North Fork Sauk River — Friday, Mar. 23, 2001

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

I was looking for a new trail to reconniter the backcountry (check snow levels, etc.). This seemed like a good option --- trail runs five miles to a shelter (pretty much straight east into the heart of the Cascades) and then, depending on what I found to that point, provided an opportunity to gain a little altitude as it climbs towards the PCT (I did not anticipate making it the whole 8.6 miles to the PCT --- but I did want to get an idea about how far in I could go). Anyway, I planned on leaving home early, but the anticipation woke me up well before the alarm clock --- I left Mill Creek at about 4:30 and was at the trailhead just before 6:30. Unbeknownst to the Forest Service, the road is open clear to the Trailhead (i.e., Sloan Creek campgroud). I don't think, however, that you could go beyond without a 4x4. Now on to the trail: In the first mile and 1/2 there are four blowdowns -- and three are big, including one monster mess where this huge tree has fallen almost parallel to the trail (about a mile in). The tree is 4+ feet in diameter and over 150 feet long --- and it took down lots of branches and caused all kinds of problems. It will need a lot of work and the trail may have to be re-routed. After the early blowdowns, you only must deal with snow until you get to Red Creek (sorry for all those postholes -- it was pretty soft on my way out). Red Creek crossing is ""interesting""---you can tightrope on a angled log (flat would be too easy), you can work downstream, or you can wade. I did the log---but it still had snow on it and it was not real fun. The snow report is as follows: Trailhead to Rainey Camp (2 miles in) --- only a few patches of snow (gone within a week or two); Rainey Camp to Red Creek (another 1.5 to 2 miles in) --- big patches of snow interspered with significant stretches of dry trail; Red Creek to Mackinaw Shelter (5 miles from trailhead) --- pretty much continual snow). By the time I got to Mackinaw shelter, I was feeling about 1/2 worn out and I was starting to break through the snow. So I ate brunch at the shelter and turned around. Didn't see anyone until I got back to the trail head (10 miles, a few breaks, lunch and back at the vehicle by noon). Overall a good hike, lots of big trees, lots of birds, nice views of the river (although not continual). I'll be back.