A.H. Sylvester Chiwaukum loop, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

It seems impossible to travel through the Wenatchee or Entiat ranger districts without being touched by the place names given by A.H. Sylvester. The Chiwaukum Range especially bears the names of his wife (Lake Alice), relatives and friends, as well as some of the whimsical (Grindstone Creek and mountain, "named for a small grindstone which was lost from the load of a pack horse at this crossing.") and descriptive names he gave (Frosty Creek and pass, after his camp in the area received a heavy frost in early fall; Chatter Creek, for the sound of its flow). Sylvester Lake, named in memoriam, sits on Grindstone Mountain's southwest side. On a side note, Sylvester is credited with changing the name of the North Fork of the White River to the Napeequa River, a native and descriptive name I love, which also is one of my favorite places in the state.

On my first trip to the Chiwaukum last November, Ethan, Kate and I "enjoyed" a quite-cold day of solitude, but didn't get to fully experience the area.

Yesterday I did the long-form loop from Chatter Creek through the Mormon Lady Lakes, Frosty Pass and on to Doelle Lakes (pronounced "duel-ee"; named by Sylvester for William Doelle of Cashmere who lost his life fighting a forest fire in the area) and Chain Lakes, returning via Icicle Creek. Ben had done this a couple of weeks ago and reminded me I needed to go too.

All trails are in good shape and there is abundant water throughout the loop. From the Chatter Creek TH through Frosty Pass was quite busy (15 people?) but I was the only one through Doelle and Chain Lakes, the highlight of the loop. Larches on the east side are just starting to change.

Thanks to Forest Service rangers Adam and Shane, who I had a nice long chat with on the trail. Great to see them out rangering the high hunt and hear some of their thoughts on challenges the area is facing. I have a lot of time for those guys.

The loop is just under 30 miles with ~7,500'+ of gain.

Looking back down the Chatter Creek drainage from the upper basin; Cashmere Mountain peeking out

Index Creek drainage, from just below Lake Edna

Larches in the basin south of Lake Edna

Lake Edna, Icicle Ridge and Big Jim Mountain (left)

Pano from above Ladies Pass (center); Ladies Peak above and Snowgrass Mountain summit in the clouds at right

Northwest face of Grindstone Mountain, with Lake Alice

Northwest face of Grindstone

Upper Florence Lake

North face of Mt. Stuart

Lake Margaret, Frosty Pass and the ridges toward Doelle-Chain beyond

Bulls Tooth

Large meadow before Doelle Lakes

Lower Doelle Lake

Fight crowds in the Enchantments or have this all to yourself...?

Lower Doelle Lake

Upper Doelle Lake and the north end of Bulls Tooth

The upper two Chain Lakes

ID help? Maybe a baby Western Toad?

There is a lot of old growth in the upper Icicle

Fall colors through Icicle Creek