Upper Lyman Lake, Image Lake via Miners Ridge, Spider Gap - Buck Creek Pass Loop & Buck Creek Pass — Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997

Central Cascades

Glacier Peak Area - Spider-Lyman-Cloudy-Image-Buck Creek Loop: Started Sunday at Spider Meadows. Trailhead mobbed but most people heading out. Trail in good shape all the way to the base of Spider ""Glacier."" Snow to Spider Pass and down the far side to Upper Lyman Basin where we camped the first night on gravel moraines. Only one small snow patch at Cloudy Pass. Hiker trail between Cloudy and Suiattle Passes is probably snow free by the time you read this. On 8/11 there were a couple of steep patches where an ice ax would be comforting, but not necessary. Beautiful flowers on Miner's Ridge and Image Lake was completely melted out. Three parties at Image Lake on 8/11 and several more on 8/12. No snow between Image Lake and Buck Creek Pass, although the bridge over Miner's Creek is tipped at an unnerving angle. Camped on Middle Ridge in the meadows below Fortrees. Hiked out over Buck Creek Pass the last day. Still no snow to speak of. Many flowers all over this trip. Bugs were the worst I've experienced in the Cascades. Black flied were only a bit worse than they always are, but the mosquitoes were miserable. Far worse than in any other year in this area.