Spider Meadows #1511
Aug 23, 2006
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- 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
- Be Aware Of
- Overgrown
- Bugs
The hike to Spider Meadow was very dusty but the dust is broken up by several streams crossing the trail. Bugs were tolerable as long as you keep moving. The meadow and views are beautiful! Flowers mostly gone and the snow on the mountains getting scarce, but still an awsome hike. The trail across the meadow is overgrown and requires anyone wearing shorts to love close encounters. I hiked to the ridge at the far end of the valley and camped on the cliff overlooking the valley. Great views down to the valley and out to the mountains, especially sunset/sunrise. The wind howled all night and made for a bugless camping experience. The next day I hiked up the Spider glacier/snowfield to Spider gap and then beyond to about 1/2 way to Lyman Lake..what views! Lyman glacier is definitely glacier looking with large crevasses and wall extending into the melt pond/lake.
On the Spider glacier/snowfield I encountered the only wildlife on the trip (or should I call it the wilddead?). In the middle of the snowfield was a marmot, four leggs to the sky, not sure how he got there! On the way down the snowfield, I started to take the rock/cairn-marked way instead of the snowfield, but stopped after 1/4 of the way...the snow is much easier and more fun! - though there are spots/holes with running water underneath. Only met 4 other groups during the two days. One couple stopped me in Spider Meadow and said they were hiking to Holden village and spending 4 days out....and asked ME if they were on the right trail to Lyman lake ..where they wanted to spend the first night...scary...hope they're ok.
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