This is one of my favorite hikes possibly ever????! 

The road up is very well maintained. I imagine most any car could make it up to the trailhead parking lot. 

I did this clockwise, against most of the advice listed in other trail reports and honestly... no regrets! It was great to get a majority of the mileage (19 miles) done the first day while we were fresh, and end with the remaining (13 miles) the second day. The views are far more exciting the first day - expansive, awe inspiring, STUNNING. 

The last push up and descent down to Blue Lake were a rough way to end the first day, but totally doable! Several camping spots available, and an open air toilet <3 Lake was cold but if you enjoy cold water, you could paddle around a bit. I, myself, did a quick dip. 

What a treat to hike along part of the PCT! Witnessed several thru-hikers and the trail itself was pristine. That is until the end of day 2... the steep descent was not only lacking very necessary switch backs, but also had several down trees that blocked the trail. Just be careful and beware until trail crews are able to get out there! There were walk arounds for all obstructions. 

Pretty buggy but not absurd. Not busy. Lots of water sources, wildflowers, butterflies and MARMOTS! Saw probably 20 total the second day early in the morning. 

#HikeaThon

I agree with previous reports.
Everything was great, but coming down off Pilot Ridge was super steep with several blow downs to navigate. Bugs were only an annoyance when we stopped. Lots of wildflowers blooming. And plenty of berries to munch on, too. Definitely on my "do again" list!

Did a modified version of this loop clockwise, including a visit to Glacier Peak meadows, and it was the most beautiful trip we've done in WA. Everything blooming in the constant meadows. We took our time, and took four days. The weather was uniformly clear and hot. In fact, heat was one of the biggest challenges of this trip. After the first day, when we camped at the base of the climb, you are above timberline and in the sun the majority of the time. 

Highly recommend Glaicer Peak meadows, as the campsite is on a knoll looking directly at the peak above you. Our two boys are grown young men now and happily have reserves of energy now gone from my wife and I. They explored up into the cirque of the lake toward the peak and swam in the glacial milk waters. 

A note on bugs. As bugs go, you couldn't complain. They were present, and would keep you moving or in your tent near dinner time, but compared to really buggy places, they were nothing. No Canadian Rockies like hordes. Or even Sierra meadow. You are high enough and maybe it was late enough that they are suppressed. Horse flies an annoyance, and some biting fly that was laughably easy to kill before they bit. 

Most trail in great shape. Thanks trail workers! Only place with poor trail conditions is Pilot Ridge. It is especially bad on the climb/descent to North Fork Sauk, with quite a few trees down that require navigation. Nothing serious, but not smooth walking. 

We took the high route to Blue Lake, and it's as easy and good as any other parts of the trail until the very top on the south side. That last stretch may distress someone with fear of exposure buy my wife did fine and she is no fan of exposure. The camping at Blue Lake was sublime. We swam and luxuriated in the cold lake. We had been sweating the whole hike. Hot! 

Nothing to say that hasn't been said otherwise. Our favorite overnight hike in the State. NO bears. Some testosterone yahoo had a 9mm strapped to his chest and fired it near us on the switchbacks climbing up to White Pass. We met him soon after he fired the gun and he climbed he did it scare off a bear that was approaching him. So unlikely. So ignorant. So sad. 

One of the most incredible things about this ridge walk is how many different watersheds you look down into. We counted seven from Red Pass over to Blue Lake. You are literally traversing the spine of the mountains, with massive drainages on all sides. What a wonderland of natural systems and beauty. 

A final word on people. It was not too busy, at all. We were never running into many people. We never had trouble getting camping, even at Blue Lake. Given the divine beauty of this area, it is a lot of work, and people seem to stay away for whatever reasons. So be it. Can't wait to go back. 

Trailhead & Parking

The forest road to the North Sauk River Trailhead is long but in good condition - sedan-passable without issue. When we arrived Thursday morning, plenty of parking was still available, but by Sunday it was packed with cars overflowing down the road. There is a fee here, and apparently I had the wrong type of parking pass, since when I returned to my truck a ranger had left a note with a QR code for me to scan to properly pay the fee.

Day 1: North Sauk River Trailhead → White Pass

Trail begins with a pleasant and steady climb through old-growth forest, paralleling the river. We stopped for lunch at Mackinaw Shelter. The long switchback climb afterward was a slog with a full stomach and afternoon heat. Try to hit this section early in the day for cooler temps.

The climb is a classic switchback grind, but offers increasing views as you approach treeline. There are a few water sources along the way (small streams and cascades).

We found a sheltered site off the ridge. There’s a trickling stream through camp for water, but it’s quite shallow and will probably be a series of stillwater puddles later in the summer.

Day 2: White Pass → Blue Lake (via Blue Lake High Route)

Woke up to thick cloud cover that quickly burned off, revealing a stunning alpine meadow. This section was a highlight of the trip - hours of panoramic views and rolling terrain.

Blue Lake High Route: We were pleasantly surprised. Despite mixed reports, this section wasn’t as difficult as expected - steep and exposed, yes, but it did not feel dangerous, and trail conditions were solid in dry weather. The descent, however, was looser with some scree and required more attention.

Camping at Blue Lake: A handful of prime spots sit lakeside, with more tucked into the hills above. We were first to arrive around 1pm, and took the secluded site on the west shore with great water access. Shared a peaceful evening with a few other groups.

Day 3: Blue Lake → Trailhead

This day opens with more jaw-dropping views along Pilot Ridge. Eventually, you descend steeply through forest, a long grind that felt steeper and more relentless than the White Pass ascent. Lots of blowdown to navigate along this stretch.

As someone nursing bad blisters, this descent was particularly brutal.

Other Notes:

• Wildlife & Nature: Wildflowers were abundant. Marmots were active and vocal. Also heard many sooty grouse vibrating their bassy calls through the forest. No bear sightings or bear trace.

• Fishing: Caught 6–8” rainbows in mid-elevation creeks and 8–12” cutthroats at Blue Lake - very active.

• Bugs: Not bad while hiking, but they came out at camp. I had pre-treated our gear with permethrin and used picaridin lotion twice a day. Zero bites. Highly recommend this combo.

• Water Crossings: There are two crossings over the North Sauk, and both have sturdy log bridges. The first one (going clockwise) is a bit higher up over the river, and has handrails, though some sections of handrail are damaged/missing. The second log bridge is lower and wider, with no handrails. I didn't find either of them difficult to cross.

• Trail Difficulty: I’d call this a strenuous loop with three major challenges. 1) Climb to White Pass, 2) Blue Lake High Route, 3) Descent off Pilot Ridge. Of these, the Day 1 climb was the crux.

Final Thoughts:

This is a 5-star loop and one of the best I've done. A bang for your buck trail that gives you massive scenery dividends after a tough climb. Gorgeous alpine terrain, well-placed camps, abundant water (for now), and unforgettable views. Hike it clockwise. You won’t regret it!

Great trail, though if you go clockwise, there's a brutal uphill/downhill right before you hit blue lake, and the switchbacks for the final downhill truly feel like they take forever. Right now, the bugs are at what has to be their worst – I was in long sleeves, long pants, and a headnet (and who knows hot much DEET) and I still have 55 bug bites (mosquitoes and biting flies) from 3 days/2 nights. The sunset and morning fog at Blue Lake was stunning, though you'll want to get there early to get one of the few camp spots along the lake (we did not :( ). Also, while the only blowdowns were on the final descent, and they weren't too bad to navigate around, there were a couple of places going along the PCT and a little on Pilot Ridge Trail where the meadow has totally grown into the trail, so be ready to push through bushes. No chance of losing your way, but good to be prepared for — long pants would be my suggestion. Excellent views of the surrounding mountains, and a lovely little set of lakes in the middle.