This is a burly hike. We camped at Waptus Lake the first night to refuel and recharge in order to tackle the butt grind up to Spade Lake. The trail up to Spade Lake is rather steep and fairly challenging with a 60 lb pack on, so we took our time treading up the side of the mountain. The views as we were approaching the highest elevation were phenomenal, looking towards Bear's Breast and the glaciers to the west. Parts of the trail towards the top were treacherous, including loose gravel, sudden drop-offs, and thick brush, which made it a bit difficult to maintain a solid pace. But, as the landscape starts to change and the trail becomes more exposed, it was all the more enticing to get this grand view of Spade Lake up at the top. Spade Lake is absolutely breathtaking, and worth every grueling step. We camped a ways back from the water so we could wake up to the epic view of Mt. Daniel towering over the lake. The wind was a bit rough throughout the night, hence the small rock wall at the campsite. Star-gazing was epic. Plan at least 8 hours to get down to the parking lot from the lake, if you're attempting to trek back all in one day. I would recommend sturdy boots with ankle support, wind-resistant and water-resistant gear, 0 degree sleeping bag with liner, TWO trekking poles (for much-needed balance support), swim suit, and a rad camera, because there's so much beauty to capture. One note - the river crossing is at the Horse Ford, not the Bridge crossing. The bridge is out and the river is a bit more treacherous to cross in this area. Also, it's hard to find the trail when crossing where the bridge used to be. The horse trail is an easy crossing and a good cold hydrotherapy break for your feet.
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