We hiked in to Lake Waptus with our dog. Saw quite a few people during the first half of the hike until it hits the river, then no one after. Aggressive mosquitoes on the upper section of the trail where there is foliage close in to the trail - I usually don't have a problem with mosquitoes getting on me while I'm hiking, only when I slow down or stop....

Anyway it was a nice hike overall, Lake Waptus was beautiful as always. More people camping there than usual, which I assume was from PCT traffic as we saw almost no one on the hike back either. Huckleberries were ripe in the sunny sections of the trail, which is always nice. Some wildflowers still in bloom.

We ran across a couple of groups of horsemen who were both skeptical that we could hike in "all the way to Lake Waptus" since they had not made it there on their day trip. I guess they need to drive their horses a little harder. :)

Hikers still need to use the horse fjord. How long has that bridge been out - 5 years? Guys, let me know when a work party is organized to go up there and fix it. I'm game.

An enjoyable outing with good weather, no snow problems, and only occasionally hungry bugs.
Have to do the horse ford at about 6.5 miles into the trail to waptus. Brought poles and water shoes which made it a breeze.

Stayed overnight at east end of waptus. The wind kept the bugs away. Glorious weather this trip.

Trail to spade lake is a bit daunting, some logs to crawl over and under- nothing to difficult. Drink lots of water folks... it's a long steep trail. Beautiful lake.

Destroyed my boots on this trip. Hey- they were getting old anyway.

Notes; 12 person (8 boys, 4 adults) Boy Scout troop out of Issaquah. GPS & gaiters highly advised as there are long sections of the PCT Tr 2000 are under snow, most north slope/shadowed areas have snow, in some areas the snow was 10'+ ft deep. Plan on snow at elevations above 5000'. Lots of downed trees to scramble under/over from Stevens to almost Waptus Lk. Unless noted, PCT Tr 2000 is what is being reported

Day 1; Started at Stevens pass on 7 Aug, trail through far side of ski resort good, (down trees in resort) , lost trail in snow just beyond power lines, found trail intermittently on traverse to Lk Susan Jane, on climb up to junction with Tr 1551 more patches snow. Spent night at Josephine Lk, mosquitoes bad, toilet needs maintenance (still usable), lake water temp cool

Day 2; Josephine Lk to Glacier Lk, left Josephine @ 0845, and back on PCT at 0930, was in snow with in 200yds, using GPS, found very short (1 - 100 yds) sections of trail exposed. At pass above Swimming Deer Lk caught up with British ROTC group that was turning back due to trail conditions and inadequate equipment. Snow on trail until Mig Lk. Trail stayed clear except a few spots above Trap Lk, those spots were really bad as they were in avalanche chutes that were hundreds of feet down and stopped in boulder fields. Arrived at 1800hrs, all were really tired, Glacier Lk still had ice floating in it, tent locations were small/scarce due to snow on all flat areas. Mosquitoes bad, very damp location... No toilet

Day 3; Glacier Lk to Hyas Lk (Bypassed Deception Pass to Cathedral Rock section due to resupply stop at Tucquala Meadows trailhead) Started on trail @ 0900, lots of snow once out of boulder fields and at base of Pieper pass climb, trail is spotty than just disappears part way up, had to scramble/bushwack for 2/3's of the way up due to steep snow. Once on Pieper pass summit and down to Hyas Lk just patches to cross. Arrived Hyas Lk at 1600hrs. Used camp sites in mid lake, Mosquitoes OK, toilet in good condition

Day 4; Hyas Lk to resupply at Tucquala Meadows trailhead, than to Peggys Pond. Left Hyas at 0900, did resupply, started up Tr 1345 at 1100. Passed FS maintenance crew clearing downed trees part way up switch backs, they mentioned that most trails around Waptus Lk were cleared but the PCT into Snoqualmie still had lots of downed trees and snow crossings that needed ice axes and crampons. Did lunch at Squaw Lk, than continued on to Peggys Pond. The trail (Tr 1375) to Peggys Pond is really a mt goat trail... If you follow the well-used trail you will most likely miss where you should start a uphill route going directly to Peggys. If you missed the "Y" and continue you'll find yourself at a small pond. From the looks of the trail, most people think this is Peggys and turn around and head back, if you head uphill from this pond you will find Peggys Pond (really a sm lake), area was mostly covered in snow from lower pond to Peggys. Later in the night the wind really blew through and was clouded/cold/damp in the morning. Figured out that as soon as we got out from between Mt Daniel and Cathedral Rock the clouds cleared... Mosquitoes OK, south toilet has been disassembled(?), found where it had been (hole is filled in), a few boards now lean against nearby tree, north toilet usable

Day 5; Peggys Pond to Waptus Lk. Once back on PCT it was a now normal hike with some downed trees to cross. Had a stream fording near Deep Lk that went well, thought the mosquitoes were going to carry off our smallest scout... really bad... Turned off the PCT at Tr 1310.1, had a pleasant night at the south end of Waptus Lk, few mosquitoes, some flies that bite, toilet in good condition.

Day 6; Waptus Lk to Salmon La Sac via Tr 1329.1 to Tr 1310. Waptus river ford on Tr 1329.1 was above the knee deep. Hike into Salmon La Sac was uneventful... 5 nights, 5 & 1/2 days, 54 +/- miles

I just wrote a trip report, but forgot to add something important I wanted to say.
I always carry out trash I find. This hike was no different. A few things like bar wrappers, napkin, balloon. While hiking the trail I spotted a red dot of blood on a smooth rock over the trail. 10 feet further was a red, bloody feminine hygiene product. Yes, I picked the thing up (carefully) and carried it out. I was thinking I deserve some super extra Mojo Karma Juice for that one. What did I get??? I got a $75 fine!
I got back to the car with a $75 fine one the windshield. I had my parking pass up on the windshield rearview mirror, so why??....It turns out I displayed the parking pass without the little America the Beutiful card with it.
I guess some forest ranger has no sympathy, no understanding of a simple mistake, or ability to have disgression about giving me just a warning first.
Not happy, angry drive all the way home. $75 is such a large fine.