Pilot Ridge — Friday, Aug. 1, 1997

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

A very challenging hike for a guy turning 40 in two weeks. The path along the North Fork Sauk River is easy except for one very large blow-down that you have to scramble around. It's within the first half- mile or so, and after that it's easier, but watch for nettles where the brush closes in on the trail. Where the Pilot Ridge Trail leaves the North Fork Sauk River, there is a great blow-down across the river just downstream of the ford. Easy crossing. The trail up the ridge is brutal (but I am not in great shape). There is one monster blow-down several hundred feet long that blocks the trail twice, with a switch-back in between. Water is abundant where the trail crosses the stream. On top of the ridge we encountered snow, but it may be gone by now -- it was melting fast. Because of the snow, we were able to stay up on the ridge for two nights, filtering water from pockets we made in the melting snow. However, there wasn't much left, and for the rest of this summer, I wouldn't plan on finding water along the ridge. Originally, we had hoped to make a loop from Pilot Ridge to Blue Lake to White Pass and back down along the North Fork Sauk River, but we were not in good enough shape to make it in the time allotted. We came back down the way we went up. The views from Pilot Ridge were spectacular! We could see from Glacier Peak in the north to Mt. Rainier in the South. Monte Cristo was most impressive -- with binoculars we were inspired by the multiple waterfalls. And, with clear weather, the stars were fabulous. The bugs are out big-time, so be prepared. [Webmesiter note: I ran into a real pesky porcupine on this trail once. I was going one way and he the other while on a very steep slope. We challenged each other for about 10 minutes before he backed down and stepped of the trail to let me by. Is he still there']