Phelps Creek, Holden Village to High Bridge, Spider Gap & Upper Lyman Lake — Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023

September 9th
Great trail run route from Phelps creek trailhead to High bridge at Stehekin. 35 miles
My wife and I were dropped off at 6am at Phelps creek TH ran up thru spider meadow and spider Gap. With the Glacier gone and more scree and rock this was the only area slowing down the pace with 30 min, once over the  gap  you kinda pick your own line down  again on rock and scree then smooths out as you approach upper lyman lake. From here it is beautiful along the lyman lakes and a quick stop for blue berries. Up Cloudy pass had nice easy gains then dropping down using the PCT north connector trail to the PCT north. From here to High bridge it was great and perfect trail running conditions. We missed the 3:00 pm bus at High bridge by one hour but instantly got rides hitching it down to the bakery. Later then walking down to Stehekin landing for the evening, setting up tent at Lakeview campground, had dinner and drinks at the lodge, used the public hot showers and called it a day under the stars.  Next morning we hit the bakery again then later boarded the lady Express to downtown Chelan boat dock then took the public Link Transit bus back to our home town of Wenatchee.  This route is a perfect distance running route with nearly all of it smooth runnable miles.  We packed minimum both around 7 pounds using our running vests. I carried a ultra light  2 person Nemo tent, sleeping bag, air pad and pillow and snacks to get us to the bakery.