[Tangeman]

Probably the only justification I have for going to one of the most popular places in all of the Cascades on Labor Day is that is happens to be one of my favorite places of all time and I haven't been there for a couple years. I also figured that by dayhiking Spider Gap, I would be able to possibly avoid some of the crowds (compared to if I camped), and also get a nice, healthy 17 miles in. Technically, I had never been to Spider Gap before...but I have been within a hundred yards of it. The last time I was there, in 2010, we had to turn back because a kid I was with began to have asthma issues, and his inhaler was back at Larch Knob. That was definitely a bit of a scary experience. This trip was my third time to the area, and I continue to love it more and more. It always seems like to me it has the perfect balance between E-Wa dry-bones ponderosa forest and the lush forest and meadows and glaciers of Western Washington. There were a solid 50+ cars in the parking lot. That briefly made me reconsider coming here on Labor Day, but the meadow soon reminded me why we chose to go here.

Though the flowers were past there prime, there were still some yarrow and paintbrush out in force. They weren't the only thing out in force though...backpackers occupied every site! I got all sentimental for a bit, remembering cold mornings sitting up on a boulder, watching deer, bear, and marmots patrol the area as the sun came up. We made great time to and through the meadows, and then got down to business trudging up the dusty, loose, rocky, narrow trail up to Larch Knob.

Once we were there, we hiked the Spider Glacier (or whats left of it) up to Spider Gap.

Spider Glacier

Final stretch to Spider Gap.

The views from the gap are absolutely spectacular, as was the drop in temperature. We were in balmy 70 degree sunshine down lower, but up here temperatures were somewhere in the low 30s or even upper 20s...we didn't have a thermometer, but snow patches at the gap had no runoff and weren't melting whatsoever, so it had to be below freezing. No matter what, it was cold.

Lyman Lakes

After eating lunch crammed behind rocks with our feet falling asleep, we headed down the glacier (whos glissading qualities I was disappointed in) and then went on cruise control from there all the way back to the trailhead. 17 miles, 3600 feet, 7 1/2 hours

[touron]

[Samsquanch]

Did you need crampons or micro-spikes on the snow or was it pretty soft?

[ajax]

The wonderful thing about this hike is that, if you just push on to Larch Knob you can find a bit more solitude (and camp spots) even when the meadow is filled. And wonderful views.

[tigermn]

I'll have to add this one to my day hiking list!

[bugphobic]

Thanks for the report, perfect timing! I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing , day hike up to the gap (never been past the meadows). I'll be going this weekend or next, if anyone wants to tag along?

[Tangeman]

Thanks everyone!

[Gil]

Nice!!! That panorama is so pretty.

[HitTheTrail]

Yeah, one of my favorite areas also. I think a lot of folks that left those cars at the TH made the loop out through Buck Ck. I met them all coming down the trail as I went up on Monday.

[reststep]