spots. Microspikes and trekking poles may also make travel easier.