I did a 3D2N out and back trip to the Ladies Pass / Chiwaukum Lakes area approaching from and returning to White Pine TH, via the Wildhorse Creek trail, sleeping both nights at Lake Mary.
There are quite a few trip reports on this area, so I am only going to focus on things that I either did not see in the other trip reports, or that I have a different perspective on.
First thing, my trusted guidebook said that the approach from White Pine TH via Wildhorse Creek was in the author's opinion a good one because it has decent views, decent water and is not overly overgrown, and I personally agree with all those characteristics. I've seen some other reports indicating that in some folks' opinion that the White Pine into Wildhorse Creek route is overgrown, and personally I would not say so. Sure, there are sections where it is slightly too brushy, but nothing even 50% out of the ordinary. It was honestly smooth hiking all the way through, and I counted 0 blowdowns I had to overcome. I've seen clear signs of maintenance in the form of all the sawn-off small and large logs. Thank you Forest Service! Also after the initial 5 miles in the forest, the views indeed open up as you are hiking up, and you have a beatiful view on the other side of the Wildhorse valley as you go up, which makes the grinding so much more bearable :)
Next thing, where to stay. I see a lot of love for the Upper Florence lake, which indeed is beautiful, but in my opinion the best place to stay is Lake Mary, at least if you are going in Fall like I did where there is a risk of wind gusts at night. It is set in a magnificent cirque, has fewer people (most people I met planned to stay at Upper Florence) and best of all, has an absolute VIP campsite which in my personal experience is one of the best campsites I've stayed at, because it is on a small slope right above the lake, with a nice view of the lake and with easy access to a small "beach" AND it has a couple of trees around it which break up wind gusts so you are covered from bad winds. Usually, you have to choose one or the other (e.g. Upper Florence has nice views but not much tree cover), but this campsite has both. I absolutely loved it, and Friday night had the entire like to myself, whereas I knew there are folks staying at Upper Florence, a magical experience.
Ladies Pass itself was beautiful, not just the pass but the entire trail to get there via Mary's Pass, and I highly recommend to visit Lake Edna, it is magical during the day (I do understand it is very gusty at night, so hanging out daytime you get the best of both worlds :)).
Overall, I love this area and hope to come back, perhaps via Chiwaukum Creek / Hatchery Creek loop (though I am a bit worried about all the blowdown reports there).
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