The Old Fellas did a 2 nighter to get Mount Maude off our bucket list. The weather was beautiful and we made it to the top Friday 1 PM. Thursday night the temperature dipped well below freezing in Leroy basin which took us by surprise and really tested my +20 bag! The main reason I'm writing this report is to thank whomever constructed the trail through the "ditch / trough"(if you've been on that route you know what I'm talking about) on the way to Maude out of Leroy basin is a saint, and us Old Fellas really appreciated it. When we went up, the snow/ice was totally melted out of it and its quite deep and steep. So again, thanks. Old Feller

Ethan and I set off from the Phelps Creek trailhead at 7 am under sunny skies, although it was a little shady in the valley. From the parking lot, we could see Maude and 7fJ, our destinations. We quickly turned off onto the Mt. Carne route. With three days of gear, a map, and only a general plan, we quickly ascended Mt. Carne, doing almost 2,000 ft vertical per hour. Carne basin was lovely with a bubbly little creek and a nice campsite. We dropped our packs at the pass just south of Carne and quickly reached the top. The top had nice 360 views, but we paid specific attention to the Carne high route we would be taking to Ice Pass. The Carne High Route was surprisingly well marked and easy to follow. For routefinding, it was quite easy. Beautiful views along the hillside. You actually cross 4 or 5 basins and creeks, each lovely and charming. If these basins were women, Carne basin would be my secret mistress, and Box and Chimpmunk and all the other basins would be my casual, open friends. All pretty but privacy can be nice. After the last creek crossing, we took the shortcut towards Ice Pass via the saddle to the NE around 7400 ft. This was when we really went off trail for the first time. By this time, it was a little after noon so we were starting to wear down. The last traverse to Ice Pass was a little tricky, as it required a long traverse/climb of a steep loose rock field. We didn't really want to do that with packs, so we attempted to cross a rocky ledge just above the rock field. When we arrived however, it was more difficult that we expected due to the weight and bulk of our packs. We had to make one sketchy class 3 move, but that was mostly because of the exposure. Still, I've seen more exposure at a high school dance or a cross country practice. But it's sometimes nice to get the blood pumping and heart racing. After that, it was a steep ascent to the Pass. We reached it around 1:30, enjoying beautiful views of the Ice Lakes, the Spectacular Butts, and of course, Mt. Maude. These views could even make an SI swimsuit photographer jealous. Maybe they should do one in the Cascades. I'd buy that issue. Overall, it was about 5000 ft gain and 8 or 9 miles to the pass. After lunch and a short nap, we decided to summit Mt. Maude. From Ice Pass, Maude is not merely “an exhilarating walkup.” It is a huge shoulder, bigger than even Mr. Universe's when he's on steroids, bigger than any open hillside I've climbed before. The main obstacle in this feat was actually getting up to the shoulder because you have to skirt some cliff bands. We went to the east of the cliff bands, ascended a few snowfields and then scrambled for about ten minutes. On the way back down, we just slid down steep loose rock slopes and snowfields. We didn't even need our microspikes on the way up. Once the reach the shoulder around 8,000 ft, it is a straightforward climb, although tiring. I started to wane under the influence of altitude. My steps became wobbly and I had trouble speaking. I was getting extremely high, higher than your average hipster in Seattle! Ethan gave me some “energy pills” and I suddenly felt better. With new mental and physical acuity, we pushed on. We made it to the top in 80 min from Ice Pass. Absolutely amazing summit views. Over 9,000 ft!! You can see Rainier, Baker, Fortress, Glacier Peak is huge, 7FJ and Fernow are close by, Bonananza is looming in the distance. We had a nice shirtless photo session. The thin high altitude atmosphere allowed a greater percentage of the sun's rays to reach the ground, illuminating our chiseled bodies. Hike for the booty! Hike for the body! As I said before, this would be a great place for an SI swimsuit cover. We could see a fire starting on the next ridgeline over, but because of the west wind, it was of no concern. However, hiking up a mountain in a fire would be a real booty burner, in more ways than one. On our way down, we stopped by Upper Ice Lake, which was mostly unfrozen. On the way down, we had some nice long boot skis and glissades (the opposite of a booty burner, more like a fanny freezer) Absolutely serene and mystical sitting on rocks by the lake. We filtered a few gallons of water, relaxed, and even took a short dip. The sun was shining and although it was into the evening, still in the 70s. Next, we hiked 500 ft uphill back to the pass. After 7500 ft of gain that day in 12 or 13 miles, we decided to make dinner. We had some delicious cous cous, apple cider, and watched the sun set. It lowered below Fortress Mountain, like an army retreating behind its castle. “War?” it seemed to say, “No such thing today! Let peace reign!” Glacier Peak turned pink as the sky turned yellow, red, purple, and everything in between. What an end to the day. I woke up around 5 and poked my head out. Unfortunately, clouds had moved in, obscuring the sunrise I desired. Also, the wind had switched direction, bringing in some smoke and haze that we did not want. This switch was not forecasted so I began to feel uncomfortable about the weather. We ate breakfast, packed up, and headed out by 7. We descended via the Leroy High Route, which was much easier. We reached Leroy Basin around 8, contemplating a 7fJ attempt, but decided against it because we felt a few drops. By the time we reached Phelps creek, it was pouring with no sign of stopping. At this point we decided to cut the trip short a day and leave that day. So we found a dry place under the trees and proceeded to feast on our extra food. We had a feast that would have made the Very Hungry Caterpillar jealous. Caterpillars are very interesting creatures. The transition period between caterpillar and butterfly is very mysterious biologically and spiritually. But that is a conversation for another day. After a huge meal and a nice nap under the trees, we walked up to Spider Meadows. I would've loved to spend the second night there and venture to Spider Gap, but the weather did not cooperate. It was very pretty and serene with all the clouds, but also a little wet so we headed back. Then we picked up our packs and made for the car, reaching the car a little after 2 in the afternoon. Overall, about 25 miles, 8000 ft elevation gain in a little over 30 hours. A difficult, wet, but amazing trip.

First let me preface this trip report with a warning this is a brutal day hike but over two days this would be a perfect hike. I started out at Phelps Creek trailhead at 9:30 my dog Tui was not up to the rough drive and had thrown up his breakfast on the passenger seat of my exploder not a good start to my day. The parking lot was crowded I had forgotten about the high hunt and deer hunters outnumbered the deer I saw twenty to one. The smoke from the wildfires in Wenatchee obscured some of the lower valleys as I hiked to the Leroy Creek trail. The trail is marked with a sign stating that the trail is not maintained but it was relatively easy to follow albeit climbing straight uphill in the dusty pumice soil that was soon to become familiar. Trekking poles were a must for this hike especially for the knee destroying descent. The trail climbed to a massive cirque dominated by Seven Fingered Jack. The forested meadows provided great campsites for excursions into the high country and would be perfect as a base camp. Wildflowers were still blooming in the high meadows, marmots and grouse were abundant and my dog was blissfully unaware as I kept him on leash. The other common wildlife were the high hunters who are essentially backpackers carrying three times the weight with some crazy idea about hauling a deer out of the backcountry, merely an excuse to get out of the house and enjoy the mountains. The trail continued across a talus field with the views of Glacier Peak and the north cascades getting more spectacular with each step. The next stopping point was a larch meadow the trail was slippery through this stretch as marble sized volcanic rock mixed with loose pumice gave little purchase for my boots. Tui and I finally reached the shoulder of Maude and looked down on the Entiat Glacier and upper Ice Lake an awesome lunch spot. Tui rolled in the snow and slid down the ice as I glissaded down to the lake. The way back up was not easy going and the rock was rotten and covered with loose soil but we made the ridge and the rest of the way was an easy walk up. I took some pictures from the summit but the east was almost completely obscured by the fires still burning in Wenatchee I felt like a fire lookout from my high vantage point I just needed a firefinder to get the azimuth. Overall this hike was great to get to one of the highest points in Washington it was surprisingly easy going for an abandoned trail and the climb was possible in one day but in two days would be great and it would be possible to climb both 7FJ and Maude from the high camp. I will be back someday the views were amazing.

Reconnaissance trip to Leroy Basin to check snow levels and trail conditions. The Leroy Creek trail is still crazy steep, but it’s in great shape, just a few easy step-over blowdowns. The trail to the basin is snow-free, and so are all the campsites in the basin. The basin still has some snow but it’s melting out fast. No issues for those heading to Mount Maude or Seven-Fingered Jack. Seattle to Phelps Creek trailhead: 145 miles, three hours. Trailhead to Leroy Creek: 1-1/2 hours. Leroy Creek to Leroy Basin: 2 hours. A couple notes of caution: Privies available at campsites on the Chiwawa River road, none at the trailhead. Above the second switchback on the Phelps Creek Road, there’s about a 100-yard section with so many big rocks sticking out of the road that it looks like a relief map of Seven-Fingered Jack! Your sedan can handle it as long as you mosey over it at about two miles an hour. We saw a few folks with wet feet from crossing Leroy Creek, which is pretty high and wide these days. There’s a solid set of logs about 75 yards upstream from where the Phelps trail crosses Leroy creek. Highly recommended for keeping boots dry! After about an hour up the Leroy Creek trail, at the first campsites, a companion trail heads up to the open slope to the left, then it peters out, causing damage and erosion. At the first campsite, the correct trail veers right and crosses a small creek. It feels wrong because it continues to the right, re-enters the woods, and heads downhill a bit, but it soon turns back uphill and continues to Leroy Basin.

I did not hike Little Giant Pass, but checked the ford. At least one person had apparently forded. The water looks high, but smooth and doable, knee-deep at least I think, you'd want a good stick, and belay the dog. This was in the morning. The current spreads out here. Bring a pair of tennis shoes; keep your boots dry. I wouldn't want to do it barefoot. Wildflowers peaking along lower Phelps Creek Trail. Bugs are there but not awful. Stream crossings no big deal. A deer on the trail, and a porcupine. Leave it! Good dog! At the little stream just before Leroy Creek, note a notched concrete block (4'Wx10'Lx3'H?) with a log ruin behind it and a pipe. I'm wondering if this was the foundation for a Pelton wheel power unit? When you cross Leroy Creek, ascend the trail a few hundred yards -- worth it for the waterfall. I think Leroy Creek Trail is an old sheep trail -- very steep, not engineered, gullied in places, unmaintained, but in surprisingly good shape. Snow starts in upper Leroy Creek Basin at about 6000'. Several campsites; one is, I think, an old sheep camp in the basin beneath Seven-Fingered-Jack and Maude. The upper basin is still all under snow, a lovely place. Go up to about 6100' to find the Leroy Creek High Route, it's an obvious trail, but I eventually lost it in the snow. There are cairns. Go high; if you lose the trail, use the snow. This is a very good time to do this route; the snow will be gone in a few weeks and it'll be all rock -- but then, if you can keep to the trail, you can avoid the chossy icky stuff. Snow travel conditions were ideal -- a few inches of mush-on-crust -- lightweight crampons maybe saved energy on the ascent, but not strictly necessary. Traversing upwards east of the col, crampons will be necessary if it freezes hard. I used them on the ascent (not strictly necessary), but not on the descent. It's a bit steep here but the runout OK except in a few places, with rocks underneath. A cornice that's maybe not as bad as it looks; you don't have to walk underneath it. Bivvied on the summit. Weak-looking lenticular wave clouds to the west warned of the marine push that would rob us of our summit sunrise. Dark starry night with distant lightning on the eastern horizon ruining my sleep (people who sleep on lightning rods don't sleep well). Clear until we awoke in a whiteout. The clouds were less than 2000' thick, perfectly situated to ruin our sunrise; the ceiling was about 8500'. It cleared by noon, but by then we were back in Upper Leroy Basin, looking at Maude and 7FJ silhouetted against a dark blue sky. Still a lot of snow at Spider Gap.