Waptus Lake via Waptus River — Thursday, Jul. 10, 2025

First day is a strong 

Second day I think I've gone to hell 

Third day coming to Jesus moment and realizing you were in hell you were in heaven. Cuz heaven is really hard to get to.


Day 1

Drive to San la trailhead was easy. At the very very end small amount of gravel but any vehicle could make it. Trailhead bathrooms also it's a good parking. Must have Forest service pass. 


@ 1.76 mi and 2 mi exactly two very nice water sources. 


Trail for the most part two mile two is easy going Little up little down. Lot of dust. Nice underfoot for most of the two miles so far. I do not like the sand dirt walking. I do think it's harder than regular dirt walking.


Glorious water 3.2 mi 


Amazing Creek just up from the wapas River clock in 4.5 mi 


Decided to sit and eat right about mile five. Front water bottle at 75° made it 5 mi. 


6.6 mi from trailhead beautiful lunch spot right along peaceful flowing water. 


At junction make sure you check map to water cross and follow the map to the right.


Water crossing easy. Mid thigh for me.


11 mi 5 hours 


There are no mosquitoes there are no bugs but there is some good wind. And the clouds harboring over these peaks is something. Li



Day 2

Starting 50 degrees off to Spade Lake 


From camping two trailhead 

.8 of a mile 


Small small flowing creek @ one mile up. Probably be dry in the summer. 


2 mi up amazing water must stop. 


Mile 2 so wiped. Lunch spot and Filled water.


Right around 2 mi or so once you hit an open ridge line view of Rainier and all these other wondrous peaks in addition their cell service. 


4.32 miles 4 hours


Tent sites are scattered around..most on rock. I didn't find good hammock trees. Bummer carried and didn't get to hang. 


Right of lake was told buggy. Very windy.


Wind is absolutely crazy. If stops mosquitoes start. 


Day 3

Hike out

I don't think the hike down from spade is any easier than hike up. I still took quite a bit of time. 



Got to lunch spot --- water source had a walking tamale and I shot a pickle juice and sat in the water for a minute and I'm ready to roll I'm ready to go home. 


Full water source 8.8 mi from Spade. Had to dip hat so hit. 

10.5 hat dip #2 


Ended my day by taking a dip in the river for like 20 minutes. 

14 mi 8 hours 15 minutes

86 degrees