Washington backpacking at it’s finest! This is a 5-star loop, with the only thing bringing it back to reality being the deluge of mosquitoes and flies. We looked at some other shorter and/or less popular loop hike options for a long weekend, but decided to go all-in on this one because of the promise of excellent un-ending views, and so glad we did. Less busy than I’d expected (but maybe that’s the Seattle-area hiker in me talking). Trail was overall quite smooth and easy traveling.
Day 1: TH to White Pass. Garmin stats: 10.5 mi, 4300 ft gain. We hiked this loop in the standard direction, starting at the N. Fork Sauk trailhead on Saturday around 10 am. Trailhead was pretty full so we had to park a couple hundred meters down the road, but there’s plenty of pull-outs to make this easy to do. Trailhead privy A+. Saw only a few other hikers on the trail (mostly going down, presumably from summiting Glacier Peak). Was pleasantly surprised at the intermittent tree cover all the way through the climb (ample opportunities for rest breaks in the shade). Set up camp at White Pass with only a handful of other groups, most seemingly either preparing for or returning from Glacier Peak. We made a quick jaunt up a small boot trail to the nearby ridge for sunset — spectacular. A pair of deer traipsed right through our camp, but were respectful. 0 snow patches.
Day 2: White Pass to Blue Lake via High Route. Garmin stats: 7.8 mi (underestimate?), 2000 ft gain. Hike from White Pass to Blue Lake is packed with excellent views - particularly of Glacier Peak, and also the Cascades and even to Rainier down South. More open (sunny/exposed) than the previous day. Tons of very bold marmots. Wildflowers galore. We took the “High Route” to blue lake. I had been somewhat worried based on previous reports, but nothing to worry about. It’s a climb, but I didn’t find it particularly scary and there were only the smallest of snow patches on the descent to blue lake (not even warranting donning the microspikes we’d brought). And excellent view from the top. Camps were relatively full at Blue Lake on a Sunday, but plenty of little tent spots near the lake. I had expected to swim but there was still ice/snow in the lake (so cold!!) though others were certainly braver.
Day 2 side trip: Blue Lake to Johnson Peak. Garmin stats: 4 mi RT (over-estimate?), 1400 ft gain. I decided to take a solo jaunt up Johnson Mountain in the evening after setting up camp, partially to avoid sitting around with all the mosquitoes. It’s a steady climb but so worth the views! 360 degrees of pure mountain goodness — could even see Baker! It was rad to be up there by myself.
Day 3: Blue Lake to TH. Garmin stats: 10 mi, 1700 ft gain, 5000 ft down. A couple more snow field crossings in the first mile or so of the Pilot Ridge trail, but easy/not dangerous to cross, or easy enough to skirt below. More solidly stunning views, especially of Sloan Peak. The first couple miles of the Pilot Ridge trail are stunning meadows, before it enters trees. Bugs felt extra bad this day, keeping our stops short. The dreaded 5000 ft drop from the Pilot Ridge trail down to the river were indeed painful. The trail wasn’t particularly rocky, but my feet were definitely complaining (but also - made it fine). There was a more solid log than I’d expected for crossing the Sauk River, but I was glad to have a pole. I’d recommend bringing poles for this part (& the descent). Another note: blueberries along most of the trail seemed a couple weeks early, but a couple bushes near the river were excellent now!
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