Finished in just over 6 hours (running much of it). No smoke from the Schneider Springs fire. Did not notice mosquitos, just flies (some biting) mostly near water sources. Best water source was Bumping River about half way through. Huckleberries were ripe along some of the trail. Beautiful views of Mount Rainier!

The original plan for this week was a North Cascades trip, but my friend and I ended up forfeiting my permitted spots there for the PCT South of Mt. Rainier due to the fires and smoke up North.  Glad I did.  This is a really beautiful hike on well maintained trails.

The first leg of the hike (first 15 miles or so) before you climb into some of the higher and dryer elevations is REALLY buggy.  Clever folks who knew what to expect (unlike myself) had bug net hats or sleeves, since the minute you stop walking you are swarmed.  We have Premerin treated clothes which do help, but doesn't stop the bugs for going at any exposed skin.

Once you climb into the higher elevations the bugs aren't as bad.  We camped at Crag lake the 2nd night, which was beautiful with nice campsites, and Dewey lake the 3rd night.  The longest stretch without a water source was maybe 5 or 6 miles between Crag Lake, and a stream near a turnoff to American Lake.

We did see some bear scat and signs of bear activity; there are just a ton of meadows and small lakes that they probably love.  We did not actually see or hear any bears, or much wildlife at all, really other than the occasional chipmunk or squirrel.  Oh yes, and a million mosquitos.

Having set a July 8 backpacking trip date among friends way back in early 2021, we waited until a few days before trip to decide where to go. All the above normal temps (including oven-dome in late June!) really melted out the snow on the section we decided upon: Soda Springs Campground to Jug Lake to the PCT and on up to Chinook Pass, with camps at Crag Lake and American Lake (and an exploratory hike out to Cougar Lakes). The trails were pretty clear the entire route, with only a few downed trees, some horse hoof-eroded trails between Jug Lake and the junction with the PCT, and a few lingering large snow patches to cross above Crag Lake and above Two Lakes along the PCT. Snow fields/patches the rest of the route were numerous but quite easy to cross - just watch out for potential snow bridges over melting creeks and the trail. None are dangerous, but a fall through can sprain an ankle. Bugs were pretty much horendous from Soda Springs to Crag Lake. I slather with 75% DEET so escaped without too many bites. Above Crag, they mitigated a tiny bit, and on saddles in the trail/passes, the breeze helped blow the little vampires away. Swimming was fabulous in all the lakes. Wildflowers are just coming into full bloom in the high meadows with plenty along the trail at all elevations. Saw no one from Soda Springs until Cougar Lakes (folks come up there from Bumping Lake) then only 3 people until Dewey Lakes where the Saturday crowds were out in force. Week day backpacking is the best! haha. Saw fresh black bear tracks in the mud in around Frying Pan Lake and fresh cougar tracks in the snow above Two Lakes. So awesome.

Added 5.4 miles to this hike (SOBO) by starting at the crystal lodge parking lot. I gave this a rough road rating because at the time 410 was closed just past the ski resort, so the detours we took (NF 52 specifically) were awful, but typically the roads you need to take should be fine. I wanted to take 4 days to do this, but 3 worked just fine. This portion of trail is pretty easy by PCT standards, so expect to get more miles in than you expect. For full trail report with more pics, go to my website www.slowesthiker.com or click link below

Our party of four covered the 29 ish miles between White and Chinook. We took our time and did it in three overnights. Incredible views, especially day three which included the trail north of the Bumping River crossing. Campgrounds were empty and we had beautiful Alpine lakes all to ourselves. We fly fished with success at Fish Lake. Bugs and people were almost non existent but weather was still very good. Cold and dark at nights with no camp fires but well worth the trade off with the bugs. I highly recommend this section of the PCT, but assume it is very crowded prior to Labor Day. We saw almost no flowing water until Bumping River, and filtered from lakes, so plan ahead on that. All in all, an excellent experience.