We did a traverse up Perry Creek climbing Spickard and Redoubt on the way to Whatcom Pass and Challanger. Perry Creek was pretty brutal - pushing up through an old burn at the entrance of the Perry Creek Basin. Nice ascent from the valley to the pass next to Spickard. Fabulous area - If (when) I go again, I'd probably come from the North and would agree with Lowell - go before the valleys fill with alder and devil's club (although the awesome weather usually hits in late July).
The traverse was interesting, but some slow stretches with very heavy brush. Give yourself a week - why the heck not and the weather can be tricky.
We had horrendous bugs and mosquitos all the way to 9000 ft. Really brutal. The way the snow pack is going, this may be another year of bugs. Bring the juice.
