7/24, Saturday. Alarm at 4am, because we were supposed to be ready by 5am (really, no need to be this early). Ate a big breakfast. The two girls, C and K, arrived in K's car, Y drove by himself. We started hiking in around 5:20. Quite some down trees blocking the trail, as well as some minor creek crossings. Chatting along the trail. C was looking for an easy backpack with her brother, and Y for his son. I try to tell Y that this is a perfect destination for beginners, because it's easy and pretty. We arrived at Spider Meadow in 2 hours, and as soon as Y saw the beautiful valley (still in shade), he nodded and said he'd be back with his son in 2 weeks! We took a break here. There were already many tents. A deer was visiting some of them. Corn lily and valerian is most common here. Above photo was taken the 2nd day, on the hike out, when the meadow was in the sun.
Continued towards Phelps Basin. Going through upper meadow (more trees). Well marked junction (left to Spider Gap). 
It was still in shade when we arrived. Pitched tents, and took a break. There was already a tent here. K has been on night shift for 3 months, so need a nap. As soon as the sun shone on our tents, it was getting uncomfortably warm. Some bugs. Elevation ~5400'.
Around 9:30am, we headed up towards the source of Phelps Creek and above. Took ice axe and microspikes (didn't use either). There is a trail to follow, though heather meadow. The trail was getting steeper, and I was lagging behind. Was feeling faint. I should have refueled while at camp. By now, my 4:30am breakfast had evaporated. I had to make a couple of stops to refuel sugar (dried apricot, energy chew).
Once above the vegetation, no more bugs, maybe ~7000'. We headed to Dumbell first. I was happy to see snow, put some in my water bottle. Here, we met 3 Indian guys running down. Above snow is rock and scree, but not too steep. The steeper higher section is solid. Fun scramble. 
I just realized that I lost my helmet. Must have left where I was refueling in a frail mind. R insisted me wearing his helmet. He was leading ahead, and on the way down, he stayed behind, so to avoid getting hit by the rocks we kicked loose.
We had the summit (8421') all to ourselves. We stayed about an hour here, resting, lunch, identifying all the peaks around. They signed the summit registry. R brought saki to toast at the summit. The top east rock had quite some flying ants. A few flies and lady bugs other places.
Going down the same way. Half way down the scree, we crossed the scree slope, and scrambled up to a saddle, towards Greenwood. From there, a narrow ledge with steep drop, but solid.
At the end of the ledge, it's a basin with a beautiful tarn. Going a bit down the snow field and then back up to the gentle-ish scree slope.
Again, we stayed ~1 hour on the summit (8415'), toasted the summit with the leftover saki. View is again exceptional. Took many group photos. They signed the summit registry. From here, we could see 4 plumes of wild fire to the NE.
Down as we came. Saw 1 tent in the upper heather meadow. 2 more tents (same group) in Phelps Basin. This area actually doesn't have many flat campable ground. We went to bed early. Mosquitoes. Almost full moon. Bright all night long.
7/25, Sunday. Lazy morning. We didn't pack up and leave until way past 9am. A lot of folks hiking out at the same time.
Back at the TH ~noon. R cut a watermelon to share. I collected the peels. Lunched at 59er Dinner at Coles Corner. They have outdoor seating. Fast service. Food is acceptable. $15 for a burger. Price is going up everywhere. A few chicken walking around under the tables picking up leftoevers. By the time we were ready to drive out, Google told us 50+ minute delay on Hwy-2. C and K decided to chill by Nason Creek nearby. The other 4 headed back, since this traffic jam wouldn't dissipate until late evening. H dropped me at home.
This is a keeper, worth repeating. Condition is good now (the ledge should only be attempted snow-free). Beautiful, not too dangerous, short and scenic approach. However, I'd leave Seattle on Friday ~7pm, and start hiking on Saturday ~7am, hike out ~7am on Sunday and get to TH at 10am, so to avoid traffic on Hwy-2.
More photos from the group.
