We explored a hike/run trip from Chatter Creek TH to Icicle Creek TH to find larch.  We had a car drop and covered 20 miles with 5200 feet elevation gain with a peak elevation at 7000 feet.  The outing was spectacular with larch in full glory in the 5000 to 7000 feet terrain.  A snow dump occurred a week before, so we were not sure whether the route would be passable for running gear.  We encountered around 6-12 inches of snow for many miles from the pass near Grindstone Mt to a little beyond Mary's Pass.  Some of the wind-blown drifts were a few feet in depth.  All of it was passable in running shoes with good traction in the snow which had not had any consolidation or freeze-thaw cycles.  We all used poles and some used microspikes.  This loop will probably be closed for the season to runners with the next snow dump.  On the return to Icicle Creek TH, there are 2 bridges that are out at Icicle Creek (easy to cross on broken bridge) and French Creek (passable without much difficulty below old bridge along the rocks in the river).  Overall, an amazing end of season larch run in the high alpine terrain.

Hiked the Ladies Pass Loop starting from the Chatter Creek trailhead. This is an excellent option for those seeking less crowded high alpine terrain.

Day 1 - Chatter Creek TH to Upper Florence Lake

Chatter creek trail is in good condition. There is a reliable source of water at 2 miles in. Noticed several larches in the mile leading up to the junction with the Icicle Ridge trail. This would be a good fall hike! It looked like there were some nice campsites at Lake Edna but we decided to push on a bit further, which paid off because we were the only ones camping for the night at Upper Florence Lake.  

Day 2 - Upper Florence Lake to Lake Mary + out and back trip to Doelle Lake

The stretch between Mary's pass and Lake Mary was the highlight of this trip. Great views of the surrounding mountains and the blueberries were ripe and delicious as well. There is a spectacular campsite up the hill on the south side of Lake Mary. Portions of the trail between Frosty Pass and Lake Doelle were slightly bushy/overgrown but the trail was otherwise in good shape. Doelle lake is a nice spot for a swim. 

Day 3 - Lake Mary to Chatter Creek TH via Icicle Creek and Icicle Gorge Trail

The trail from Lake Mary to Icicle Creek descends more gradually than the Chatter Creek trail. Other than some bushy sections just south of Lake Margaret, the trail is clear and easy travel. As noted on the trail description, the two bridges along the icicle creek trail are broken. The bridge at icicle creek was crossable despite being broken.  

Eventful 2-night trip on Ladies Loop. We started from Chatter Creek trailhead on a hot early afternoon. We took every opportunity to dunk ourselves in water, including in Icicle Creek across from the trailhead, and at the campsites 2 miles in. The trail is relentlessly steep after the first mile, and covered with encroaching brush in some sections. After 3 miles, we left the tree cover and hiked in the shade of Grindstone Mountain ahead of us since the sun had dipped below it (one advantage of the later start). The berries kept us going and we eventually reached the pass. We dropped into the meadows and it was one more push to Lake Edna.

After a dip in the lake, we found a campsite southeast of the lake with nice sunset views. There were a few small trees acting as a windbreak. Turned out this was not nearly enough as the winds picked up into the night. My Nemo Dragonfly tent couldn’t withstand the wind and after a few hours a tent pole snapped. Other campers had set up north of the lake in a more protected area and looked to have fared fine. A lesson in campsite selection!

Despite the rough night, we woke up to a beautiful day and continued on to Ladies Pass. Here the views really opened up to the surrounding peaks including Mt Daniel. A couple ladies coming up from Lake Flore said it had been a very windy night there as well. We crossed more green meadows before the next pass above Lake Florence. The wind was starting to pick up again so we carried on to Mary’s Pass. The descent from here to Lake Mary was my favorite part of the trail. Pasqueflower mopheads filled the meadows and countless peaks appeared in the distance.

At Lake Mary, we considered camping but worried about more strong winds and decided to press on. We descended to Frosty Pass (no views) and Lake Margaret before taking a much needed nap on a perfectly flat rock next to the trail. The descent continued through forest and some more brushy overgrowth. Fortunately there were many ripe thimbleberries. Some smoke started rolling in, which turned out to come all the way from the Bear Gulch fire in the Olympics. We made it to the Icicle Creek crossing and decided to camp there. With no wind in the valley and trees, and no rain in the forecast, we cowboy camped peacefully.

The morning brought clear skies and a cooler day. The bridge across Icicle Creek is compromised but crossable. We enjoyed the gentle trail back, stopping often for huckleberries. At French Creek, the bridge is not crossable so we walked over to the stock ford to cross. We quickly reached Icicle Creek trailhead and took the dusty Jackpine trail to Jack Trout trailhead. We dropped our bags there, tired from the long days, and sent one person along Icicle Gorge trail to retrieve the car. We took one last dip in the creek at Rock Island campground. Lots of lessons learned but always good to be out in the backcountry.

Starting from the Icicle Gorge TH we looped Icicle Creek , Chain Lakes , Icicle Ridge and Chatter Creek Trails. No snow. Few bugs. Amazing views and lakes.

Day 1 – Icicle Gorge to French Creek Junction
From the Icicle Gorge TH we wound through towering western red cedars and shady forest, with gentle grades. The junction with the French Creek Trail offered inviting campsites, a privy, and a broken bridge that required a ford. Our camp at the Frosty - Wildhorse junction was flat, spacious, with good water access. Huckleberries lined much of the trail.

Day 2 – French Creek to Doelle Lakes
Crossed Icicle Creek by fording rather than risking the broken bridge, then climbed steeply through forest and brush thick with thimbleberry and devil’s club. The ascent gained about 2,000 feet in under two miles—tough but broken up by occasional gentler stretches. The Chain Lakes were rewarding stops: quiet, scenic, and set in rugged terrain. From there, the trail climbed over a pass with sweeping views of Glacier Peak and Mount Baker before dropping steeply toward Doelle Lakes. Campsites were limited, but a small spot at Lower Doelle Lake provided a good stop, with granite walls and plenty of huckleberries nearby.

Day 3 – Doelle Lakes to Upper Florence Lake
The route dropped through forest and meadows where wildflowers were mostly past peak, then climbed to a ridge with excellent views back toward Bulls Tooth. Frosty Pass itself lacked views, but the approach was scenic. A side trip to Lake Mary revealed alpine meadows and jagged ridges reminiscent of the Goat Rocks, with marmots calling from the rocks. From Mary’s Pass, the trail traversed toward Mary’s Peak, then descended to Upper Florence Lake. Smoke began drifting in during the evening, and strong winds made for a cold night.

Day 4 – Upper Florence Lake to Icicle Gorge via Ladies Pass and Chatter Creek
In calm morning air, the trail climbed above Upper Florence Lake with expansive views, then traversed around a cirque to Ladies Pass. A steep push led toward Cape Horn before dropping to Lake Edna, where even the backcountry toilet had a sweeping vista. From there, the trail traversed Icicle Ridge—characterized by white rock formations, big climbs and drops, and constant views. The descent toward Chatter Creek was steep but beautiful, transitioning into ponderosa pine forest near the road. The trip ended with a fast finish down the open forest to the trailhead.

Hiked Ladies Loop counterclockwise, parking at Rock Island and camping at Upper Florence Lake.

Road was fine in a sedan - some potholes you can avoid.

Lots of wildflowers still and many blueberries and thimbleberries!

Chatter Creek trail was shaded most of the way, which was nice for the warm day and long climb. Lovely spot for water where the trail crosses Chatter Creek. Great snack spot with a view near the top of the first pass! The end of it between that pass and the first junction felt longer than expected, but from that junction to Ladies Pass felt shorter.

Lake Edna looked nice for camping (more than 200 ft from the lake itself), but we camped at Upper Florence which was beautiful! There were a handful of good spots, and the lake was perfect for a dip after the warm day.

Icicle Ridge trail had some brushy sections on the way down, but nothing terrbile. Doughgod Creek crossing was a lovely lunch spot! We took Jack Pine Trail instead of Icicle Creek Road, which was nice, but did add a little distance. The bridge crossing Icicle Creek is down but you can just walk on it without problem. The bridge crossing French Creek also has skeletal remains but looked like the other side could be tricky, so we forded just down to the right of it. Came to mid-thigh for my 5'5" self but the water wasn't too fast. Day 2 ended up clocking in about 4 miles longer than expected.

We did take a tiny Chatter Creek Campground detour on Day 1 and a tiny FR615 detour on Day 2, but they shouldn't have amounted for much difference (originally 22.31 miles for the full loop on CalTopo, with road instead of Jack Pine). Actual totals:

Day 1: 10.96 miles/5348 ft gain

Day 2: 15.92 miles/1047 gain