[Andosan]

Hi, I'm looking for ideas for a 4-5 day trip in either Alpine Lakes or Glacier Peak Wilderness areas. I was initially planing on the Ptarmigan Traverse but one member who is coming doesn't want to do that much alpine terrain so I'm looking at other ideas. I'm trying to create a plan memorable enough to convince my Montana friends to leave their endless options in their home state and come out west! Level wise, we did the Bailey Traverse w/ Mt. Olympus last summer which was definitely grueling at times but unforgettable trip. Loved the variation in terrain and views were incredible. Thought I'd try to make a route with one day off to bag a peak and relax a little more. Buck Creek Spider gap loop looks really beautiful but seems a bit too easy esp w/ 4-5 days? So I was looking at combining that loop with part of the Little Giant Spider loop. Basically at Buck Creek Pass you would head towards High Pass and continue into the Napeequa valley. And then maybe hit Napeequa peak and Buck Peak on the way. Something like this https://caltopo.com/m/B9UCF# D#1 to Lyman Lakes D#2 Lyman to Buck Creek Camp D#3 Buck Creek to Louis Creek (hit Napeequa peak on the way?) D#4 Day Offish, climb Buck Peak, hang out D#5 Louis Creek out Would it be better to just do the regular Little Giant Spider Loop? Any thoughts or recommendations on alt 4-5 day trip ideas? I've been trying to figure out a loop in the Alpine Lakes area but most seem too short or are traverses with car shuttles - not out of question. Any recs on a loop that incorporates Mt. Daniel perhaps? Thanks!

[idoru]

[Andosan]

I was actually looking at the same idea for Alpine Lakes, Foss Lakes over to Hinman Glacier, hit Mt. Daniel from the north via Lynch Glacier, cont towards Cathedral rock and loop back to the start on the Deception Creek trail, or double back on the Mt Daniel trail towards Marmot Lake and loop around back from there. This is what I came up with for the Hinman to Mt Daniel section based on Kyle's route here https://climberkyle.com/2019/06/30/the-alpine-lakes-crest-traverse/ https://caltopo.com/m/U1TVV Seems like a nice 5 day trip with variety of terrain, snow fields and nice summit of Hinman/ Daniel

[Scramblin Rover]

It'll be interesting to see what trips others suggest, but I think your Spider Gap/Napeequa idea is good. If you do that, definitely go to the Napeequa - it's gorgeous! Image Lake is also a good side trip.