White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop, North Fork Sauk River — Friday, Jul. 24, 2020

Arrived at the North Fork Sauk TH around 1130 on Friday morning and the parking lot was packed. There is a toilet at the TH if needed. The North Fork Sauk trail is in good shape and starts out mild following the river.  After about mile 5.5 you head up some switch backs which will make you sweat. From the top you intersect with the PCT and head south towards White Pass camp.  It is beautiful! Wild flowers out and bright green meadows, just lovely.  Plenty of camp space at White Pass, two toilets.  This is a spot where a lot were camping to climb Glacier Peak as well. 

Day 2 we took a short jont without packs back N on PCT to climb up Red Pass to get a look at Glacier Peak; Great views, lots of snow in the basins there.  Then headed S on PCT towards Dishpan Gap. The trail in good shape, some snow fields to cross (not difficult), but these should be melted off in a week I would guess in this sun. This part of the PCT is a nice mild hike, very nice.  From Dishpan we took the trail towards Blue Lakes.  We opted to take the longer route to the lakes instead of the high route to upper Blue lake because we were unsure of how sketchy the snow would be to cross up there.  The trail around adds about 4 miles and was difficult to find at times due to snow.  But it is all passible. We camped at lower Blue lake and had the camp to ourselves.  Bugs were out in full force.  

Next day we headed out on the Pilot Ridge Trail.  Grab water at the lake, because there is no reliable water until you get down to the river. This a beautiful ridge walk with views on both sides.  It was hot out, but fortunately once you get past the open ridge most of the hike out is shaded.  The last bit of down back to the North Fork Sauk trail is a punishing few miles and will make you think you need knee replacements.  This was a beautiful loop hike with plenty of views, wild life (saw numerous marmots and bear) and wildflowers.