North Fork Sauk River — Saturday, Jun. 20, 2015

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

I've hiked the North Fork Sauk River trail twice before but never made it up to White Pass due to snow or insufficient time, so that was today's goal. The access road from the Mountain Loop Highway is rough (potholes and washboards) but should be passable for almost anyone. By the time I got to the trailhead around noon, the parking lot was full and cars were parking along the road. A few bugs at the trailhead motivated me to put on DEET, but not sure it was necessary once I got moving. The trail is in great shape, with no blow-downs or other major issues to report. The first five miles roll up and down as you climb gently toward the Mackinaw Shelter. The trail mostly sticks to thick forest, but you'll cross a few small streams and wade through overgrown raspberry bushes and other spring growth as you cross a handful of avalanche chutes. I was wearing shorts and a few stinging nettles got my shins, but they weren't bad enough to require long pants. There are great camping sites near the Red Creek Bridge at about 4 miles and all around the Mackinaw Shelter at about 5.5 miles. Both are good destinations for shorter day hikes. Those heading onward should take a water and snack break at the shelter, as you'll gain about 3,000 feet in the next four miles. Leaving the shelter, you immediately start the ascent; the trees quickly thin out and the trail begins switch-backing up an avalanche chute near the head of the valley. The first half-dozen or so turns are the steepest at over 20% grade, and this section of the trail is rocky, dry, and has very little shade except for a short belt of trees that you pass through several times. After about a mile, the grade eases off a little and the switchback segments become longer, but it's still a workout. Views begin to open up of the ridge above, as well as Sloan Peak and the Monte Cristo massif to the west. Wildflowers show up among the thick growth in the avalanche chutes and grow more and more impressive the higher you climb. After a final turn, the trail traverses the increasingly steep slopes of the ridge for maybe a mile before finally meeting the PCT. White Pass is a short and level 0.75 miles "south" (really mostly east) along the PCT, and offers impressive views of the upper White River valley, Indian Head Mountain, Mt. Stuart, Mt. Daniel, and many other peaks on the southern horizon. Camping areas and a backcountry toilet are just below the pass itself. Glacier Peak remains hidden behind the ridge to the north; climbers should take the Foam Creek spur trail and then follow a rough boot path into the White Chuck basin. With a little time remaining, I retraced my steps on the PCT and continued to Red Pass. The PCT beyond the Sauk River trail junction is narrower, steeper, and rocky and slumping in places, so observe the no stock warning sign. The wildflowers in this section were incredible, rivaling those on Flower Dome and Liberty Cap east of Glacier Peak. One small snow bank persisted across the trail just before Red Pass, but it was easily crossed. The upper White Chuck valley beyond it was still pretty snowy. Glacier Peak looms across the basin, almost close enough to touch. The summit was mostly cloud-covered but occasionally peeked out between drifting cumulus. Rainier made an appearance far to south. This is an incredibly scenic area and one I look forward to spending more time in on a backpacking trip before too long. The price of admission is a long and uneventful (but pleasant) approach on the Sauk River trail, but it's well worth it.