Embarked on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip up to Blue Glacier.
Day 1: Hiked from the visitor center to Lewis Meadows. There are only 5 or so 'designated' camp sites, but plenty of tent/overfill spots closer to the river. Has a toilet and a bear wire, too! The crossing over to the gravel bar is sketchy, especially with a full pack. Consider fording the river for fastest access.
Day 2: Dayhiked from Lewis Meadows up to Blue Glacier, for about a 15 mi day, all told. The trail from camp to the glacier starts flat, but quickly ascends. No snow up to Elk Lake. After Elk Lake, it starts getting interesting. You need to cross an avalanche chute (it's all scree now) — I advise going across one at a time. After the avvie chute, you have to go down a precarious ladder that is deteriorating by the second (it's held up by cables and has a nice rope you can lean back on, though). Also a one-at-a-time affair. The snowfields start after the ladder, and continue up to Glacier Meadows. Spikes would be useless: the snow is melting (rapidly, too). After Glacier Meadows, it's another 0.9mi or so until the viewpoint of the Blue Glacier. All uphill, all in snow. Watch out for the slushy snow bridges.
We ran into a dude who said he made it up to the glacier in "just tennis shoes" - possible, considering how slushy the snow is. Good hiking boots, gaiters, and poles are recommended.
Day 3: Packed up camp, and slogged all the way back the Hoh River Trail to the visitor center.
Photos: http://instagram.com/wudanyan
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