SPIDER GAP
An absolutely stunning hike through a beautiful meadow and up a permanent snowfield to a mountain pass that overlooks dramatic alpine lakes. This spot is extremely popular for backpacking, so try to visit on a weekday if you can. This is challenging for a day hike, but it is one of the most beautiful places I have been in Washington and absolutely worth the effort!
Quick Facts:
Distance: 15 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3500 feet
Location: Phelps Creek Trailhead, Glacier Peak Wilderness, Wenatchee National Forest
Season: Mid-Summer thru Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: None
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: This hike takes you up a moderately steep permanent snowfield. You should definitely be comfortable going up and down snowy slopes, and although this is quite easy in good summer weather with just a set of hiking poles since the snow softens up a lot, it could be treacherous in bad weather if the snow ices over. Make sure you have a good weather window to get up and down it!
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions linked above are accurate for getting to this trailhead. Note that the forest roads you’re on for the last 20 miles get progressively rougher the further you drive, with the final 3 miles to the trailhead being pretty atrocious. You’ll have to drive through deeply rutted and sandy stretches as well as navigate over large, sharp rocks. I definitely wouldn’t attempt this in anything less than a compact SUV, and would recommend having AWD or 4WD.
View of Spider Meadow from above, August 2020
Heading down the Spider snowfield, August 2020
Hike description:
Although the views from the trailhead for this hike are pretty nice, the views from the trail itself start off pretty boring. For the first 5 miles you will hike a nearly flat trail through the forest that gently gains only 1300 feet and crosses several streams along the way. When we did this hike in August the streams were easy to cross by hopping on rocks, but earlier in the season they may run higher and require getting your feet wet. At about 3.2 miles from the trailhead you will reach a junction with the Leroy Basin trail. This area was a little confusing, as the original spot the trail crosses Leroy Creek right before the intersection had been washed away, and now you have to pick your own way across just upstream of the washout. When you cross Leroy Creek look for a big cairn, and head towards it to cross Phelps Creek, where you’ll pick up the Phelps Creek trail again. There is a sign at this intersection, but since the original trail is washed out it’s not super helpful until you’re already on the right trail.
After you hike for another 2 slightly uphill miles you’ll suddenly emerge into Spider Meadows. The views here are fantastic! If you time your trip right the meadows will be full of blooming wildflowers, and regardless of season the mountains surround you in almost every direction. You’ll hike to the far end of this valley, and along the way get to really take in the sights and enjoy picturesque Phelps Creek that winds through the middle of it.
Hiking up the Spider snowfield, August 2020
Wildflowers just below Spider snowfields, August 2020
As you reach the end of the valley at around 6 miles, the trail will begin to climb steeply. At around 6.2 miles you’ll reach a signed intersection and will take the left trail for Spider Gap. You’ll gain 1200 feet in the next mile, but the views along the way are a great distraction! If you missed peak wildflowers in the valley below, it’s likely that the ones up here will still be blooming. Before long, you’ll be able to look down and get a new, wonderful perspective on Spider Valley – Phelps Creek will look like just a trickle with a faint path beside it, and you can really appreciate the sweeping, green floor of the valley that gracefully transitions into the steep rocky faces of the surrounding peaks.
At around 7 miles you’ll reach the basin at the bottom of Spider snowfield. This is a beautiful area that merits a few minutes of exploration, and there’s a pit toilet here (look for a sign next to the trail) with some really incredible views! After you’re done enjoying this area, hike over to the base of the snowfield and head up! When we were here we stayed towards the right hand side of the snowfield as there was some recent rockfall on the left, and make sure to avoid any areas that are melting out around rocks or boulders as the snow may be thinner in these areas and your foot could punch through. And of course don’t forget to wear sunscreen, especially in places that will get a lot of the sun reflected back up from the snow, like the undersides of your nose and chin!
Near the top of Spider snowfield, August 2020
In the basin below Spider snowfield, August 2020
Although it takes some effort to walk up the snowfield as you gain 800 feet in the next half mile, I found this part of the hike to be so fun! You really feel like you’re in the alpine here and the scenery in every direction is absolutely incredible, plus walking on snow is a fun departure from normal hiking trails. Eventually you’ll end up in a small bowl beneath Spider Gap. We followed some footprints to head up the right side of the snowfield and then scrambled up really steep, loose rock to reach the actual trail that took us to the gap, but the scrambling felt really sketchy, so I would recommend just taking the snowfield all the way up.
Once you’re at Spider Gap the views are truly amazing! Peaking over the gap to the northwest you get amazing views of the bright blue Lyman Lakes down below, surrounded by snow capped mountains. This view is one of my favorites I’ve had on any hike, and I almost felt like I was in Alaska rather than Washington because the terrain looked so dramatic! The views behind you are incredible as well, and you can really appreciate how much work you put in to climb the snowfield to get to where you are! There are lots of good places to settle in on a rock up here for lunch and enjoy the views before you start back down. Take your time on the snowfield on the way down as this is for sure the trickiest part, and be sure to enjoy the views on the way down as well!