Seattle MAC - Backpacking Trip - Boiling Lake Area

Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club

Seattle MAC - Backpacking Trip - Boiling Lake Area

Cancelled due to smoke/fires. Backpacking trip (4 days, 3 nights): Explore stunning high alpine meadows in early wildflower bloom in area around Boiling Lake in the Chelan Sawtooths. This trip has prerequisites. See leaders notes for details.

  • Strenuous 5
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 35.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 5,000 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 7,550 ft
  • Pace: 2 mph

Part of the summer trip.  group carpooling sheet

We will start from Pearrygin Lake State Park on Friday morning (7/16) and carpool to Crater Creek Trailhead https://goo.gl/maps/vHDtpxGPSWBog1zh9   about an hour away.  Final details to be discussed at group meeting evening prior.

Prerequisites: Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course/badge. Attendance at at least 1 MAC hike throughout the year prior to backpack trip.

Students must have demonstrated fitness throughout other MAC activities and may be asked to answer certain questions to give the leader an idea of their fitness/ability/experience level.  Participants will be chosen at the trip leaders discretion and the above are minimum requirements which do not guarantee a space on the trip.

The Chelan Sawtooth area typically melts out much earlier than the central Cascades and offers opportunities to explore high meadows, cross country off trail rambles and walk up low summits.  Formerly one of Washington's primary sheep herding areas, remnants of the old sheep trails remain.  Currently mixed use trails which attract backpackers, trail runners, mountain bikers and horse travel.
Our itinerary which may be adjusted based on snow melt out.
Day 1 from Crater Creek TH to Upper Eagle Lake (6 miles and 2750 ft elevation gain)
Day 2 from Upper Eagle Lake to Boiling Lake and  camp either at Boiling Lake or  above the lake headed toward Hoodoo Pass. (4-5 miles and 1000-1500 ft elevation gain).  After we've set up camp, anticipate afternoon exploration one one of the myriad of marked or unmarked trails in the area.
Day 3 Day hike (likely 8-10 miles) which may include hiking through high alpine meadows  to Cub Lake, Chipmunk Pass or on Summit Trail.  Depending on interest and snow levels, off trail exploration may be possible.
Day 4 Pack up camp and hike out to Crater Creek Trailhead (9-10 miles).
  • We will be camping and hiking at the 7000 foot elevation level and nights may be cold (mid-30s) so appropriate sleeping bag and warm clothing will be necessary. 
  • Brief sections of the trail may be snow covered but if significant snow remains, I'll reroute this trip to another area in the Chelan Sawtooths. 
  • Early season can include bugs so DEET or picaridin bug repellent as well as bug head nets will be strongly recommended.
  • Note that I will be asking for your base pack weight (weight before added food and shared gear) before the trip and I will be doing a pack weight check night prior to trip.  Ideally backpack weight should be no more than 20% of your body weight so if it's looking heavy, I'll work with you on strategies.
Route/Place

Boiling Lake Area



  • Green Trails Prince Creek No. 115

    Green Trails Buttermilk Butte No. 83

    USGS Martin Peak

    USGS Prince Creek

    USGS Oval Peak

    Green Trails North Cascades Lake Chelan No. 114SX
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

See trip sheet for packing list and additional details.  See Group Organizing Page for shared gear, tent plan and cooking plan (all of which will be determined in the 2 weeks prior to start of the summer trip). Will send out a survey to assess interest for shared gear, tent sharing and shared meals.

Plan for The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which includes:

  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Warm sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • Rain gear (rain pants + jacket)
  • Bear canister or Ursack  (high alpine area and no reliable bear hang trees)
  • Water filter
  • Stove/fuel
  • Mess kit
  • Mosquito repellant (DEET or picaridin) + bug head net
  • Toilet paper and shovel and bag to carry out toilet paper/wipes
  • Personal first aid kit
Trip Reports