Spider Gap, Spider Meadows
Jul 12, 2009
by
HikerChick
—
last modified
Sep 15, 2010 02:51 PM
- Type of Outing
- Overnight
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Spider Gap
- Region: North Cascades -- Suiattle River
- Avg Rating: 3.50
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Spider Gap - Buck Creek Pass Loop
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
- Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, Leavenworth
- Trails: Phelps Creek Trail (#1511), (#1256B), (#1256), (#1279), PCT (#2000), (#789), Buck Creek (#1513)
- Avg Rating: 3.89
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Spider Meadow and Phelps Basin
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - East
- Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, Leavenworth
- Trails: Spider Meadows (#1511)
- Avg Rating: 4.13
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- Water on trail
- Snow on trail
Despite an ominous weather report, we headed off for an overnight to Spider Meadows. The trail into the meadows is in great shape with only a few places that would benefit from drainage work. There are a lot of small creek crossings along the way.
There are tons of wildflowers blooming – bluebells, queen’s cup, lupine, columbine, tiger lily, avalanche lily, and a gazillion others - but it is still early. There are many more blooms to come!
We arrived in Spider to see the destruction left by a massive avalanche. While the snow was gone, the giant matchsticks that were once trees were scattered across the first part of the meadow. At least a couple of campsites were almost certainly scoured away. It was hard to grasp the force that must have torn through to do that much damage.
The trail is clear all the way to the far end of Spider Meadows. Once you get close to Phelps Creek, you will find a couple of snow crossings - including one over the creek. We found the snow to be solid - but caution is still advised. It won't be long before the snow bridge is too weak for crossing.
We were pelted with hail and rain before reaching our chosen camp area, so we set up in one of the horse camps at the far end of the meadows to hunker down as Mother Nature put on several thunder and lighting storms.
The next morning we awoke to the rapturous songs of our feathered friends and the peeps and whistles of pikas and marmots. Once we got ourselves together, we headed up toward Spider Gap. The trail toward the Gap is much improved over previous years and the flowers become even more abundant along steep slopes. While the trail is improved, don't think it is easy. Compared to the lower trails, this one is more of a scramble. There are many loose rocks and it is steep. Seriously fun - but steep.
Once we reached the snowfield below Spider Glacier, we were awed by the views back toward the floor of Spider Meadows and amazed by the waterfalls cascading off of the surrounding cliff walls. The place was empty of people and beautiful. 500' higher it was also full of fog. Since neither of us felt the need to trudge up the snow into a thick white cloud so we could see nothing but white, we turned around.
By the time we made it back to our camp, the sun came out to fill the lower areas with warmth and dazzling light. We were finally able to see the tops of Mt. Maude and Seven Fingered Jack while Dumbbell Mountain and much of Red Mountain played an on-going game of peek-a-boo through the clouds.
The hike out was mellow and became increasingly hotter as we got closer to the parking lot. Growling stomachs made the drive out feel longer than the ride in but eventually we made it back to the highway for delicious (and oh, so healthy) cheeseburgers and onion rings!
A great trip and one of the most amazing places in Washington!
There are tons of wildflowers blooming – bluebells, queen’s cup, lupine, columbine, tiger lily, avalanche lily, and a gazillion others - but it is still early. There are many more blooms to come!
We arrived in Spider to see the destruction left by a massive avalanche. While the snow was gone, the giant matchsticks that were once trees were scattered across the first part of the meadow. At least a couple of campsites were almost certainly scoured away. It was hard to grasp the force that must have torn through to do that much damage.
The trail is clear all the way to the far end of Spider Meadows. Once you get close to Phelps Creek, you will find a couple of snow crossings - including one over the creek. We found the snow to be solid - but caution is still advised. It won't be long before the snow bridge is too weak for crossing.
We were pelted with hail and rain before reaching our chosen camp area, so we set up in one of the horse camps at the far end of the meadows to hunker down as Mother Nature put on several thunder and lighting storms.
The next morning we awoke to the rapturous songs of our feathered friends and the peeps and whistles of pikas and marmots. Once we got ourselves together, we headed up toward Spider Gap. The trail toward the Gap is much improved over previous years and the flowers become even more abundant along steep slopes. While the trail is improved, don't think it is easy. Compared to the lower trails, this one is more of a scramble. There are many loose rocks and it is steep. Seriously fun - but steep.
Once we reached the snowfield below Spider Glacier, we were awed by the views back toward the floor of Spider Meadows and amazed by the waterfalls cascading off of the surrounding cliff walls. The place was empty of people and beautiful. 500' higher it was also full of fog. Since neither of us felt the need to trudge up the snow into a thick white cloud so we could see nothing but white, we turned around.
By the time we made it back to our camp, the sun came out to fill the lower areas with warmth and dazzling light. We were finally able to see the tops of Mt. Maude and Seven Fingered Jack while Dumbbell Mountain and much of Red Mountain played an on-going game of peek-a-boo through the clouds.
The hike out was mellow and became increasingly hotter as we got closer to the parking lot. Growling stomachs made the drive out feel longer than the ride in but eventually we made it back to the highway for delicious (and oh, so healthy) cheeseburgers and onion rings!
A great trip and one of the most amazing places in Washington!
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Great Report
From your report one concludes that the creek was not obstructed by the great avalanche.
Thanks. William