Spider on Steroids

This is a challenging route that includes sections of cross-country travel and route-finding. Consider carrying traction devices and trekking poles or an ice ax to navigate permanent snow fields. I highly recommend going clockwise to get the crux of the route (Little Giant Pass to High Pass) done when you’re fresh.

Starting at Little Giant trailhead, go over Little Giant Pass and then drop down into the Napeequa Valley. (The Napeequa Valley is stunning and has been referred to by some as “Shangri-la.” That said, it is a very steep descent on an abandoned trail from Little Giant Pass to the bottom of Napeequa Valley, so caution is advised. From a previous trip report: “...Two horses died falling off the trail here. They reportedly tumbled many hundreds of feet before coming to rest. So don't doubt that it's steep.” Apparently the bleached bones of these unfortunate animals can still be seen from the trail.)

Travel up the Napeequa Valley on the Boulder Creek/Pass Trail (#1562). As you near the northwestern end of the valley, approx 1 mile NW of Louis Creek, look for the North Fork of the Napeequa (NFN) heading north to High Pass. Follow the NFN up towards High Pass - there is no maintained trail and some route-finding may be necessary. Go up and over High Pass, at which point it’s mostly trail back to your car: From High Pass, take the High Pass Trail (#1562.2) to the Buck Creek Pass trail (#789?) to the PCT.

The PCT connects to the Suiattle Pass trail (1279), which takes you from Suiattle Pass to Cloudy Pass. At Cloudy Pass, drop down to Lyman Lakes on trail #1256, where you pick up the Upper Lyman Lake trail (#1256.2) which leads you to Spider Gap. From Spider Gap, descend into Spider Meadows Follow Phelps Creek trail all the way out to Phelps Creek TH Road walk/run back to Little Giant TH (this is part of the route - no car shuttles, please!)