Glacier Peak, located in the North Cascades of Washington State is the name sake for the 500,000 acre Glacier Peak Wilderness.
Thee images are from the Liberty Cap spur trail, near Buck Creek Pass.
Just back from Glacier Peak Wilderness, traveled in and out via Spider Meadows.
My brain goes into sensory overload when I see all those colors! I love it!
I have seen more flowers, and denser stands of flowers elsewhere, but never such a varied array at once.
Purple, yellow, white, red and green, it was awesome!
Trying to capture the scene is not easy! I just started, took a few steps and kept shooting, each viewpoint offering a different scene.
Last August I hiked the Spider Meadow – Buck Creek Pass Loop.
Spider Meadows, Glacier Peak Wilderness
What a glorious hike!
We started at Spider Meadows,
And ended the trip at Buck Creek Pass.
Glacier Peak
We arrived at the Pass early in the day and waited for the sun to cool off a bit before we ascended the slopes of Liberty Cap and scouted for a place to camp with a view of Glacier Peak. This image is from that night.
The next morning before sunrise we made our way south along the ridge line, heading for High Pass.
The views of Glacier Peak were magnificent. sumptuous wildflowers and greener than green meadows invited us to relax and breathe in the air.
The Glacier Peak Wilderness, located in the North Cascades of Washington State, is one of the lower 48’s most remote wilderness areas.
Glacier Peak with Tent and Stars
Glacier Peak in the Morning Light
This summer I completed the Spider Meadows, Buck Creek pass Loop in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The hike was simply astounding.
The hike took us through Spider Meadows, then up through the narrow defile of Spider Gap and down into the stark basin of Upper Lyman Lake.
Spider Meadows, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Spider Meadows, Glacier Peak Wilderness
As we ascended the pass the clouds and darkness moved in. After a snack at the crest we descended the glacier, sliding on our butts, in the rain.
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
I protested the weather and purposefully lollygagged on the way down, hoping for sun…
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
The views were dramatic, Upper Lyman Lake green and white lay at our feet with Cloudy Peak in the distance.
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Upper Lyman Lake, Glacier Peak Wilderness
Always looking for new adventures in the North Cascades I had heard for years about this loop. Its about 40 miles and covers some very striking terrain. The Glacier Peak Wilderness in in the North Cascades of Washington State, nestled between Highway 2 (Stevens Pass Highway) and Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) its one of the most rugged parts of the state. We did the loop in 6 days and here are a few pictures!
Start of the trail
Spider Meadows
Spider Meadows
Spider Meadows
Spider Meadows
Spider Meadows
The next days hike took us up steep switchbacks above the valley, to the narrow defile of Spider Gap.
Spider Meadow from above
Lawrence on the trail to Spider Gap
And then onto, up and over Spider Glacier. As we gained elevation the clouds got thicker. And when we reached the top the rain and hail started.
Ascending Spider Glacier
At the top of Spider Gap
We donned rain gear and slid down the glacier on the other side, towards Upper Lyman Lake.
In the rain
The sky was very dark and as we made our way down through the rain we encountered another hiker, who passed us by, on the same loop as us. Our paths would cross several times on our hike. His name was Steve and he had hiked more trails and miles in the North Cascades than anyone I had ever met.
The stark beauty of the valley captivated me and we dallied, wishing for clearing skies…
Clearing skies
Soon our wishes were answered and the sun came out to greet us. The rocks and gray-green water of the lake were like a magnet for me.
Upper Lyman Lake
Upper Lyman Lake
Reluctantly we left and trekked down through some wonderful grasslands towards Lyman Lake.
Looking back at Spider Gap, the low saddle on the left
Reflections in Upper Lyman Basin
On the way we passed a perfect spot to camp, and so stopped to lolly-gag in the sun while we got our wet gear dry. We had perfect views of Lower Lyman Lake and Cloudy and Bonanza Peaks.
Lower Lyman Lake
Drying out in the sun
Lower Lyman and Bonanza Peak
The next day took us down into the forest and back up to Cloudy Pass. We could look back and see where we had crossed through Spider Gap.
Upper Lyman Basin from Cloudy Pass. The sun halo was…real!
Looking north from Suiattle Pass, down Agnes Gorge
Our trail took us over Suiattle Pass and along Miners Ridge and then down to a river crossing. Here our path was along the Pacific Crest Trail and we must have met more than a dozen thru-hikers, all hurrying along to complete their 2,400 mile quest.
Buck Creek Pass was another highpoint of the trip. From here a trail climbs and rounds Liberty Cap as it heads towards High Pass.
Glacier Peak: evening light
Glacier peak: Morning Light
We camped here, with magnificent views of Glacier Peak.
Glacier Peak
The stars at night was alive.
Glacier Peak, Milky Way
Glacier Peak, Milky Way
Early the next morning we made our way along a wonderful ridge to High Pass. Here we could get a glimpse of the barren rocks and snow around Triad Lake.
Steve at High Pass
Triad Lake
Glacier Peak, wildflowers
Glacier Peak, wildflowers
All in all one the most satisfying loop treks I have done in Washington!
Glacier Peak Wilderness
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 