Description

Just preparing to write this route makes me anxious.

This was a 7 day trip that Jason Hummel had dreamed up and I was fortunate to join in on.

This route would link together some stunning areas of Alpine Lakes Wilderness that are only relatively easily traveled when buried under a thick snowpack.

There are areas which are remote then there are areas that are extremely remote and this is one of those tours.

The route can get complex at times so make sure to have a good weather window and be completely self sufficient.

I like to say one mistake is okay but three mistakes is a nightmare. Starting at Hyas Lake Parking Lot start hiking west up the Cathedral Pass Trail.

Once on the ridge make your way onto the west side following the Pacific Crest Trail for a few minutes but breaking off on the first switchback heading towards Peggy’s Pond.

Now it is time to head East up the basin towards Mount Daniels.

Once about 2/3 the way up the sub summit head to the lookers left to bypass the cliffs then you can wrap around the high point before continuing to the true summit. Standing on top of Mount Daniels drop down the north side onto the Lynch Glacier before arriving at Pea Soup Lake.

Make sure that the lake is still frozen as you proceed as it would add a few hours of scrambling around the shores if not.

Once at the main outflow drop west towards the East Fork of the Foss River until arriving in the flats of the valley.

From here head Southwest up the mellow slopes of Mount Hinman until arriving on the summit. From the summit of Mount Hinman drop down the West Ridge towards the La Bohn Gap area.

Once past Williams Lake you will find yourself in the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Valley.

Now it is time to climb up a small valley just west of Little Big Chief and Summit Chief Mountains before arriving on the col.

The next section was one of the cruxes of the trip as the main drainage was melted out.

Instead we found a ramp to ride into the valley on the southwestern lower slopes of Summit Chief until arriving in the valley.

Climb west on a low bench where you are able to ascend the Eastern slopes of Chimney rock giving access to the Overcoat Glacier. Standing on the Overcoat Glacier and being so close to Overcoat peak you might as well take the chance to ride the small north chute.

Drop your heavy backpacks and do a quick summit and decent of the small snow finger before continuing the traverse.

After searching for the best route to proceed head down the north ridge a little ways before descending down to Overcoat lake than climb south up and over the next ridge before descending to Iceberg Lake. From Iceberg Lake there is a small ramp heading South climbing around the West slopes of Lehmah Mountain before descending to Chikamin Lake.

After that it’s time to head southwest until arriving at the summit of Chikamin Peak.

From there drop down the western slopes until arriving onto the melted out Pacific Crest Trail and follow it west before descending down to Joe Lake.

The map showed a trail that connect with the Gold Creek Trail which we followed but hadn’t been maintained in years.

The next few hours are a slog as the trail slowly gets better and better then before long you are off of a trail and on the main road.

For the last few miles we had a smile on our faces as the trip was almost over.

After 7 days you’ve finally arrived at the Gold Creek Trailhead and pulled off the Alpine Lakes Traverse. To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/snoqualmie-pass/alpine-lakes-traverse/