Spider Meadows #1511,Lyman Lakes
Aug 25, 2007
- 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
- Snow on trail
August 25th, 2007: Spider Meadows – Lyman Lakes
Lyman Lakes have got to be the most unique set of lakes I have seen in Washington. The setting, the lake color, even the meadows and rocks which ringed the lake seemed different. With dark clouds hanging low in the Lyman Lakes basin, pierced by occasional shafts of sunlight, it was an intimately magical experience.
I began my hike at 5:30am from the trailhead. While most people complain that the first 5mi section through the woods is boring, I found it soothing: it was a real pleasure to walk the beautiful tread and just switch off in anticipation of the wonders to come. An hour and a half after starting, I was at Spider Meadows. The meadows were as spectacular as always: towering mountains rising high on each side, lush greens and silvery Phelps Creek. The flowers were out, but looking a little tired: “We’ve done our bit, now leave us alone...”
I enjoyed the meadows as I ambled along to the far end and the seeming cul-de-sac. Halfway through, I took the wrong ‘social’ trail and blundered about for a good half-hour (even crossing Phelps creek 4 times!) before finally regaining the obvious main trail. A little while later I was at the junction with the trail to Spider Gap and the escape from Spider Meadows.
The trail to Spider Gap climbed steeply, but lots of fresh flowers (finally!) and ever more stunning views of Spider Meadows kept me entertained. Pretty soon I was at the permanent snow field of Spider Glacier, the gleaming white escalator to Spider Gap. Red Mountain rose up high to the left and streams/waterfalls cascaded off its flanks to disappear beneath the snows of Spider Glacier. The snow field was in good condition (firm but not hard or icy) and carried me gently upwards to the Gap.
Ominous clouds wreathed Spider Gap, and a cold wind picked up, which got stronger the higher I climbed. Fleeting shafts of sunlight would periodically give my spirits a lift in the gloomy conditions. Finally, I reached the gap and the oft-documented views of Lyman Lakes.
More dark clouds enveloping and obscuring the mountain tops on either side of the Lyman Lakes basin gave the place an extremely intimate feel. As I picked my way down the snow field towards the basin the views improved even more and the feeling of intimacy increased. (I had not seen a soul since I started my ascent of Spider Glacier; now I crossed 2 people heading up to the Gap. These would be the only 2 people I would see my entire time in the Lyman Lakes basin.)
Eventually, I was down by the pale blue shores of Upper Lyman Lake. Lyman Glacier at the start of the lake was large, and in charge. Blue ice floating in the lake nestled up against the base of the glacier. Small pools and streams cut through the reddish rock on one side of the lake, while screes tumbled down to the lake on the far side. Manicured green meadows at the mouth of the lake were cut by a wide, pale-blue outflow stream which snaked its way to the second lake and then on to the third...
I wandered over to Lower Lyman Lake through beautiful meadows (though stopped about a mile short of its far end). Another stunning lake: From up high I could see how the wide inlet stream snaked its way well into the lake and bleeded its blues to color the whole. Quite a sight!
The way back was uneventful and much busier: Spider Glacier had numerous people climbing up as I started down...
Additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani/sets/72157601669589629
Stats:
• Distance: ~22mi
• Elevation gain: ~5,400ft
• Hiking time: 10hrs
|
Upper Lyman Lake shores
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
