[naturealbeing]

I blew the engine on my Toyota Camry Wagon at Blewett Pass on Sunday and needed to go over and retrieve some items from it in Leavenworth. I thought while I was over there, that I might as well do a trip. Well...the weather was hot hot hot and I was thinking more of what I wanted to do, to get out of the heat and do something fun, than to hike and boil. That's when I thought of Surprise and Glacier Lakes, I'd never done this trail before and it seemed like a good one for a quick trip. I left the 1st. parking area at 12:09 and was surprised to find the TH about an 1/8 of a mile further and with plenty of space to park. Too late now, anyways I thought that I could get to Surprise Lake (SL) in about an hour and preceded on. The travel was nicely shaded in the forest and was a welcomed retreat from the sun. I passed quite a few people with over night gear and was thankful for not having to carry their load. After chatting with many people on the trail and taking some pictures along the way, I arrived at SL in an hour and forty five minutes. I took a small break for some food and pics before I skirted the lake on the E side and made my way toward Glacier Lake (GL). Instead of heading back and catching the main trail, I just scrambled the boulders and then headed up some duff covered slabs and through some bush along the E side of the outlet from GL. Once at the lake I went around to the E side and looked up at the E slope of Spark Plug and began checking for a route that might take me up to the summit. At this time I was just thinking it was nice being up here taking in the beautiful scenery, going up SP was just a second thought. Anyways, I wasn't seeing enough of what I wanted, so I decided to head up to the main trail to see if I could get a cleaner line on an route that I was looking at. Once on the trail I just kept getting pulled along and before I knew it I was at the basin just below Surprise Gap. Now I thought that I would head into the basin and find a sweet spot to eat and take in the scenery. Upon doing so I noticed a person up at the gap and thought, that's not that far and from there it's just a hop skip and a jump to Surprise Mtn., so up I went. At the gap I was surprised to find a spur trail that took me to the summit of Surprise Mtn. It was now 4:30 and I hung out for a half hour walking the ridge and taking some pictures from a couple of high points. The views to the E were blocked by the ridge that runs from Thunder Mtn. to Pt. 6594. Occasionally you could see through some gaps. The views to the S - NW were blocked with sparse trees and brush, Plus the sun was working against me to get any good pictures. I left the summit at 5 pm and motored my way back to the TH by 7:30. The section of trail between the TH and SL seemed to go on forever, it didn't seem that I was making any progress, even tho it only took an hour and a half. A cousin of mine did this trip in the 90's and I always wanted to get in there sense. It was quite a surprise to get in there unexpectedly and see what I had been missing all of these years. Well worth the effort. I think Spark Plug and Pt. 6594 would offer up better 360 degree views, instead of Surprise. Just MHO. BTW, wildenessed's recent report on Surprise, Glacier Lakes, and Spark Plug Mtn. 8/2 is well worth a look and see for more pics and a good read.

Thunder Mtn. as seen from the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

View E, as seen from the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Stuart, Swallow Tail, and Surprise Mtn. as seen just NW of Surprise Mtn's. summit, 8.14.07.

Pt. 6594, as seen just NW of Surprise Mtn's. summit, 8.14.07.

Glacier Peak, as seen from the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Glacier Lake, as seen just NW of Surprise Mtn's. summit, 8.14.07.

Glacier & Surprise Lakes, as seen just NW of Surprise Mtn's. summit, 8.14.07.

Pt. 6594, as seen just NW of Surprise Mtn's. summit, 8.14.07.

Surprise Gap Trail Below Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Mac Peak, as seen from the S slopes of Surprise Mtn.

Glacier Peak, as seen from Surprise Gap 8.14.07.

Thunder Mtn., as seen from basin below Surprise Gap 8.14.07.

Surprise Gap, as seen on trail heading S 8.14.07.

[wildernessed]

Sweet spot, The area is gorgeous. Did you like the stinky horse along the trail ?

[Foist]

Thanks, I love that hike. But where's a shot of Daniel/Hinman?

[wildernessed]

[naturealbeing]

wildernessed, Stinky horse bad, thanks for the reminder. Ha Ha Ha! Foist, These are for you. Cheers!

Mt. Daniel, as seen from near the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Mt. Daniel, as seen from near the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Mt. Daniel, as seen from near the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

Hinman, as seen from near the summit of Surprise Mtn. 8.14.07.

[Foist]

Yay! Thanks! Those 2 mountains make a swell pair.