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#51784 08/11/08 07:40 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 37
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I am headed out on Saturday for a (6) day loop starting at the Fish Creek Trailhead and going to the Lost Keys Lakes, Beetlebug Lake, Peter Pande, Cascade Valley & Iva Bell Hot Springs. If anyone has done this loop or has any info on the area and possible side trips for peak bagging etc. I would appreciate the advise.
Thanks!


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Ken
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An amazing area.

Cascade Valley had the worst mosquito conditions I've ever seen. If you camped there overnite without deet, they'd find a skeleton in the morning.....

Those lakes are not often visited, and there are a number of peaks in the area worthy of climbs. You might look on Climber.org for TR's to the area.

Ken #51821 08/12/08 02:51 PM
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Ken,

I am glad to hear this is great area to visit. I am always looking for areas that are less traveled.

I was hoping that the mosquitos would be less active by mid August. I plan to camp as "Second Crossing" on day 5 which is towards the end of Cascade Valley and closer to the hot springs. Did you find the mosquitos to be bad near the hot springs and if so do you have any other recomendations for a place to camp? I will be coming from Peter Pande Lake so only traveling 6+ miles.
I will check Climber.org for TR's.
Thanks for the help!

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Ken
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I'll be darned if I can remember which month I was last there, but I do remember that the mosquitoes were not much of a problem at the Iva Belle hot springs. (which, by the way, are wonderful).

As I vaguely recall, the mosquitoes got really bad after second crossing heading south at the bottom of the valley, which is all pristine meadows and beautiful cascades (thus, the name). But the trail is basically next to water the whole way, so there are lots of mosquitoes in season, (and an amazing number of trout).

The hot springs will have some traffic, as it is basically a day's hike from Red's Meadow. There will be some traffic in Cascade Valley proper, but not much. In the hanging valleys where the lakes are located, you will be lucky to see people.

I wouldn't camp right at second crossing, unless your logistics work out that way, as there is wide-open camping all along the valley floor, that is much less populated.

Ken #51828 08/12/08 05:16 PM
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Ken,

Glad to hear about the abundance of trout since I am bringing my fishing gear. Thanks for the info. I will post a trip report when I get back.


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