Glacier Peak Wilderness, North Cascades is one of the more remote corners of the lower 48. There are no roads into the wilderness, only foot trails. The entire North-west quadrant of the wilderness has only 2 very short trails.

The Pacific Crest Trail makes its way through, skirting the west side of Glacier Peak.

Roads leading to trailheads that do exist today were all originally built to service mines. There are still today many active mining claims in the North Cascades.

Not long ago I made a trip to visit Upper Lyman Lake. The trip is not long, I planned two days to get there, and a few day there to lay around, and then back.

Starting out by hiking through Spider Meadows is not too bad. There are some flowers, and generally not bad views.

At the head of the valley the trail climbs up to Spider Gap. Here you can ascend a rather easy snow field and then glissade down to Upper Lyman Lake.

The valley spreads out before you as the descent takes you to a wonderful series of meadows and knolls with fantastic views, lots of water and very few people.

Glacier Peak Wilderness, North Cascades

Chiwawa Mountain flanks the north side of Spider Gap, its huge glacier hanging high above while its tip breaks apart in chilly and green Upper Lyman Lake.

From Upper Lyman Lake the trail climbs a short distance and crests a knoll affording wonderful views of Bonanza Peak on the right and Lyman Lake to the left. From here you can head west to Holden and Lake Chelan or connect to a network of trails.

My Grand Plan was to camp in the upper basin and roam about for a few days, luxuriating in the remoteness and scenery.

However all great plans have “negatives” and in this case that meant hordes of mosquitoes. Our only chance at sanity involved hurriedly pitching the tent and getting in, fast. Sweaty, hungry, miserable and tired we contemplated our fate.

It was not pretty.

The decision was to stay in the tent until just before sunrise at which time we would bolt, head back the way we came and escape with little dignity but at least no one got hurt…

Our camp that next night was on the ridge overlooking Spider Meadows here at sunset and then star light…and no bugs!

A short but scenic trip.

If you’d like to learn more about a North Cascades Photo Tour, here is the link with all the details.