With several friends, I hiked the Little Wenatchee River trail to the PCT and camped just south of Kodak Pk. Bugs were not a problem. We suffered a few bites but nothing to complain about ... bug juice was not required. The lower part of the trail (below the climb to Meander Meadow) was mostly clear except for two or three large trees ... which were not tough to negotiate. There is some avalanche debris over the trail as it leaves the woods to enter the final lower level meadow. It is best to avoid the debris because it covers a weak snow-bridge over a creek. One member of our party found the weak spot ... much to his surprise.

The old trail through Meander Meadow is still almost completely covered with snow. We took the new trail on the south-facing slope which is snow-free. Note that this trail is not in a finished state. There are some sections which require care. I was glad to have my hiking poles. At the PCT the ground is covered with several feet of snow except in some areas near stands of trees. We found an excellent, dry campsite right at the crest which was just 30 yards or so above running water.

Our original plan had been to return along the ridge over Bryant, LongFellow and Poe but that looked like ice axes and boots would be required so we returned the way we came after a short detour to enjoy the view east of Kodak Pk.

The lower five miles of this hike is somewhat like the trip in to Spider Meadows along Phelps Creek but I found it much more pleasant. It has the feel of a trail that doesn't see quite as many people as the the Phelps Creek trail. Reports from several years back claim that this trail was quite overgrown ... but it has been cleared and is now quite pleasant.

We did see a black bear above us in one of the lower meadows and some bear scat along the trail.

Trail is snow free and in good condition, brushy in places as the route passs from forest to meadows to forest many times. Trail crew are re-routing around the Meander Meadow area, with the new trail heading along a straight traverse up the hillside to the PCT. I see why this re-route makes sense from the stand point of avoiding the tender meadow area, and the trail going up above the meadows has been overused with parallel paths.

Trail 1525 is wet and brushy, but in good shape nonetheless. Waterproof boots and gaiters or long quick-dry pants are the ticket. Snow-free until ~1 mi past Meander Meadow, then patches up to PCT. Lots of melting. Meander Meadow sites in good shape except for old piles of horse/mule droppings that were there last August also. Pit toilet (with a great view!) getting full, so pack out your used TP, please! PCT N & S of jct w/ 1525 has patches of snow still, but trail to Kodak Pk is all clear. Bryant Pk Trail from PCT to flank of Pk 6052 clear of snow also (didn't go further E). Spent Fri & Sat nights @ Meander Meadow; bugs are out in force. Trail crew making progress on new bypass, but a lot to go.

We intended to go to Lk Sally Ann on Sat and out via Cady Ridge, but S PCT from Kodak Pk looked pretty snowy & icy in places, esp. for full packs and no sticks or axes to help us. Maybe snow-free in a few weeks?

The plan was to backpack up Little Wenatchee River Trail (1525) and come back Cady Ridge Trail (1532). Camped at Meander Meadow (about 6.5 miles in) and scouted out trail up to PCT. Surprise! Lots of snow and the ridge above Meander Meadow was muddy mess of snow and snowmelt. So we hiked out on 1525. Meander Meadow itself (about 4900') was snowfree. Gorgeous flowers all along the way, lots of open meadows and great views. Met Forest Service contractors who are rerouting the trail to bypass Meander Meadow and sidehill along Wenatchee Ridge up to PCT intersection. This reroute makes sense; WTA also has trail crews there that are rerouting further down -- existing route looks fine to me. Trail is very brushy, but crew told me the ranger mgr told them not to waste their time brushing (!). Crew said he was ""a horse guy"". So much for two-legged hikers!