[Putty]

I've done quite a few hikes in the Alpine Lakes area, now I'd like to branch out to the Glacier Peak area too. Can you recommend 3 good hikes that would introduce me to the area? From reading, I'm thinking Pilchuck, Forgotten and Dickerman? I'd definitely like ot head to one of these this weekend...

[hopalong]

You should check out Pugh too.

[greg]

Pilchuck, Forgotten and Dickerman really aren't in the Glacier Peak area. In the GP Wilderness proper, I'd recommend Suiattle River to Image Lake, Spider Gap to Holden and maybe Napeequa Valley. Not this weekend, but when the snow is gone. Those three will put you into the soul of the Glacier Peak country.

[Quark]

Any trail that leads to the PCT is pretty much one that will give you killer views of Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak WIlderness is big. It's my favorite Wilderness area. Lots of variety, too. From the Entiat River area to Suiattle River and Mtn Loop to White River (wenatchee). Here's a list of my favorites. The 3 I'd recommend for immediate introduction are Cady Ridge, Estes Butte, Milk Creek. It won't be long before you discover the other ones anyway. Cady Ridge trail to the PCT, 14 very worth miles round trip. Steep in places, but it has been recently re-built, and not a pain in the butt. Little Wenatchee trail to Meander Meadows and Kodak Peak, 16ish miles RT (in order to see Glacier Peak). The Little Wenatchee River trail is lousy, but it's only 7 miles of flat lousy. Go early in the morning to avoid the hot, dusty switchbacks near the Meadows. Milk Creek, if you can get to the trailhead (road/bridge washout). Good dayhike, among the best old growth forest in the state, in my snobby opinion. View of Glacier Peak at the large meadows, the typical dayhike turnaround point. If you approach the meadows very quiety, it's very likely you'll see bear in the meadow. Sauk Rv to Red/White Pass at the PCT. Wander a little bit north on the PCT to see the White Chuck Cinder Cone to the left, and to the right, a set of waterfalls on Glacier Peak that will knock your socks off! Sauk is an excellent trail, but it's a multitude of switchbacks. You'll be glad you did it. Go early to avoid the heat. Another angle on Glacier Peak Wilderness is the Entiat River area. Entiat River Trail to Larch Lakes, Pomas Pass. River trail is hot, dusty, a motorcycle trail, but its only about 5ish miles to the Wilderness boundary. You have to get to Pomas Pass to see big mountains, but Larch Lakes are gorgeous. Go around the Lakes to the other set of Lakes (check the map, you'll see). Great swimming in the other set of Lakes, deep, deep for swimming. perfect rock outcroppings for a sun-perch. Estes Butte near Lake Wenatchee. Easy trail, but steep as hell. Excellent views (I did a trip report on this site, check it out).

[David¹]

By 'intro' do you mean easy day hikes? Most of the best stuff like Image Lake & Spider Gap are a little more difficult. Green Mountain would be my first suggestion and that should be doable in June. Hopefully they will fix White Chuck road this year which opens up a lot of possibilities on the east side.

[Quark]

Yeah, Green Mtn! HOw could I forget? I've worked on that trail so many time, that I never think of it as a hiking trail. Wow, the flowers on that mountain.

[jenjen]

For dayhikes; Green Mountain - Acres and acres of wildflowers. I'm told the lookout gives you amazing views, but it's always been fogged in when I've gotten to the top. (that's actually true of every lookout I've ever been to. Start out on a gorgeous day, and it's sleeting when I get to the lookout) Little Giant Pass - off of the Chiwawa river road. The Napeequa valley will absolutely knock your socks off. It truly is a gem. The trail itself is really eroding in spots but it's totally doable. Do this one in August or September so fording the Chiwawa river isn't quite so hairy. Buck Creek Pass (High Pass if you're really motivated) - again, there's some real elevation gain to get here. But oh it's so worth it! The black flies lurking in the lower forest will give you all the motivation you need to keep those feet moving. The views here are truly stupendous - mile upon mile of lonely wilderness with no building, car, or person in sight. The thing I love about Glacier Peak Wilderness is that it isn't really easy and accessible. You have to work for the truly prime views, and that makes it feel really wild and lonely. For backpacking; Dishpan Gap makes a great base for further wandering and exploration. The gap itself is beautiful, with some of the most comfortable campsites I've ever found. You have to hunt for water, tho. Get to Dishpan Gap via Pilot Ridge or Cady Ridge. Once you're on the PCT the hiking is easy. Loop from Spider Gap to Cloudy Pass to Buck Creek pass. If you're confident in your navigation skills the route from High Pass to the Napeequa valley is fairly straightforward. From the Napeequa you can come out Little Giant Pass and hitchhike back to your car at the Phelps Creek trailhead.

[frankm3]

[Quark]

[Newt]

[Quark]

[Newt]

Thanks for the clarification Quark. In my old age I have mistakingly equated steep with hard. Or at least harder. Your descriptions of steep and hard should make many of my treks much easier mentally. I will now add a baggie and a bottle of Tequila to my pack. Very good indicators. Newt

[wildernessed]

1. Glacier Peak 2. Pyramid Mountain 3. Mount David Short strolls to Alpine retreats. . NOT, just bored ! wildernessed

[Backpacker Joe]

[Quark]

bpj, as you may recall, I like hiking in what others consider crappy weather. the weather was forecasted to be bad that wkend, but the morning drive to the TH was clear. I'm too dumb to come in out of the rain, and poor frank had no choice - I had the keys to the rig. Now that he knows I'm too dumb to come in out of the rain, he may double-think before saying he'll join me on trips, especially to that area, where it's more likely than anywhere else in the state - including the rainforest - to be raining. Too dumb to come in out of the rain.....I loose more hiking partners that way.....