White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020

Found: sleeping pad. 425-530-2358

I hiked this just as the description suggests, heading up to White Pass, then continuing on the PCT to the Bald Mountain Trail junction at Dishpan Gap, camping there, then down to the Blue Lakes before getting on the Pilot Ridge trail back to the North Fork Sauk. It wasn’t difficult to navigate using only the WTA description—junctions were marked with signs except for the Blue Lakes High Route, which is marked with a cairn of sticks, and the log across the North Fork Sauk river at the end of the Pilot Ridge trail is flagged (and not a scary crossing—nice and low). The junction for the Pilot Ridge trail at Blue Lake took a little bit of trial and error to find because there are lots of little trails through the camping area—cross the stream and then angle left (The toilet is also down and to the left) and you’ll start walking down in the direction of Little Blue Lake, but there will eventually be a signed junction to continue toward Little Blue Lake or to head up the hill on your right. The road in was fine for my Ford Focus. The trail was in great condition, two or three big logs to climb over on the Pilot Ridge trail. I did take the Blue Lakes High route and going in that direction it wasn’t too scary, but I was happy to have trekking poles. No snow or anything. I was too much of a pansy to make it to the top of Johnson Mountain, just because it was such a narrow trail on such a steep ledge (heights!). Poles would be great for that trail too. I was glad I went at least partway up Johnson Mountain before turning back because the views were truly spectacular. I lucked out with the weather. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful trail. There are still many pretty wildflowers up there, especially the lupine on the ridge going up toward Johnson mountain—the sound of the bees was deafening. The en masse flower shows in some spots are definitely past their peak but the huckleberries are starting their seasonal show, and there are lots of berries. There were several groups of hikers when I was going in on Tuesday but coming out on Wednesday I had the trail to myself after leaving the approximate vicinity of the Blue Lakes. The Pilot Ridge trail was especially stunning but arduous to eventually climb down—it would be a terrific leg stretcher to hike up, however in cool forest all the way. I would probably do it in the opposite direction next time, but six to one half dozen the other. I didn’t have issues with bugs even though there wasn’t much wind—couple of biting flies. Saw several ptarmigans (I think?). All in all, pretty perfect conditions. I originally planned to do it in three days but I pushed myself to get in and out in two because my 17-month-old son hadn’t been away from mama overnight yet. But for me it would have been more pleasant to follow my original plan. Camping was nice at White Pass and Blue Lake as the description suggests and there were some nice spots around (I think) Indian Pass, but not much between Blue Lakes and the trailhead, a couple wide shady spots in the trail for a small tent before finally some good spots all the way down on the river—you might as well get back to your car at the point!