North Fork Sauk River — Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2003

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Hiked up to Mackinaw Camp at 5 miles Thursday June 5. Trail easy with a few down logs (no problems) all the way. Red Creek at about 3.8 miles was raging but crossable on a less than ideal footlog just downstream from the usual footlog which was under water. Hiked up to the 5400 foot level on Friday for great views of Monte Cristo Peaks, Sloan, Pilot Ridge and Cascade Crest. The trail up from Mackinaw was in good shape with no obstacles unlike last years massive avalanche debris. Hit solid snow obscuring trail at 4900 feet and headed straight up from there through semi open terrain to an unobstructed view. The trail appeared to be free of snow again at about the 5500 foot level as it headed east to White Pass. The snow was melting fast in 80 degree plus temperatures. No bug problems whatever. Hiked out Saturday June 7. Red Creek still raging at 9 AM.