Spade Lake, Waptus Lake via Waptus River — Sunday, Jun. 23, 2019

Headed up to Waptus and Spade Lake via the Waptus River Trail today. Trail is completely snow free all the way to Spade Lake. 

The trail along the Waptus River is nice and rolling for about 8 miles until you get to Waptus Lake. If you're looking at a trail map, it looks like you either have to go right after the horse ford to the Spinola Creek Trail then head south on the PCT, or keep going on the Waptus River Trail after the horse ford until you get to the PCT then head east. Neither of these are necessary. You can continue on the Waptus River Trail and about a mile after the horse ford, you will see a sign for a "hiker trail" to Spade Lake. The trail is steep, gaining appx. 2500' in about 3 miles. 

I had heard that bugs were terrible, but I didn't notice them too much (granted, I was running) and it was pretty windy up at Spade Lake. I noticed them a little bit when I would stop to filter water. I'm sure if I was moving a bit slower, they would've been bad.

It ended up being 25.5 miles roundtrip from the Salmon La Sac Trailhead to Spade Lake and back with about 5300' of elevation gain and it took me 7.5 hours. Would love to come back and spend the night at the lake!