Location: Alpine Lakes Wilderness - Cascades in Washington
Elevation Start/End: 2800/2800 7624 foot overall elevation gain.
Length: 40-mile round-trip
Trail Info: Loop hike from Pete Lake Trailhead to Waptus Lake to the hard to reach Shovel Lake and then along the Pacific Crest Trail up and over the peaks and back down to Pete Lake Trailhead. Map.
I had planned a 50 miler with the scout troup in California but was unable to attend due to our move to Seattle. I planned on hiking in August in the Olympics and had invited several folks: My brother Josh Griffith who lives in Boise. Joe Rudd and Scott Barentsen two good friends from California, Rod Zollinger a long time friend who lived in Seattle and a new work mate in Seattle Tim Hammer. In the end Rod couldn't come and the rain made us reconsider the Olympics, Tim scrambled up alternative plans and we headed for the Alpine Lakes region in the Cascades about 90 minutes east of Seattle near Cle Elum. This is the tale of our journey.
Click a picture to see a larger view.
