Spent 4 days in the glorious Glacier Peak wilderness. I hiked in to Glacier Peak Meadows via North Fork Sauk and the PCT through Red Pass. I intended to head into the Glacier Peak basin from the Meadows, because according to Green Trails there's a climber's trail connecting them, but I didn't find it. So I hiked around via Foam Creek, which is a gorgeous, rugged little trail populated by herds of marmots. The last section is definitely scrambley so be judicious about the exposure. Views abound, especially facing south on the PCT. If you're hiking north, take a few moments to stop and turn around. White Chuck Cinder Cone is impossible to miss as you pass it, and I wish I'd googled it before leaving home because I would have paid more attention, as it's an interesting volcanic feature in the area.
Wildflowers are mostly - but not totally - finished, but blueberries are still around, especially on the climb from the Sauk to the PCT (I tried to leave you guys some :).
Bugs were definitely annoying, but for the most part were flies and not mosquitos, which is preferable. I tried out a picaridin spray the first two days and skipped it the last two days, and it didn't seem to make much of a difference.
The Meadows is a busy thru-hiker pit stop, and the sites were almost full the night I was there. Water is easily accessible but the nearest privy is White Pass (which has two, but is dry). White Pass camp is pretty and has some nice views, while the Meadows are a bit more dramatic. Remember your blue bag(s) if you're heading into the GP basin.
The PCTA has done recent work on the trail south of Red Pass - thanks as always to trail workers!
Comments