Wildfire Alert: The Airplane Lake Fire is approximately 6 mi (as the crow flies) east of White Pass on the north flank of Mt. Saul. Smoke is visible from White Pass. There are currently no trail closures at this time. Approximate location of fire is 48.015550, -121.005603. The wildfire did not grow in size the 4 days were were up there. Conditions may change without warning.
We made White Pass an out-and-back basecamp as a multiday backpacking trip via the North Fork Sauk trail. Trail is in great condition. Brushy on the way up, but trail crews had cleared it out by time we came down. The whole hike was hot and dusty.
There is a significant water source about halfway up the switchbacks (48.032097, -121.182312), I would expect this should be running for a good while longer, I wouldn't be surprised if it runs the whole season. There are a few small trickles once you reach the top of the switchbacks. Usable in a pinch if you need water, but these may dry up in the coming weeks.
Bugs, generally, were pretty horrible. Flies and mosquitos biting, even while in motion. We were definitely confined to the tents at camp at times. Luckily the wind occasionally picked up and kept them down a bit.
Saw lots of marmots, deer, and grouse.
Comments
K.B.H. on White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop
Is this fire possibly going by another name on official sites? I can't find anything about it online.
Posted by:
K.B.H. on Jul 25, 2023 09:02 PM
ChronicHiker on White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop
No, the Airplane Lake Fire, to my knowledge is not going by any other names. It can be found on the Fire Weather and Avalanche Center’s interactive map, but their waypoint is slightly misplaced. Again, the fire is on the north flank of Mt Saul, next to Airplane Lake. They put the waypoint too far to the north on the other side of the canyon.
https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/state/washington
Posted by:
ChronicHiker on Jul 25, 2023 09:16 PM