Forum Index > Trip Reports > Waptus and Spade Lakes 8/16-8/18/2017
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DIYSteve
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DIYSteve
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PostSat Aug 26, 2017 8:24 am 
HermitThrush wrote:
What I really want to do is that high circle route. But to do that I need more alpine ability.
Which high circle route? Mt. Daniel circumnav? Or Peggy's>Circle>Venus>Spade?

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HermitThrush
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PostSat Aug 26, 2017 10:09 am 
Peggy's - Circle - Venus - Spade

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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostSat Aug 26, 2017 9:44 pm 
HermitThrush wrote:
Peggy's - Circle - Venus - Spade
That's a classic. You can definitely get yourself into terrain you really do not want to be on. Route finding is key. I've learned the hard way on that route, did some trial and error.

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DIYSteve
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DIYSteve
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PostSun Aug 27, 2017 8:16 am 
olderthanIusedtobe wrote:
Route finding is key.
And navigation -- route opportunities are obvious on the map. There's an established tread from Peggy's to Circle Lake. Circle to Venus is in the category of basic cross country alpine travel. But yeah, it would be a challenge for a trail hiker. Pack an ice axe and wear proper boots.

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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostSun Aug 27, 2017 8:25 am 
Well, maps don't tell you that the rock is looser and sketchier in some places than others on the shoulder of The Citadel. Only way to find that out is being there.

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robertjoy
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PostMon Aug 28, 2017 9:33 am 
For GAIA users: I just checked my GAIA app. Trail to Spade Lake IS shown, just not on the USGS Topo map. GAIA show 6 optional map selections. I commonly use OpenHikingMap HD. It tends to show lesser trails (and note that these may not display except at closer zoom selections.).

Mosquitoes refuse to bite me, purely out of respect.
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NorDub
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PostMon Aug 28, 2017 6:06 pm 
In case you haven't seen the latest fire area, here is a pretty nifty map: https://kitcogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=0750e823f65d4df2b0bc04003e33dac6

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General ****
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PostWed Dec 27, 2017 6:37 pm 
A few years ago I spent 4 days and nights at Spade Lake and had it all to myself; never saw another soul. The color of the lake is a beautiful turquoise blue, and along its' shores the wildflowers mixed in among the Heather were photo opps waiting to happen... very unique and beautiful. The sound of the waterfalls were awhsome... I especially loved it while reading in my tent at night. The hike up to Venus was easy, I went up the right side of the outlet flow and traction was not an issue going up or down. Venus is actually pretty sparse, it's like a blown out volcano with half its' face blown off. It's basically all rock with very little vegetation, and the wind blows steadily; and was cold. When I woke up at Spade for my last day, I woke to snow; and that was in September. I have to say though, Spade is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness I have been to. It is a trip I plan on doing again someday. And before I forget, I really enjoyed your trip report and thank you for submitting it... your photos are awhsome!

The General primarily backpacks solo.
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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostWed Dec 27, 2017 11:50 pm 
General **** wrote:
Venus is actually pretty ugly, it's like a blown out volcano with half its' face blown off. It's basically all rock with very little vegetation, and the wind blows steadily; and was cold.
huh.gif Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. I can see describing Venus as stark or sparse, but it's beautiful none the less to me. As is Spade (and Circle, and a bunch of other lakes in the vicinity of Mt. Daniel, each in their own way).

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PostThu Dec 28, 2017 9:34 am 
olderthanIusedtobe, noted and corrected... thanks.

The General primarily backpacks solo.
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HermitThrush
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PostSun Dec 31, 2017 4:12 pm 
General **** wrote:
And before I forget, I really enjoyed your trip report and thank you for submitting it... your photos are awhsome!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the report. I'm moving to Minneapolis next week and am grateful for my experiences in the ALW this past summer. Waptus had one of the best stands of timber I've ever seen, and the next guy over was having a campfire during a burn ban at that time. Please don't! To this day I think that campsite was definitely in my top 2 or 3 campsites ever.

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HermitThrush
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PostSun Dec 31, 2017 4:13 pm 
olderthanIusedtobe wrote:
I can see describing Venus as stark or sparse, but it's beautiful none the less to me. As is Spade (and Circle, and a bunch of other lakes in the vicinity of Mt. Daniel, each in their own way).
I'll have to take your word for it - I didn't make it up to Venus. Next time!

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