As expected there were quite a few people on the trail so be prepared to pull over to pass/let others pass quite frequently. We went later in the day and there were only a few other parties at the top by the time we got up, which lets out into a beautiful opening full of larches in peak form. Be aware, while we were up there it began to snow. It didn’t stick but I wouldn’t be surprised if it started to stick pretty soon considering the temperature. Definitely bring layers so you can enjoy the top. Once you stop moving, it gets very cold very quickly.

Got an early start on this hike on a cold Friday morning. Started at 7 in the morning. The road to the trailhead is pretty bumpy and rocky, higher clearance car would be good. The whole hike you’re gaining elevation. Once I got to Carne Mountain Basin I had views of larches the rest of the hike. The larches were beautiful. Got to the top of Carne Mountain at 9 and had it all to myself for 30 minutes until I decided to head back. The views at the top were amazing. The way back down I saw at least 100 people coming up, thank goodness for the early start. Everyone was very friendly and happy to be out hiking. Got back to my car at 11 and cars were lined up down the road. Make sure to get out here as soon as you can to see the beauty.

With PTO to use by years end we took Friday off work and booked a room in Leavenworth planning to figure out which hikes to do, in route.  We headed North on Thursday after work planning to hike Friday and Saturday.   It's been 7 years since we sought out a larch hike (Lake Ingalls).  I believe we went on a Monday, and we saw just a handful of people.  Fully aware things have changed in the past 6+ years we were prepared to enjoy the company of our fellow hikers.   We opted for a later start than usual, allowing the sun to rise higher and warm things up by the time we arrived at the top of our chosen destination, Carne Mountain.

We arrived at the Phelps Creek TH around 9:30am at which time it was about 30 degrees, and there were around 25 cars with more arriving behind us.  The trail is a climber so we warmed up in a hurry, and were in shirtsleeves in no time. 

Downed Trees:  It is evident that several trees have been cleared from the trail. Then you reach a tree that has been sawed through but not cleared (from the trail)- from there there were about 17 downed trees across the trail. None of these trees were difficult to get over it just added some parkour to the adventure.

Once at the basin you are front row to the larches.  A party with two tents was camped in middle just to the right of the stream that runs through the basin. We didn't see any other tents until the saddle where there was a tarp type shelter to the right as you reach the saddle (Carne Mt is to the left). We snapped a few pics from the basin and headed up. Upon arrival at the summit there was a solo hiker who was preparing to depart, so we had the summit to ourselves for a few minutes before another couple arrived. Then a pair we'd just passed arrived, then a pair of backpackers we'd chatted with earlier, then another pair, and another.  We took in the views from the top, then headed down to find a spot among the larches to soak in the gold before readying ourselves for the descent. 

Everyone was friendly and seemed excited for the spectacular scenery. It's a fairly steep hike but worth the effort.  We clocked ~8.6 miles . 3700' eg

The dirt road to the trailhead was a bit rough on the last 4 miles but I really didn't think that it was that bad. The worst part is if you get stuck behind someone going painfully slow. There were about 20-30 cars in the lot. Some of them were probably going to Spider Meadow. It took me just under 3 hours to drive to the trailhead from Factoria.

It was supposed to be very cold today so I got to the trailhead at 11 am.  With sunshine and no wind it ended up being very comfortable hiking weather. Some folks were wearing t-shirts.   

The trail is moderately steep and keeps up a constant pitch of 800 to 1000 feet per mile.  The first 1.5 miles have been recently logged out.  There are 5 or 10 windfall to negotiate between 1.5 and 2 miles.  At 3 miles you reach the basin that is filled with golden Larches.  This is also where you can fill up your canteen.  This is the only available water on the trail.  

The next 1.1 miles to the peak is the best part.  You are surrounded by Larches and beautiful views.  The grove of Larches here is more dense than most places.  I would say that the larches are mostly at peak but there are still a number of lime green larches.  It should be good for about another week. Only saw about 20 other hiker and everyone was friendly and in a good mood! If you can photograph the Larches with backlighting then they really look bright and beautiful.

RT 8.3 mi, 3500 ft

Bottomline - larches approaching peak - GO SOON!

Stats

• Distance: 10.2 miles 
• Vertical: 3776 feet
• Duration: 6-1/2 hours
• Weather: Cloudy to mix of sun and cloud
• Takeaway: This was a new hike for me. This area had the largest larch in the world for a time (before it fell) which was promising. Having done many larch hikes in Washington State, this ranks up with the best. The sheer concentration of larches here, and larch views on distant ridges miles to 10's of miles away, is second to none (so far). Outstanding! The larches are nearing peak with just a few spots with some green color (depending on elevation). Go as soon as possible!!

We staged ourselves at Nason Creek campground for this hike given the shorter fall days. Nice campground although close to 207 traffic - last weekend is 10/8.

I had traveled the 25-ish miles to the trailhead before, and had some pre expectations - helpful for a road this long. It is paved for the 1st 11 miles of so, then single lane, then dirt and single lane. The road is only rough in the last 4+ miles, just before and after the turnoff to Phelps Creek Trailhead Road (Road 6211). Numerous trail descriptions had warned that the last 3 miles were extremely rough, but it honestly was not that bad. Recent trips to Pilchuck and Bandera had similarly rough roads. I would recommend high clearance but saw regular cars at the trailhead seemingly no worse for wear. A flat tire is definitely a possibility within about 1.5 miles of the trailhead if one travels too quickly. There are many campgrounds although the road, and all had ample availability, including one at the trailhead itself. This trailhead serves other trails (e.g. Spider Meadow) making it on the busier side (but not like Lake Ingalls busy).

The road to the trailhead is a worthwhile trip in and of itself with resplendent fall color the whole way. You know you are in for a treat when you can see bright larches high on the surrounding ridges and glacier-scraped basins 4000 feet up *from the parking lot*. I was excited!!

The trail begins with switchbacks through open forest with a dense understory of red, orange and yellow bushes and peek-a-boo views west of the Glacier Peak Wilderness mountains. Soon you enter an open talus slope and larches start appearing over the ridge above. Once you hear water and encounter some aspens, you are near a crest where you will round a corner and enter a small basin (below Carne peak) enveloped with larches and accented by a small meandering stream. The trail keeps getting better and better! This is a good camping spot - I should have thought about this!

One leaves the basin and climbs through a dense larch forest, until you reach another smaller basin with spectacular mountain views across the valley, just before the first trail junction. The trail to Carne saddle, and peak, is to the left. You keep climbing through dense larches, and at this point the sun started to come out more earnestly, casting the trail is a yellow and orange glow. Just past the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary sign, one reaches the Carne saddle with open views to the east and north, and ridges adorned with striking larches as far as one can see. Left is the final ascent up to Carne peak, which despite some trail descriptions, offers even better 360 degree views (you will be tempted to stop many places on this trail thinking it cannot get better... but it does!).

The top is breathtaking. I cannot do it justice in words. Stunning views in all directions including Mt Stuart, Rainier, Glacier Peak (the heavily glaciated east side), Lyman glacier, and the trail up from Carne basin to the summit. Many fringed with striking yellow larch meadows. I have attempted to capture in the attached video.

This is listed as a "difficult" trail. The vertical is substantial, but the trail is never that steep or unwieldy (like say, Bandera). Of course, constantly stopping to take pictures gave me plenty of the time to rest! There are numerous blowdowns over the trail. Recent work has cut them on the first 1-1/2 miles of trail (THANK YOU to trail workers), while there are maybe ~8 more blowdowns you will need to scramble over after that on your way to the basin below Carne mountain. None are difficult, although it is easy to catch your knee cap on a branch stub (from experience), but all had branches removed to create a clear spot to maneuver over the log. I also marked the trail as "overgrown in places". The trail is well-marked and always obvious. This is just a recognition that if the colorful understory bushes are wet, your legs will get wet in places (mainly at lower elevations).

This is a FANTASTIC hike. We saw very few people. My guess is that most of the cars were up Spider way or deeper in the backcountry. Note that this is bat country and they were quite aggressive swooping at car lights... not sure I would want to come down this trail in the pitch dark with a headlamp (getting touched by a bat being something you do not want to mess around with). Saw pika and other rodents, but no bears this trip (although they have been reported).

NOTE: Video is published "unlisted" in YouTube to restrict access to this trail report.