Spectacular partial loop hike from Salmon La Sac Trailhead along Waptus River trail to Waptus Lake, up to Spade and Venus Lakes, along Waptus Pass trail to Pete Lake and back to Salmon La Sac TH along Pete Lake and Cooper Lake trails.

Camps: We camped at Waptus Lake near the trail to Venus Lake. This area had less of a view than at the SE corner of the lake and was filled with late-arriving PCT hikers, even though it was Monday. It was cloudy and showered that night, so we didn't have much of a view until our return anyway. Camped at a small peninsula about halfway along Spade Lake. We didn't see a lot of camp options, due to the steep and marshy terrain, but there was only one other backpacker, that we saw. We meet women hiking to and camping at Venus Lake, where there are three small tent pads among the rocks. At Pete Lake, we camped among rocks and had a great, but cold dip in the lake, our first night when it was warm enough to consider a swim. The prime spots to the east by the toilet were occupied.
Mosquitoes: Very few mosquitoes. The worst was between Pete Lake and Cooper Lake.

The Waptus River trail is pretty easy, with comfortable grades up and down. While it is not a spectacular trail, the forest had an interesting diversity of vegetation with lower elevation hemlocks and Douglas fir along with western white pine and pacific silver fir. There were also ripe huckleberries.

The hike up to Spade Lake was very steep, gaining 2300' in less than 2 miles. It was made more difficult by about a dozen downed trees over the trail, not counting those that were easily stepped over. But, it was worth it! We set up camp at beautiful Spade Lake and then day hiked to Venus Lake. Venus Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake set below Mt Daniel. The short hike to the saddle to the west of the lake was pretty easy and well worth it for better views of Venus Lake and the surrounding mountains. Women we met told us we could have climbed to the saddle to the east for a view of Circle Lake, but we were on our way down by then. The views of Spade from the trail down were amazing and also at sunset from camp. 

The next day we returned to Waptus Lake and then took the Waptus Pass trail to Pete Lake. While the Waptus Pass trail is relatively steep, it is much easier than the climb up to or down from Spade Lake and the trail was in great condition. 

The hike out from Pete Lake was easy and we were back to the trailhead near noon. The trail from Pete to Cooper Lake is very wide, with many bridges, likely as it is a popular equestrian trail. While we did not see any horses, we did see recent evidence of horses along the trail. The trail narrows from Cooper Lake to Salmon La Sac and unfortunately seldom provides a view of the beautiful Cooper River. The Salmon La Sac trailhead was packed upon our return with people jumping from the cliffs into the river.

Fantastic trip! We saw a couple of Marmots on our way to Spade lake and an otter in Pete lake. Our favorite lakes were the highest, Venus and Spade, but Waptus and Pete Lake were also lovely. 

I was part of WTA's Lost Trail Found Crew that went out to work on this beast of a loop! Beautiful mountains, flora, and fauna at every switchback! Our crew's goal was to logout as much as possible on this loop. We were able to get most of the logs out of the trail, or at least make them passable.

The trail itself is mellow to Pete Lake where we took our first dip of the week. We then made our way up the many switchbacks to Solo Tarn and set up camp there, where we took more dips and had some good im-scared-its-going-to-be-too-cold-so-im-going-to-jump-into-the-water spots! We finally finished the hitch hiking thru the beautiful meadows on Section J of the PCT until we eventually turned off on the Waptus Burn trail, which is... very... different from the PCT. We thought the trail was named after the fire that happened in the area, but after hiking down the steep rocky switchbacks... we knew it was actually just our legs that burned 🥵. But this trail did indeed provide us some small waterfalls and a quick way back down to Pete Lake. Regrettably, we didn't jump in on the way out because we had quickly remembered the homemade cookies in the car waiting for us that one of our crew member's mom sent us! 

The long hike rewarded us with spectacular views of the Chimney Rocks and Lemah Mountains, a nice dip in a refreshing alpine lake called Solo Tarn, and marmot & pika galore all throughout the talus fields and meadows along the PCT. We were also greeted by many Southbound PCT Thru Hikers and we wish Guy from Israel good luck on his travels and thank you again for the spared chocolate!

Recently, I have returned to the classic book - 100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness bi Ira Springs. Trying to check off the few remaining trails I have not done and Ira has never steered me wrong. We went to do a loop starting at Pete Lake trailhead which as usual was very busy when we arrived. We knew we only had the first 1.25 mls before leaving the herds behind (35 + young men from a church group).

Tired Creek- Sadly as soon as you start on this trail there is a tree that is surrounded by tp flowers! Another sign of the women who seem incapable of hiking their tp out. Come on ladies! Trail is very brushy in the first 500 yards but this does not last long and flowers are prolific immediately. 2 downed trees in the short section up to the roadbed. Here is your last guaranteed water source till Quick Creek(just before Waptus Pass). Views start around the road and improve as you climb. 2 downed trees on the switchbacks but easy to get around. Some exposed sections but mostly shaded as you make your way up to the ridge. After the switchbacks you enter a meadow which was exploding in flowers and actually had 2 unexpected water sources to cool off. Neither of these show on a map so they may not be year round. A few mosquitos in this stretch

Polallie Ridge- We took the .25 ml trail to the Polallie Ridge Lookout which is a must. 360 degree views do not disappoint! We returned to the junction and continued down Polallie Ridge where we immediately hit a section of downed trees - way too many to count. Looks like a windstorm uprooted huge sections of trees. Some where older and had been cut others we went up and over, under , or around. Could definitely use some attention in this area. Luckily we were headed downhill as this is a steep section of switchbacks. This lasted for approximately half a mile. Quick Creek was a great water source. It goes underground at the crossing but can be seen above ground just a bit downstream. Camps are located in the meadow area around here. A few mosquitos at the lookout but breeze help keep them away.

Waptus Pass- This section of trail is in great shape with a few downed trees all easy to step over. Several  creeks in the upper section.The trail drops off the ridge to Pete Lake on short tight switchbacks in loose rock and exposed to the sun.

Pete Lake- Only a couple of groups camped at the lake and this trail is in excellent condition. This is where the bugs were horrendous! Although covered and sprayed, the bugs  followed us the whole way out swarming and biting around our heads. We tried to out run them but nothing worked. Just kept moving the whole time till we reached the safety of our vehicle!

All junctions are signed. What a spectacular loop! Only saw people at the trailhead and at the lake.

We did a 2-nights trip (40 km total) from the Pete Lake Trailhead to Pete Lake and then a loop through Lemah Meadows, PCT section J, and Waptus Pass. First night was 1.5 km from the trailhead. Second night on the top lake on the PCT.

Highly recommend to GET LOTS OF WATER from the creeks before the switchbacks on PCT after Lemah Meadows. Switchbacks are long and not steep at all which is nice but there's an open area and it gets VERY HOT under the sun. Luckily, we had enough water but our dog was still very hot and tired so we had to carry her for the last 100 meters to refresh in the lake.

We were a bit worried about Waptus Pass section because there were trees laying crossed on the trail crossing. But it turned out really good. Lots of berries. Trail is in a good condition. Some sections a bit steeper but overall pretty comfortable.

I had planned on making this an overnight, but there was a very large group of horsemen in $500 cowboy cosplay outfits taking up the entire lake. The only place to camp was a squishy, marshy spot with no shade. Good thing I love backcountry horsemen, who do so much to keep our trails maintained.

I could have camped at Pete--it had been crowded af when I'd passed by in the morning, at 9:30 a.m., but when I got there again at 3 p.m. it was pretty quiet. However, I've been having shoulder issues and didn't want to risk sleeping on the ground when I was so close to the TH.

Someone was shooting a semi-auto near the TH, which really messed with the dogs. I wish there were someplace in america that you could go and not get fkkn shot at. 

My app said I hiked 21.3 miles, fully loaded.

I generally stay out of Alpine Lakes, and every time I decide to go I remember why I don't. Beautiful area. Too many people.