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vancouver, BC
Canada
35 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 9:14 PM
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My fiance and I went for our annual multiday backpacking trip last week. This time we chose the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area about 2 hours east of Seattle (past Stevens Pass). We had a fantastic time with lots of sunshine and high temperatures (in fact maybe a little bit too high!).
We started at the Hatchery creek trailhead. The trail is in very good shape and we gained 1300 meters of elevation in 10.5 kms. The first part is in the forest but eventually you reach a beautiful meadow with your first views of the surrounding mountains. Our destination was lake Augusta on the Icicle creek trail. It's a beautiful lake with plenty of space to camp. Most people were camping at the east part of the lake but we opted to go to the west side to have a little bit of privacy.
The second day, our goal was upper Florence lake. It was a 13kms hike with a lot of elevation gain. Because of the very hot temperature our pace was a lot slower than usual and it took us 6 hours to get there. Before reaching our destination we passed lake Edna, a very pretty alpine lake.
Then we went up to Ladies pass where the views were spectacular. 
We finally reached upper Florence lake and to our great surprise we had the whole lake to ourselves. Upper Florence lake is simply beautiful. The water is so clear that you can see the fish swimming in it!
The next day we went for a dayhike by Mary's pass and Frosty pass. At Mary's pass the views are very nice and you can see Mount Baker, Glacier peak and Mount Rainier.
Back at the camp we saw that we would still by alone for the night. It is a beautiful Saturday where is everybody? On Sunday we packed out and went back to Ladies pass to reach the Chiwaukum creek trail. The trail goes trough beautiful meadows but is very brushy at certain points. We turned east on the Painter creek trail and where we started suffering. The trail is very brushy and steep and sometimes difficult to follow. We went up 500 meters in 2.5kms. In the extreme heat I thought I wouldn't make it but I did. We camped at the junction with the Badlands trail. A pretty campsite once again all to ourselves. Monday morning we woke up with suspicious clouds in the sky. Good thing we were going home that day. A combination of lighter backpack, cooler temperature, the desire to eat a burger made us hike the 13kms back to the car in 3 hours.
Overall we had a great trip. We saw about 20 people in 5 days including a 48 hour part completely alone. I know there are some areas in the alpine lakes where it is very crowded but if you are looking for solitude this is the place to go. The main company we had was the millions of black, horse and deer flies! Still, I recommend it to everyone. |
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Langley, BC
Canada
1692 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 9:19 PM
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very nice!
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Chaos, Panic & Disorder----my work here is done. |
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 Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5466 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 01:04 AM
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| Beautiful!! I must add this to my list of places to go!! |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 06:44 AM
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Nice! Thanks for the T/R on this beautiful area  |
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Moxie scambler of pinnacles, tireless leader haunting the CDN/US border climbing everything in sight
Burnaby, BC
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 08:48 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wilderness_seeker
Beautiful!! I must add this to my list of places to go!!
Spidergirl is organizing a trip to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness later this month and has secured the requisite passes. I think she still has room on the trip.
PB |
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Grouse Grinding, GPS carrying, lawn chair packing, bike riding North Shore tech addict who stares at Crown Mountain from his office window all day
North Vancouver
Canada
1905 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 09:04 AM
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| Great lake pics! Thanks for the report! |
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323 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 11:49 AM
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Thank you, suzie00.
I had already had my eye on this one, but now your pictures have really inspired me. Beautiful!
GH |
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White Rock, BC
Canada
52 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2005 : 2:05 PM
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| Thanks for the report - great picture of the fish! |
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backpacking trip in the alpine lakes wilderness
