Summerland - Panhandle Gap, Indian Bar - Summerland Traverse & Meany Crest — Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025

“Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.”
― Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain

After two big loops in the Park (and just outside the park) I decided I wanted to get my feet on a new (to me) area of the Park.  I have climbed Little Tahoma but we did so in spring when everything was snow covered and with a summit as a goal, or group was focused on a linear route, with little time for "exploring" the high reaches of the mountain.

Summits are of little interest to me now, I desire to move around and discover the little hidden secrets of the mountain, and it was time for me to get up to Meany Crest and move around the terminus of Fryingpan Glacier, then drop down to the Wonderland above Indian Bar.  

I'm typically a weekend worker so was a little apprehensive of the crowds on these popular hikes bring on the weekends.  I was up early as I didn't have a timed entry permit and I wanted to get started before most.  The parking lot at the trailhead was mostly empty at 0430 and surprisingly, I didn't encounter anyone on the trail to Summerland.  No notes for this section, covered plenty and it's in absolutely fantastic condition.  I hit the open meadow just as the alpenglow hit the mountain.

At Summerland, I spied the climbers trail for Little T and followed that through the open meadows above Summerland.  It's typical climbers trail fare, steep, some half hearted attempt at switchbacks and lots of loose dirt.  But it gets you up towards Meany Crest quickly.  The final 100' of climbing is a little more scrambly and I did use my hands here.  But the effort is worth it. A whole new world of alpine opens up before you, rocky ribs, giant vistas, the aqua blue of glacier ice, cascading waterfalls.  Drama!

I continued on the obvious trail until it hit the glacier.  Then as a solo traveler, I had to find my way around the terminus of the glacier to try and avoid travel on it.  To be honest, this portion seems relatively benign and crevasse free.  But I try to minimize risk as much as possible these days.

Since there is no trail here, hard to report on it but with careful observation and movement, I made my way around from rock island to rock island, taking it all in.  Probably with my mouth wide open most of the time.

Eventually worked my way over to a long ridge of scree, followed the ridge until I could look down and see Indian Bar, some more movement and the Wonderland was in sight but so was also a beautiful little tarn perched above the valley that leads down to Indian Bar.  Worked my way down scree slopes and snowfields to the little tarn.  I had planned to take the Wonderland down to Indian Bar just because I love it there but at this point, I decided to stay cross country and dropped down into this incredible valley formed by the Ohanapecosh Glacier when it was much, much larger.  

This terrain could be best described as "rubble".  Loose dirt, kitty litter and medium sized talus.  I think most would find it tedious but I was so engrossed being surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls that I didn't really notice it. This is a long descent, maybe about two miles and took some time, but I had all day and a headlamp (always) if needed. Eventually you have to work your way over into open meadows to avoid some cliffs.  Finally, not finding a way to get across the Ohanapecosh, I hitched onto the Wonderland and finished the last quarter mile or so to Indian Bar.

Found the comfiest rock ever near the bridge and promptly fell asleep for an hour.  Woke up rejuvenated and made the climb out of Indian Bar with relative ease.  The Wonderland between Indian Bar and Summerland is in excellent condition with a few snow patches.  Lots of water sources.  The Gap looks pretty easy to get through as a lower trail has been made by hikers that avoids the steep sidehilling section.  However, I was in a curious mood and found the way around the little bump in the ridge that bypasses this section of the Gap.  A little scrambly in one section but a great alternative if the Gap is looking too risky.

Easy cruise to the car from there.  

Of note, tried to add additional pictures but was unable to.  I will link my Strava track below as you should be able to see additional pictures without an account.

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.strava.com/activities/15404206842