I did an overnighter to take full advantage of Flapjack Lakes and Gladys Divide. Absolutely epic! I'll start from the beginning:
Road:
Gravel road to the national park entry is rough in parts. Lots of small potholes that can be hard to see in the full sun. However, any car can easily make it; just be careful! Parking lot was full at 11 am when I pulled in. Parked along the street in front of the campground.
Bugs:
They get their own section. They were terrible. Everywhere, every minute. Take a bath in bug spray, and you will be good to go!
To Spike Camp:
Trail in excellent condition to Spike Camp, where I spent the night. There are still water sources along this first 3.5ish mile stretch of the North Fork Trail. Didn't see too many people after passing the Staircase Loop junction/bridge. There is a bear wire at this camp and a few campsites. There was only one other person there when I arrived. I dumped my tent and most of my weight and bounced off towards Flapjack.
To Flapjack:
It was hot. I knew it would be, so I was prepared, but I went through liters and liters of water. I stopped counting! Thankfully, the trail parallels a river for awhile, so water was abundant. This trail can be steep and rocky/rooty at times. A few trees down, but nothing dramatic. The last 0.5 mile, once past the junction with White and Black Lakes Trail, is the worst. I met a ranger coming down who was checking permits.
Flapjack Lakes:
Gorgeous, crystal blue water. Plenty of people there swimming and hanging out. After doing some exploring along the shore, I picked up the trail again and was off to Gladys Divide.
Gladys Divide:
A couple water sources along the trail in case you are running low. This was an absolutely delightful trail with such a surprise! You are traveling in deep forest when all of the sudden, you aren't. It spits you out into gorgeous alpine meadows, with abundant wildflowers and bubbling streams. The Sawtooth Range and Cruiserr loom overhead. It's indescribable! I continued with my mouth on the ground towards the divide. There are only two small snow patches left. Easy to cross without any additional gear. Views from the divide did not disappoint either!! And I was the only one there. I didn't continue on towards Gladys' summit, only because I didn't actually know you could. Now that I know, I am already planning a return trip. If you are camping at Flapjack, you need to do this trail.
The return trip to Spike Camp was uneventful. Ran into a couple backpacking parties that had underestimated the trail in the heat. Spike Camp had only two other groups there besides me. This morning, I returned via Staircase Rapids. Wasn't too crowded at 9 am, and the water was beautiful!
Comments