Chain and Doelle Lakes, Frosty Pass, Ladies Pass & Chatter Creek — Sunday, Jul. 27, 2025

I hiked in at Stevens Pass, past Josephine on Icicle Creek trail, up to Chain/Doelle Lakes where I camped, then over Frosty, Mary, Ladies passes and down Chatter Creek.

I've been looking for alternatives to the Enchantments and this exceeded expectations. Classic alpine terrain, lakes, peaks, and views - but without the crowds. If you're willing to be on rough trail (which for me was almost a bonus). 

Short Version - The trail is there the whole way but often covered with brush. You will get nature on you. Keep your GPS handy and pay attention to sticks and rocks blocking unofficial trails. The right trail is always there, but not always obvious. After leaving the PCT, I saw a total of one person (on a Sun/Mon). Given the exposure on the ridge, I would not go in bad weather of if there was still snow. I expected the climb on day one to be hard, but day two was almost identical in distance and elevation. The hike along the ridge and over the passes is absolutely stunning and I think world class. 

Long Version - The weather forecast was clear and a little cooler for this time of year. This trip checked a lot of boxes for me - high alpine, low crowds, new area, challenge, pre PCT training, close to home. I started on Sunday morning at 8am and left my truck at Stevens to get picked up and taken to Chatter Creek (just the way it worked for us). There was an archery event at the Pass that caught me off guard - 100+ hunters with bows! Turns out it was just challenge course they do every year with targets. Very cool and I was out of their way as soon as I hit the first ridge. It was cool and misty but I knew it would clear off. Passed lots of folks coming off the PCT and it was fun to hear their reports. 

The section from the PCT down Icicle Creek was an easy down hill. Some brush, plenty of water, and bugs were light (but I put on lotion). I stopped for lunch at the last creek crossing. The trail up to Chain Lakes was not terrible. I think I built it up in my head. Once you get to Chain Lakes, you'll have view after view for the rest of the trip. It was early and I felt better than expected so I pushed on over the saddle to Doelle Lakes. If you're staying at Chain Lakes, make the side trip up for the views. At the ridge, there is an obvious zig zag trail right in front of you. It's blocked with sticks - don't take it. The actual trail skirts around to the right and then goes down the nose of a small ridge. The granite background of Bulls Tooth at Doelle Lakes is amazing. I wandered around looking for campsites. The only established sites I could find are right off the trail past the lower lake. No toilet [edit - apparently there is a toilet below upper lake]. Took a dip in the lake and was in the tent early. 

Day 2 started at 7am. The trail to the meadow is very brushy but obvious and I got completely car washed. Once you leave the meadow and round the first turn, the views start. Don't expect to move fast - you're either going to have tricky footing or incredible views. Or both. The rest of the hike all the way to Lake Edna is stunning. Every turn has a view of something different. I don't have many pictures because it was impossible to catch it all and best to just soak it in. There are a few spots where you can lose the trail, but nothing terrible. The turn around Cape Horn is looks sketchier than it is. 

It was 1:00 by the time I hit Edna. I expected Chatter Creek to be a straight forward descent but it wasn't. The basin you see from the lake is Index. You're going down and then over the ridge to your right. More down and up. But it's more views and tricky hiking. As if the day weren't enough, Chatter Creek is it's own reward. Up high is granite rock wall and snow and a walk through a ginormous rock garden. Then a long descent on a rocky trail, which is covered by brush from mid-way down. I stumbled here more than anywhere. 

I still can't process how many views there were for a two day trip. It was work, but the best kind. Highly recommended and will definitely go back. Some trail maintenance is going to be needed to keep this alive.