Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA

[enoorange]

Starting Sep 6. for my first hammock trip EVER as I fly to Seattle and head to Lake Chelan, WA, take a 3 hr boat ride, 1+ hr bus then launch our 6 day hiking adventure.

I purchased my hammock on impulse 2 weeks ago and I've been reading this forum nonstop and youtube'n trying to get prepared.

A small concern is I haven't slept overnight in any hammock BUT at least I've practiced hanging the gear about 8-10 times. whehue!!! .

Gear: ENO Singlenest, Whoopie Slings, Polyester straps w/Marlin Spike, 40deg down bag (opened as quilt), DIY IX UQ per forum instructions and wife's help, and ENO nylon tarp .

{Trip Report to follow w/pictures of course).

side note: I'm scared of bears but locals tell me they will be full of blackberries this time of year and won't be interested in humans (I am taking a canister despite the 2.8lbs of weight).

[foureyedgeek]

Way to jump right in, I'm looking forward to your report.

[BillyBob58]

Starting Sep 6. for my first hammock trip EVER as I fly to Seattle and head to Lake Chelan, WA, take a 3 hr boat ride, 1+ hr bus then launch our 6 day hiking adventure.

I purchased my hammock on impulse 2 weeks ago and I've been reading this forum nonstop and youtube'n trying to get prepared.

A small concern is I haven't slept overnight in any hammock BUT at least I've practiced hanging the gear about 8-10 times. whehue!!! .

Gear: ENO Singlenest, Whoopie Slings, Polyester straps w/Marlin Spike, 40deg down bag (opened as quilt), DIY IX UQ per forum instructions and wife's help, and ENO nylon tarp .

{Trip Report to follow w/pictures of course).

side note: I'm scared of bears but locals tell me they will be full of blackberries this time of year and won't be interested in humans (I am taking a canister despite the 2.8lbs of weight).

WOW, Enoo, such Deja Vue! It was on this same week 4 or 5 years back when I flew out of Memphis to WY for my 1st ever trip with and night in hammock! Whoohoo! Maybe you will do better than me. I had a rough 1st night(cold), and then did not trust it for the rest of the trip. But truth is I stayed warm and uber comfy for the rest of the trip, and was a convert by the end of that trip.

And don't worry about the bears. As you can read at many threads here, you are extremely unlikely to even have any threat from them, just keep a clean camp. And your bear spray should give you extra piece of mind. If it is just one canister, maybe that weight can be divided up among group gear? Have fun!

[BillyBob58]

Starting Sep 6. for my first hammock trip EVER as I fly to Seattle and head to Lake Chelan, WA, take a 3 hr boat ride, 1+ hr bus then launch our 6 day hiking adventure.

I purchased my hammock on impulse 2 weeks ago and I've been reading this forum nonstop and youtube'n trying to get prepared.

A small concern is I haven't slept overnight in any hammock BUT at least I've practiced hanging the gear about 8-10 times. whehue!!! .

Gear: ENO Singlenest, Whoopie Slings, Polyester straps w/Marlin Spike, 40deg down bag (opened as quilt), DIY IX UQ per forum instructions and wife's help, and ENO nylon tarp .

BTW, I have often wanted to make that trip across Lake Chelan, but have not yet managed to. Look forward to your report.

{Trip Report to follow w/pictures of course).

side note: I'm scared of bears but locals tell me they will be full of blackberries this time of year and won't be interested in humans (I am taking a canister despite the 2.8lbs of weight).

WOW, Enoo, such Deja Vue! It was on this same week 4 or 5 years back when I flew out of Memphis to WY for my 1st ever trip with and night in hammock! Whoohoo! Maybe you will do better than me. I had a rough 1st night(cold), and then did not trust it for the rest of the trip. But truth is I stayed warm and uber comfy for the rest of the trip, and was a convert by the end of that trip.

And don't worry about the bears. As you can read at many threads here, you are extremely unlikely to even have any threat from them, just keep a clean camp. And your bear spray should give you extra piece of mind. If it is just one canister, maybe that weight can be divided up among group gear? Have fun!

BTW: I have long wanted to make that trip across Lake Chelan! Look forward to your trip report.

[enoorange]

Trip Report. Glacier Wilderness Peak, WA and North Cascades, WA.
2nd week of Sept. Unusually WARM thus black flies and mosquitos were rampant...fellow hikers offered big $$$ for my $1 head nest.

Getting to trailhead: 3 hour drive east from Seattle area to Lake Chelan, WA THEN 3 hr Lady of the Lake II boat from Lake Chelan, WA to Lucerne, THEN 1 hr escorted school bus (11 miles, 2000ft rise) to Holden Village THEN start hiking! I am guessing we did around 60 miles total backpacking.



Camped at Hart Lake, then based camp at Lyman Lake for a few nights.
1st night in hammock was a challenge but subsequent nights I REALLY liked it! Rough 1st night due to getting used to hammock, and constantly waking up, turning on headlight and seeing deer eyeballs staring at me...all night long!


Favorites in Glacier Wilderness Peak area? Hiking to Upper Lyman glacier then Cloudy Pass to Image lake.
"Lyman Glacier"

"Cloudy Pass" to Image lake


We then did a couple days hiking the North Cascades Area(Maple Loop Trail, Harts Pass)...easy 8 milers but VERY enjoyable and recommended VIEWS.
"Maple Loop Trail"

"Harts Pass - Pacific Crest Trail"


All in all a great time, lots of solitude (due to post labor day hiking), weather was warm and clear.

Hint...this is a fake sheriff entering Winthrop, WA


A few recommendations;
Holden Village Cafeteria ($7/ran by Luthern church) while waiting for bus on return trip.
Midtown Motel, Lake Chelan, WA
Timberline Cabins, Winthrop, WA
Apple Cup Cafe, Lake Chelan, WA
Restaurants on way to North Cascades...
Breakfast at Mazama Store, Mazama, WA. ,
Dinner at Twisp River Pub, Twisp, WA

My only regret was I was hoping for rain and a bit colder weather so I could test the boundaries of my new hammock. But I am sold.

Also I would probably hang my food/smelly stuff rather than bear canister to save 3 lbs. Also would wear long pants...really fooled myself into thinking the bugs would be gone this time of year!

[bluethundra]

Awesome pictures!!!!

[Pipsissewa]

Also I would probably hang my food/smelly stuff rather than bear canister to save 3 lbs.

Or, you can buy new, unused one-gallon paint cans at the Home Depot (or similar), keep your smellables in that and hang from the bails at night. Much lighter than a bear canister and contains the smells. You just need a church key or can opener to pop the top. In bear country, we carry three: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Works great!!

Really nice trip report. We have car-camped at Lake Chelan but never got a chance to backpack there. Beautiful area!!! Thanks for posting.