Carne Mountain High Route, Ice Creek - Ice Lakes & Mount Maude — Friday, Sep. 19, 2014

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan

Enjoyed a three-day trip to Ice Lakes via the Carne Mountain High Route, and a side trip up 9,000 ft + Mt Maude. The Carne Mountain High Route is easy enough to follow in most spots, but entirely disappears in others. Everyone I encountered lost it at one point or another, including myself - you'll want to have some route finding skills and equipment, and be comfortable with off trail travel and some scrambling. I did encounter a few groups of hunters on the way. To get to Upper Ice Lake, I took the prominent saddle above Chipmunk Creek, traversed below Freezer Peak (Pt 8017), and then headed down to the basin. On the return, I took the slightly more boot-beaten trail/scramble down from the same saddle above Ice Lake. I probably preferred the former route. Upper Ice Lake was stark and beautiful, with larches in every shade of green and orange imaginable. Lower Ice Lake was equally scenic. I recommend accessing Lower Ice Lake via Upper Ice Lake's outfall - where you'll encounter delightful waterfalls and pools, perfect for a quick dip. Maude is a safe, easy hike from Ice Lake. The basin out of Upper Ice Lake looks steep, but it isn't bad once you're on it. The shoulder up Maude to the summit really is just a walk - keep to your left for the clearest tread, along a rocky spine. Views of Glacier and the North Cascades at the top are some of the finest in the state! PS - Although there were low clearance vehicles at the Phelps Creek Trailhead, and I have driven to it in a Honda Civic myself, I definitely don't recommend it. The last several miles are just awful.