Glacier Peak Wilderness
Glacier Peak Wilderness holds the Northern Cascades only wilderness volcano. And in this year when we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, it was a perfect time to go into the remote wilderness area and explore. No we didn't climb it, but we did spend 5 days at the end of July backpacking through the majestic beauty that surrounds it.
With the late snow that came in this year and the heat that came with the end of July, we were in for a treat.
Day 1 - Trinity Trailhead
We started the day in Spokane, WA and drove to the Trinity Trailhead. After parking the car here, we had a 3 mile hike up to the Spider Meadow trailhead. I was thankful once those three miles were over and we were able to head into the woods and shade. The goal was to hike to Spider Meadow, but after another couple of miles, the heat and lack of sleep took its toll on us. We found a camp spot in the woods and decided to call it a day. As we finished dinner and settled in - we had our first of many experiences with the wildlife in the wilderness. A female mule deer wandered into camp. She must have enjoyed our presence as she kept coming back.
Day 2 - Spider Meadow, Spider Gap & Upper Lyman Lakes
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| Spider Meadow looking toward Spider Gap |
Waking up to a beautiful morning in the wilderness refreshed, we packed our gear and headed to Spider Meadow and Spider Gap. Spider Meadow still held some of its beauty of wildflowers and gave us an amazing view toward Spider Gap and the peaks around it. We also got our first view of the many marmots we would encounter in the wilderness and more mule deer grazing in the meadow.
After hiking through the meadow we climbed the trail up to Spider Gap and finally got a view of the Spider Glacier. All reports for this trip stated to bring an ice ax with you to climb over the glacier. But with the heat we had on this trip, the conditions of the glacier made it so that you didn't need it. It was an amazing 1/2 mile hike up the glacier to the top and the high point of this trip (7100 ft). The coolness of the snow and ice of the glacier made it so the heat that was bearing down on us didn't feel so bad.
Tip: Take time once you get to the top for a break and the opportunities to take some great photos of the glacier and the Upper Lyman Lakes area.
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| Spider Glacier with a view back out toward Spider Meadow |
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| Upper Lyman Lakes from Spider Gap |
After taking a break and enjoying the views it was time to head down to the Upper Lyman Lakes area. The hike down was fun through the soft snow until we hit the end of the snow. At that point it turns into a scramble down loose rock. And then you find the mosquitoes. After another break to take some pictures of the Upper Lyman Lakes area we headed over to the other side of the bogs and where we would camp for the evening.
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| Lyman Glacier from Upper Lyman Lake |
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| View back toward Upper Lyman Lakes, bogs and Spider Gap |
After setting up camp, we had time to wander around the area and take in the reflections in the pools of water that were all over in this area. But with that said, we also had the pleasure of battling the mosquitoes - head nets were a necessity.
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| Camp in the Upper Lyman Lakes area. |
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| Sun setting above Spider Gap |
Evening brought us the beauty of the sun setting in the wilderness. And with the clouds in the sky, it was even more beautiful.
Day 3 - Upper Lyman Lakes to Miners Creek / Image Lake
Waking up to another glorious morning in the wilderness (even with the mosquitoes buzzing around), we ate breakfast and headed out to our next destination: Miners Creek to camp and a side day trip to Image Lake. Our first obstacle of the day (besides the mosquitoes) came as we got down toward Lyman Lake and had to cross the river via a downed tree. Now crossing a river over a downed tree is not that bad, but this one happened to be right over a rapid and falls. If you slipped on the log it was a not a short fall or would it be a soft landing - you would probably get hurt.
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| Lyman Falls |
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| Lyman Falls crossing |
After a quick stop to take pictures of Lyman Lake we headed up to Cloudy Pass and our connection with the Pacific Crest Trail. Make sure to take some time once you get up on Cloudy Pass to enjoy your last view of Lyman Lake and Spider Gap. And to take in the view of all the wildflowers in the meadow up on the pass.
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| Cloudy Pass looking back at Lyman Lake and Spider Gap |
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| Cloudy Pass wildflowers - Lupine, Heather and Paintbrush |
Once over Cloudy Pass, it is a short 1 mile hike to the Suiattle Pass and then down to Miners Creek. At Miners Creek we diverge from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and set up camp across from an older Miner's Cabin.
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| Miners Cabin @ Miners Creek - Image Lake Trail |
From here we take a 7 mile side trip to Image Lake. This is not to be missed. On this side trip we encountered our next adventure with a water crossing, meadows full of wildflowers and our first good views of Glacier Peak. And of course Image Lake.
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| Paintbrush and wildflowers in the meadows on the trail to Image Lake |
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| Image Lake with Glacier Peak in the background. |
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| Marmots all over the place, this one was hiding out along the trail. |
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| Falls and crossing area at about noon. |
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| Falls and crossing area at 5 pm |
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| Water crossing area at 5 pm. At noon we had rocks to cross, not at 5 pm. |
Day 3 was a lot of hiking, but the side trip to Image Lake was well worth it.
Day 4 - Miners Creek to Buck Creek Pass
Today we had more friendly visitors to camp while we were eating breakfast. We had seen him the evening before but today he came back with his lady friend.
It also felt like the hottest day so far on our trip. We headed down from Miners Creek and out toward Buck Creek Pass. As we headed up to the first pass and took a break, we found a side trail that we explored before heading on the rest of the way to Buck Creek Pass. The side trip was well worth it. It took us to another meadow full of wildflowers.
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| Side trip to another meadow of wildflowers and great views of the mountains around us. |
After heading back to the trail, we continued on toward Buck Creek Pass and where we would spend the night. We stayed up on top of the pass where we could have nice views of Glacier Peak and the surrounding area. And of course more wildlife.
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| Mule deer shaking off the bugs. |
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| Glacier Peak from Buck Creek Pass @ the start of sunset. |
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| Sunset from Buck Pass looking toward the Pacific Ocean |
What a great way to end the day and for our last night in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It was hard to believe the next day we'd wake up, pack up and head out.
Day 5: Buck Creek Pass to Trinity Trailhead
Day 5, it came so fast. After waking up early to watch the sun rise on Glacier Peak it was time to pack up and head out of this beautiful wilderness area.
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| Sunrise on Glacier Peak from Buck Creek Pass |
It was 9.6 miles from camp to the car, but it was a beautiful hike down through the forest and valleys. As we hit Buck Creek and followed the trail toward the car, we passed a number of avalanche areas which are just amazing to see. For all the beauty nature offers us, it can also be very destructive.
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| Glacier Peak Wilderness - Buck Creek trail and route out |
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| Glacier Peak Wilderness - Avalanche area along Buck Creek |
As this trip came to a close, I got the same feeling I get every time I go out on a trip like this. I always feel like I'm losing a part of myself when I head out of the wilderness. Not because I'm leaving it in the wilderness, but because I can't take the wilderness with me. In the wilderness I feel whole, at one with nature. It's always a different challenge which is something I crave and enjoy.
Good thing is after this trip, I headed over to Mt Baker and did another backpacking trip. It was a relief to know I could head right back into the wilderness.
Trip stats:
Dates: July 26 - 30, 2014
Elevation gain: 11,082 ft
Elevation loss: 10,999 ft
Distance: ~48 miles
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn." John Muir
More information on Glacier Peak Wilderness.
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