A work crew is using explosives near this route (White Mountain area) from the 9-15 August, but the trail is not closed. Possible noise and delays. However, the 7 mile final section of road going to this trailhead will be closed Aug 19-30. Call 360-436-1155 for info.

I started my clockwise 3 day version of this hike at 2:15 pm on a Tuesday. If you're doing 3 days as well I recommend this time as it puts you above the tree line with late afternoon sun behind you at a pleasant angle for nice temps, no glare, and good coloration of the landscape. If you're doing two days consider an 11:00 am start for some of this benefit but with enough time to reach Blue Lakes camp before dark. 

The 1st 1.9 miles of the trail are old growth with smooth, manicured tread, and the sounds of the North Fork Sauk River running nearby. It was within this section that I lucked upon two unlikely looking trail workers. Juli & Kal Cia ...all combined 200lbs (: of them, wielding a huge hand saw to cut through a 16' diameter(?) newly fallen tree. Thanks girls, you seriously rock!

At the Pilot Ridge trail junction, go straight/left and continue until you get to a "shelter" on your right. Actually, a pile of wood rubble. Go to the river and fill up if you don't have at least 32oz of h2o or you'll regret it. You're about to turn UP into a 3 mile 3k' section section of trail that, thankfully, passes among the sporadic shelter of trees 2/3 of the way, but it's still steep and hot. Emerging eventually into a hillside meadow with views and a good supply of blueberries (at the time of this writing). From this point until half way between Blue lakes and the trailhead, many miles ahead, views abound and there's no shade so I was happy for the cover of my hat.

After camping just below White Pass I rose early and enjoyed jaw dropping views and a relatively short hike to Blue Lakes. In the middle-ish taking a side trip up a peak (name?) for a coffee and brunch break with incredible views. At Dishpan Gap I hung a right, as per the trail description, and took the high route up and over the ridge above Blue lakes. This is .5 miles and 700 ft gain. Beautiful without any serious exposure on the upside. Once over the ridge it's similar with two notes. I would personally not consider doing this if there was snow! Second, the notes mention scree fields and footing. I estimate the slippery section to be only 20' wide and near to the bottom. Easy. I don't use them, but surely many may find comfort in the use of poles on the upper route do to the narrowness and steepness of the trail.

The lakes are gorgeous and incredibly clear. Swimmable temp by alpine lake standards. So blue. Trout, fishing birds of prey, and an amazing hillside backdrop to ponder through a long day of snacking, reading (audiobook actually), and quiet contemplation.

On day three the trail was easily obtained by reading the trail description. I didn't venture up Johnson Mountain as the view seemed likely to be similar to the one I got on my side trip the previous day albeit from a slightly different angle and somewhat greater elevation. I'm glad I didn't because this was a strenuous day by the end. The views are superb right up until the last third when you again regain the welcome shade of trees, and that's also when you encounter a lot of up and down elevation. Much of it with the now familiar 1k' per mile theme. Lots of mushrooms, marmots, flowers and chipmunks. One of my favorite hikes. 

The biting flies and mosquitos were plentiful and at times, annoying, but my deet-free repellent kept them from biting me. Mostly. 

Getting a later start on Monday, we took two days to hike to White Pass, staying the first night at the Mackinaw Shelter camp (shelter is just a pile of rubble now) and tackling the steep uphill grind the next morning.  After setting up camp below White Pass we hiked over to Red Pass in the afternoon.  The clouds parted and the sun shone as we took in the amazing views of the valley and Glacier Peak. 

Wednesday the clouds were all tangled on the ridge and mist turned to rain as the day progressed.  We day-hiked over to Indian Pass where we discovered a very nice established campsite under trees and enjoyed our lunch relatively out of the wet.  That night the wind picked up and the rain continued.  The next morning did not promise the blue skies and sun we hoped for, so we decided to hike out the way we had come instead of doing the complete loop.

On our way down, we passed a Forest Service crew heading up for a week of trail work, so the trails up to and around White Pass should be nicely passable the rest of the summer.  Also, the road was being graded when we drove in on Monday, which eliminated the worst of the potholes.

My trip report won't add a ton of value, as the description on Pilot Ridge Loop main page and last trip report are detailed and accurate.

I caught Mountain Loop Hwy out of Darrington. FR 49 has some potholes, but road was manageable, especially for my Outback. I arrived at trailhead late Thursday (4th of July) afternoon. All of the parking spots next to trailhead was full, but I was able to park between 2 trees by the campsites.

Public service announcement: Learn to park and don't park in the middle of the road so other cars can get by!!!

I began hiking on North Fork Sauk River Trail ~4:30 pm. Passed the junction to Pilot Ridge Trail (campsite here). 2 campsites with water access (on left and other on right) ~2,799'.  Since I got a late start, I setup at one of the many camps (Mackinaw Shelter?) ~2,957' - bathroom and river access. The next day, start switchbacks and the elevation gain. Amazing views and lots of flowers plus a couple marmots :) Next water source/small stream (~5,481') and another just before junction with PCT. Another small stream just after PCT junction. Cross over first snow patch across trail. Turned right (south) on PCT. Ideally, I would have stayed at White Pass. The view on a clear day would be awesome. Unfortunately the weather wasn't clear, so I didn't get the full benefit of the views. After White Pass there aren't as many flowers and number of snow patches that are easy to cross increase. ~5,538 pond with campsite. Another pond ~5,378'. @~5,321' there's stream.  ~4,973' there is a cap by the meadow. The pond in meadow is dirty, so fill up water at stream beforehand. By Meander Meadows trail junction (~5,408) there is a camp with view. There is camp by junction of Bald Eagle Trail & PCT. Turn right on Bald Eagle trail. Pass multiple water sources (streams). At next junction, took Blue Lake High Route - more and more and more climbing! The trail is easy to follow and no snow, but the trail is very narrow and rocky with some steep drop offs. After finally reaching the top, awesome views with first glimpse of Blue Lake. Begin steep descent; continue to watch your footing. Cross some more snow just before lake. I walked around Blue Lake trying to find a campsite, but all appeared to be taken and I didn't want to be rude and setup camp right next to another party. I caught trail to right of outlet and headed ~.5 mile down to Little Blue Lake. There was no one else camped there. The camps are not on the lake. The mosquitoes were swarming all around me. I thought about heading back toward Blue Lake, but I didn't have it in me (I was so exhausted and hungry!) and didn't know where I would camp by junction of .  The next morning, I did short walk down to the stream. As I was filtering water, I watched a couple marmots. Fill up with water as you won't have another water source until you begin heading down toward river (~4,729'). I headed back toward Blue Lake, but headed left on Pilot Ridge trail up hillside. Tons of flowers! At times I questioned if I was on the trail, as it was slightly overgrown. At end of very long switchback, reach the ridge. Shortly thereafter reach junction Johnson Mountain trail. Stay left on Pilot Ridge trail. No campsites as trail is cut in hillside. There was one patch of snow that I tried to go around and fell on my front side and slid a bit down the hill. Trail went up and down and up and down.  ~5,404' there is a flat area where a tent could be setup (view of mountains). Begin the downward knee jarring descent. Finally come to NF Sauk river. Campsite available. I ate some blueberries after 2 of the bushes which bloomed. I evaluated the situation trying to figure out the best the way cross the river. Just down river of where trail approaches river is a single log that was fairly easy to cross, even for wussies like me who don't like walking on logs over water. Back to trailhead. Most of the campsites were occupied.

What a spectacular hike!  We left the trailhead around 11:45AM and didn’t see any other parties on the trail until about 7 miles in. We got to the TH in a Prius (what what) so no excuses.  We did bottom out once...but it wasn’t that bad. The first six or so miles of the N. Fork Sauk Trail are cruiser forest romping. After about 6 miles, the trail starts heading upwards (and upwards) but all very reasonable switchbacks.  Plus, that’s when the wildflowers start in earnest - cliff paintbrush, columbine, some sort of orange lily.   There is an AWESOME meadow traverse along the PCT heading into White Pass that is just the best.  Many marmot friends.   We camped at White Pass and were the 2nd party to roll in, meaning we got the pick of the campsite litter.  Patchy snow in the camping area, but none where the campsites are.  Kind of buggy. 

On the 2nd day, we headed southbound on the PCT towards Blue Lake.  There was patchy snow - but very easy to cross.  Momo (the dog) loves a good snow rompus so we were happy to have it.  There was a hillside of mucho marmots about 1 mile out of camp.  I think we saw at least 7.   Pretty good views of Glacier from this vantage point and a ton of avalanche lilies.  Dropping down into Indian Pass was lovely and climb back out was very chill.  We took the Blue Lakes High Route and felt very foolish for carrying ice axes. No snow on the trail at all coming down from the pass.  Oh well.  We got the tent set up before a bout of afternoon thunderstorms and rain that gave Momo fits.   It was about as buggy as White Pass.   The lake was gorgeous!

Day 3, we headed towards pilot ridge and got turned around a little leaving camp.  There are a TON of minor trails snaking through camp, but eventually we found the right one (you pass the privy on the left) and head into what seems like a trail that is too brushy to be the right one.  The brush disappears pretty quickly and the trail drops down to the Bald Eagle Junction.  There were stupid amounts of flowers on the traverse out of the lake.  We took a side trip up Johnson Mountain (SO GOOD) and it seemed to only add a mile to the day.   We dropped our packs before the climb so it was quick getting up. The views of Glacier were sublime.  We also saw Rainier and Baker.

No running water from Blue Lake to about 2 miles above the river.  Fill up before you leave the lake!

Pilot Ridge was excellent.  More avalanche lilies.  Fun terrain.  The trail got slightly indistinct at times, but nothing major.   Mega elevation loss (knees, oof) down the river.   Log crossing was fine.  Momo looked slightly nervous, but she was so brave.  From the junction, only another few miles to the TH.   Milkshakes (and onion rings) at the Fountain Drive-In in Arlington - highly recommended. 

Major notes: Don’t need an ice axe, the Blue Lakes High Route is very easy to follow, no water from Blue Lakes to a nice stream about 2 miles from the river,  definitely hike up Johnson Mountain.  Not to be missed! 

the road getting to the trail head has a couple of really large potholes that are trickier to maneuver than you would think. We did it in a Subaru and were okay. Still a little early for this backpacking trip I would say. We stayed one night as we were not properly prepared for the snow and wind. Visibility was very bad up where you meet the pct.