We actually did this trip a week ago, but thought this was valid information. The trail to Leroy Basin in not on the Green Trail map, is not maintained, but is in very good shape. It leaves trail 1511 (to Spider Meadow) immediately after crossing Leroy Creek, heading steeply uphill. Leroy Basin is gorgeous with lots on nice campsites. We set up camp in a meadow. Trail #1512 heads south after Leroy Basin, and we have heard goes all the way to Carne Mt. We followed it to the saddle where you can turn East to get to Ice Lakes.The Ice Lake basin was mostly snow covered, so we plunge stepped down and explored the area. From the lakes we climbed toward the south shoulder of Mt. Maude on snow. Near the top of the ridge there were 3 large cornices. We followed boot tracks to the left side the middle cornice, where we gained the south shoulder of Maude at 8,000ft.(This section was steep-bring ice axe). From here it was as easy walk to the summit,complete with a faint boot tread. On the way down we decided to take the gully route back to trail #1512. We knew that the gully was west facing, and reached the south shoulder at about 8,000 ft. There was a large cairn at this point, so we headed west and started down the gully. It turned out that the gully we were in faced SW! It was definitely the wrong gully! With perserverance and luck we survived, but it was very dangerous. So if you decide to descend Maude via the gully, be sure you are in the right one! All in all, a beautiful trip!

Starting at the Spider Meadows-Lyman Lake-Carne Mountain trailhead off the Phelps Creek Road, hike 3.29 miles to the Leory Creek High Route, just on the other side of Leroy Creek. The elevation gain is relentless from beginning to end. First gaining 1912 feet in 1.2 miles, then gaining about 2000 more feet in 3 more miles. There are spectacular views of Glacier Peak once you reach the first knoll. You can also look up the valley and see Mt. Chiwawa and Spider Gap, which leads to Lyman Lakes. The first 3.2 miles up the Phelps Creek trail is an easy grade. A few paces into the hike there is a turn off to Carne Mountain, which is another route that you can take to get to Ice Lakes. Once you reach Leroy Creek, cross the logs and there is a split in the trail. To the left (downhill) continues on the Spider Meadows. The way that you will need to go is right, straight up the hill. You are soon rewarded for your first push by a spectacular waterfall. You follow this to its peak and then traverse into a thick forest. The shade is very nice, especially with all the elevation gain. Once you gain the 2000 feet, you come into a very nice basin at the base of Seven-Fingered Jack and Mount Maude. There are some very nice camping spots here and below in the meadow. The trail continues on to the right, going up and down some little hills and then opens up into a rock field. Previous hikers have put up trail markers (rock formations) throughout the field to help find the best way across. After crossing most of the rock field, there is a huge glacier-carved ditch that is a little tricky to cross, as it is full of loose gravel and unstable soil. After crossing, look for trail markers that are higher up on the hill, as they lead to the best trail possible through the tress and underbrush that follow. The trail then continues up to the top of a knoll (you can actually see the trail up to the knoll from the basin). When you reach the top you get a fabulous view of Glacier Peak, like you can reach out and touch it! There is also a great view of Spider Gap and down the Phelps Creek Valley and a little bit down the Chiwawa Valley. After enjoying the view, you will see a well-worn trail straight ahead. DO NOT take that trail unless you want to miss the lakes completely and end up on Carne Mountain (this is where you would end up if you took the Carne Mountain route). Turn left and go straight up the hill to another little knob. More great views here. Look to the left at Mount Maude. You can barely see the trail that you need to take over the shoulder of the mountain to Ice Lakes. You might see people coming through another gap on the right side of the mountain from the Entiat Valley/Entiat Meadows. The last scramble up the side of Mount Maude is a tricky one. A lot of loss rocks and unstable ground makes the going slow. Once you crest the shoulder, you are greeted with a view of the Upper Ice Lake. Follow the pumice and snowfields down about 500 feet to the lake. If you go to the end of the lake, there is a little trail down to the lower lake. And below that is a waterfall going down the Entiat Valley. There were few bugs and the temperature was right around 80 degrees. All in all, it was a nice trip. The total mileage into the upper lake is about 8 miles. It took about 5 hours to get in and about 3 hours out. The rock field really slowed the pace both ways. There were a few groups camped at the basin, but that was expected, especially for being the Labor Day weekend. The Forest Service has a sign on the Leroy Creek Trail that says ""Trail Not Maintained"" but the trail was in excellent shape. In fact we think that it is in better shape than a lot of ""Maintained"" trails.

Lower Ice Lake #1405 - The Glacier Peak Area We headed out for our Labor Day weekend backpack trip on Friday. The trailhead is at the end of Entiat River Road, 38 mi from Entiat on Rt 97, 1/4 mi past Cottonwood camp. Arriving at the trailhead at 5 pm, we hightailed it along the Entiat River Trail #1400 about 4-5 miles before pitching camp before sunset above the river near the crossroads for the Larch Lakes Trail. The Entiat River Trail is a dusty flat trail through the woods with some horse traffic – but it’s well worth the walk to reach the mountain meadows and the lake. The next day it was 3-4 more flat miles to the junction with the Ice Lakes trail. Then, you can cross the river on slippery logs or take the stock ford. We tried the first on the way out and the other on the way back -- and found the stock ford was a bit easier. Follow the creek trail signed for Ice Lakes, which gradually climbs into a valley of mixed meadow and forest overhung with mountain ridges and gushing waterfalls. The trail climbs moderately at first. The last mile is quite steep, weaving upward through talus, for a total of 13 miles from the parking lot to Lower Ice Lake. There were still flowers on the trail – paintbrush, gentian, fireweed and more – and weather conditions were warm, sunny and not too buggy. As the sun set and the stars appeared from our mountain perch, we enjoyed a fine view of Mars making its closest approach to earth in 60,000 years. The next day we hiked the 13 miles out. You could easily plan a longer hike, staying another night by taking the detour for Larch Lakes. However, I’ve heard these lakes are not as attractive as Ice Lake, unless of course the larches are turning.

Though this trail is ""unmaintained"" and not on most maps, it is in pretty good shape overall. Starting at Phelps Ck. TH, we headed up to Leroy Creek Basin and traversed over the 7,600 ft. saddle south of Mt. Maude. Two nights at Upper Ice Lakes and lots of exploring of the area was something I've wanted to do for a while. Mt. Maude is easily accesible as are great views from everywhere you go. Before we left, we tore down lots of wind breaks and fire pits (no fires permitted). The way out was a little tricky as one has to traverse some very steep scree down to a saddle which drops down to the trail. Several nice basins are crossed for about 4 miles until the trail practically goes over the top of Carne Mountain. Most of the hike stays well above 6ooo ft. this is a good trip for those who are comfortable with some steep slopes and routefinding. Solitude is almost guarnateed!

Left the mineral creek trail head at 630pm tuesday. I was slow going so it took me two hours fifteen. Nobody at Park lake. BUGS everywhere. As bad as I have ever seen. Wednesday I woke early and headed up to the crest. After turning left on the crest it was only 35 minutes or so before I say the climbers/fishermen trail turning right up the ridge. This trail takes you to Glacier lake. I made it to Glacier in an hour. At Glacier I watered up and headed up to Chickamin. The way to Chickamin is interesting for sure. I got there 1.5 hours later. At Chickamin I stayed and relaxed for a while. Not much snow anywhere, and no bugs. The wind rolls through the lake and does a good job keeping the bugs away. At 11am I headed out for Ice Berg. The way around chickamin is ugly with loose small talus. It took 1/2 hour. The way to Ice berg is HORABLE! Tons of elevation loss and gain. Steep severe side hill traversing. Small loose talus everywhere. I decided to do it anyway. After all that, and three hours I arrived at Ice Berg. NO campsite anywhere. What a lonely lake! The way down to Avalanche is bad! Steep steep steep. All in all beautiful lakes that I wont ever be going back to! Well, the berg and avalanche that is. TB