Glacier Peak Circumnavigation — Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025

Trip Summary

I completed a 7-Day Circumnavigation of Glacier Peak starting August 17th and ending on the 23rd, going Counter-Clockwise. I added side trips up to Flower Dome, Sheep Camp, Cloudy Pass, Image Lake and a portion of the Grassy Point trail.

Day 1: White River Trailhead to Louis Creek Falls in Napeequa Valley

I started this hike counter-clockwise in case the Napeequa River was too high to cross. I figured it’s much easier to bail on Day 1 than to come across the River at the end of the trip, especially since the closest bail point, Little Giant Pass, was closed due to the Pomas Fire.

The initial hike up the White River Trail to the start of the Boulder Pass Trail is very easy to follow with minimal elevation gain. Boulder Pass was easy to follow with improving views up to the pass, but there is definitely a fair amount of elevation gain. My watch showed over 5,000 feet for the day over 16.5 miles.

The descent into Napeequa Valley starts off clear and easy to follow. The second half of the decent becomes much more overgrown with a handful of blowdowns throughout, but the tread was still clear up until you reach the Napeequa River.

The Napeequa River was just above my knees and moving somewhat swiftly. For reference, I’m 6’ 2”. I just took it slow, ensuring I had secure footholds in the bottom of the River. Trekking Poles are a life saver here. In the end, the crossing wasn’t too bad.

There was some minor route finding to pick up the Napeequa Valley Trail where I crossed the River. Once I picked it up, it was certainly overgrown, but easy to follow. There are stunning Valley Views all the way to the Louis Creek Falls Camp, which sits about a quarter mile before the falls. It’s a small site, good for one, maybe two 1-person tents. It was a great spot, with a clear view of the falls.

Day 2: Louis Creek to Sheep Camp

This was another big day. I clocked in another 5,000+ feet in elevation gain over 13 miles. The trail is more of the same through Napeequa to the start of the climb to High Pass. Overgrown in spots but plenty of tread.

The initial climb out of the Valley is steep and overgrown. There’s a lot of elevation gain in a short period from here to High Pass. Eventually you reach an opening that reveals the long way you still have to High Pass, but great views of Clark Mountain and Richardson Glacier back toward Napeequa. From this point on, the trail comes and goes. Some minor route finding is required. Generally follow the water and you’ll pick the trail back up. It’s a bit of a grind to the top, but you’ll be rewarded with great views at the Pass. This is the first good look at Glacier Peak.

The descent down High Pass was probably the sketchiest part of the whole trip. The trail was completely snow free but there is a decent sized boulder field to cross. My advice would be to stay on the lower side of the boulder field until you pick the trail back up. Just take it slow and use some caution and you’ll be fine.

The rest of the way is mostly down hill with easy and clear trails. I took a side trip to Flower Dome, which personally I would not recommend. Too many trees obstructed any views, so I didn’t think it was worth it. The trail through Buck Creek Pass offers continuous views of Glacier Peak. You’ll reach a forested section leading up the Sheep Camp Trail. The end of the Sheep Camp Trail opens up to stunning views of Glacier Peak, which was a great place to set up camp.

Day 3: Sheep Camp to Miners Ridge Trail/PCT Intersection Camp

The night before, I convinced myself to add a trip to Cloudy Pass for Day 3, which was worth it. The trail out to cloudy pass was easy to follow with some elevation, but it delivered excellent views overlooking the Lyman Lakes Area. I continued to Image Lake and took a couple Classic pictures of Glacier Peak overlooking the Lake. It was becoming overcast, which put a bit of a damper on my pictures but it was still a great view.

I spent entirely way too much time talking to someone staying at Image Lake, so I had to book it down Miners Ridge to my planned camp. Of course I could not resist a quick trip to the Miners Ridge Fire Tower, which was fantastic. Some of the best views of the trip. I then proceeded to book it 6 miles down Miners Ridge to where it meets the PCT and made it before nightfall.

Day 4: Miners Ridge/PCT Camp to Grassy Point Camp

The hike up to the Grassy Point was fairly uneventful. Easy trail with a decent amount of elevation gain along the PCT. This was a heavily forested section, but it eventually opens up to some really stunning views. I proceeded past the Grassy Point trail a half a mile to get water and then came back.

The plan was to go to Grassy Point, but I quickly realized the trail was not going to be easy to follow. I kept losing the trail, but picked it up, except it didn’t come close to the trail on ON X Backcountry. I picked out a high point and made it there. It offered decent enough views of Glacier Peak. I could kind of see a potential path forward, but I still had a long way to go and it was getting late and I was wiped. I set up camp back at a previously used site near the PCT. 

Day 5: Grassy Point to Mica Lake

The trail continues along the PCT through an easy to follow forested section until you descend down to Mill Creek. This area becomes much more overgrown with some trail washouts throughout. The ascent out of Mill creek is much of the same. Some really overgrown sections but a lot more blowdowns to navigate. The trail tread is still clear and easy to follow, but the brush certainly became frustrating at times. Eventually it eases up and you reach an opening with camps at the base of Mica Lake.

I continued up to Mica Lake, which provided a lot of sun exposure but the reward was a stunning lakeside camp that I couldn’t pass up. Arrived at 1:30 PM, with the plan to go further, but I just couldn’t pass this site up. I spent hours exploring the area and taking some time to just relax.

Day 6: Mica Lake to White Pass

This was a 20+ mile day since I decided to stay at Mica Lake. The entire trail was easy to follow, but there were a decent amount of blowdowns throughout to navigate. 

The hike out of Mica Lake takes you to Fire Creek Pass, which offers great 360 views. Just before you reach White Pass, you go over Red pass which offers even more stunning Mountain Views. If it’s clear enough, you may be able to see Mt. Rainier coming down from Red Pass. White Pass offers continuing surrounding Mountain Views.

Easy water sources are scarce through a lot of this section. So I would fill up at any chance you get and keep your water full once you come down from Fire Creek Pass.

Day 7: White Pass to White River Trailhead Via Indian Creek Trail

The last day I headed towards the dreaded Indian Creek Trail to complete the circumnavigation. I have to say, the Indian Creek Trail is nowhere near as bad as people act like it is. Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly overgrown sections that can get a bit frustrating at times. It does get head high in spots, but the trail tread is there and it’s consistently broken up by forested sections to give you a break. It’s not a constant 8+ mile stretch of brush. The last 4-5 miles to the White River Trailhead has seen significant trail work so that was easy to follow the rest of the way out to complete the loop.

It’s also worth noting, if you’re looking at circumnavigating Glacier Peak, do NOT use the White River Trail to do so. The White River trail is ok maybe a mile or two past the junction with boulder pass and maybe a mile or so off the PCT. Everything in between has not been maintained for 20+ years and is next to impossible to navigate. Use Indian Creek, it’s really not that bad, certainly better than White River.

Trip Conclusions

This was one of, if not the best backpacking trips I’ve ever done. I was left very impressed with the Glacier Peak Wilderness. A true backpackers paradise. I don’t understand why it doesn’t get more recognition, but then again maybe that’s a good thing as less recognition keeps it more primitive. Many PCT hikers said that the Glacier Peak stretch was the best section of the PCT, so that says a lot about this place. Glacier Peak is special and I’m already planning a return trip. With that said, this hike is not for beginning backpackers. Without side trips added, this loop is a minimum of 90 miles with significant elevation gains of 25,000+ feet through a remote and primitive wilderness area.