Day Hike - Spider Meadows

Phelps Creek Trailhead at 8am

Note:  road to trailhead is rough and best suited for high clearance vehicles.  No parking pass is required

Directions:  Spider Meadow and Phelps Basin — Washington Trails Association (wta.org)

This is day 1 of a 3-day hiking event.  Leader will be lodging in Plain, WA.  While you may sign up for one or more hikes, lodging or camping in the area would be advised as it is a 2-3 hr drive from the Seattle area. No carpool arrangements will be facilitated by the leader.

This is a mod/strenuous 13-mile hike.   We will head up an old mining road with several creek crossings (can make for wet boots), then opening up to fabulous views of Chiwawa ridge.   The trail then climbs to Leroy Creek, where signs of the past mining in this area are visible.
At 5.5 miles the trail breaks out at the base of Spider Meadow where we may hear marmots, see wildflowers, and beautiful views in all directions.
Across the meadow we will climb 300 feet to the junction of the Spider Gap trail and then take a fisherman’s trail to Phelps Basin, where we will have have lunch before heading back.

We will go at a moderate pace with plenty of rest breaks as needed.  Bring lunch and plenty of water, sturdy hiking shoes and water shoes for stream crossings if needed. Trekking poles will be helpful. 

For safety we will all hike as a group so please assess beforehand whether this distance/elevation gain/pace will suit you before registering

Lodging:  

Leader has a cabin in Plain, WA (15 miles from Leavenworth) that participants can request to lodge in.  There are 4 separate bedrooms, so will be limited to one person per room (unless family members). Cabin has air conditioning and outdoor hot tub.  You are also welcome to bring a tent and sleeping bag and set up outside on the lawn.   Dining will be outdoors.  Cost is $35/night per person with a share in the $150 cleaning fee. You may stay 3 nights (Thurs, Fri, Sat).    Cabin is near Lake Wenatchee, so participants may also go to the lake after the hike (s) for swimming, kayaking, relaxing.    Please notify leader via a separate email at the time of registration what your lodging plans are and if you wish to stay in the cabin.  Room priority will be given to those staying all 3 nights.

There are also several camping/hotel areas in the vicinity you are welcome to stay at as well.