North Fork Sauk River, Pilot Ridge — Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Started this little classic on the evening of August 21. Left trailhead at 7:00 PM. Hiked with headlamps until we hit the creek crossing at Red Creek; a little too dark to cross so we camped here(2880). Filled up with water at red creek to maximum, before the dry, dusty climb. Started second day on way to Kodak Peak (12 miles away). The red creek crossing was easy on a decent log and we were at Mackinaw Shelter(our original destination for Thursday) in one-half hour. (5 mile mark-3000 feet). The way from here starts a gentle up and then the steep 3,000 foot climb to the PCT Highway and White Pass. Bad weather was predicted, but the trail gods won, and the rain never came; in fact, it was hot and dry. The way to the crest trail was awesome with views opening up dominated by Monte Cristo Peaks, Twin Peaks, Dickerman, and Sloan Peak. The White Pass area is beautiful (6,000 feet, 8 miles in), but no time to doddle other than lunch. Glacier was mostly clouded in by now, so the side trail up to White Mountain was not completed. From White Mountain it took about 3-4 hours to work our way to Kodak Peak. The trail goes 2.5 miles (14.5 in)further to Relection Pond, and a rare water source. We took 15 minutes to recharge and pump full with water-to last until Upper Blue Lake. One mile away is Kid Pond, also holding good water. One must descend (yuk) to Indian Pass (4900 feet) until the final ascent to Kodak Peak and shoulder at 5700 feet (16 miles in). The weather was a bit cold on top, and we woke to an entire white out Saturday at 6:00. The weather held us at bay until we saw signs it was breaking, by 8:30 the skies had cleared revealing a tasty view--Glacier Peak. Back on the PCT the trail wanders for 2 miles past Meandering Meadows and on to Dishpan Gap. We left the PCT and headed toward Pilot Ridge on Trail 652. After a mile,a decision must be made: high route or low route. Go the high route if headed to Upper Blue. The trail looks nasty from a distance but very passable and no problem on other side. Top of ridge is 6200 feet, with glorious view out-Stewart, Daniels, Hinman, Rainier,Glacier Peak, and down to glorious (Crater Lake-Blue)Blue Lake. Trail down just fine. Camped at nice spot 100 feet above Blue Lake with running snowfield water (20 miles from N Fork trailhead). Filled both platypus's (platypie?) with water. Headed out Sunday for the 11.5 mile trek home. This was the longest 11.5 miles out I have ever done. The trail slopes up around Johnson and heads to Pilot Ridge; however, without doing Johnson, there is no view West. At about 2 miles down the trail, look for a lower spot below the ridge, and climb. The views were great from the top. In fact, here we probably doddled too long. We went cross-country for a while and dropped back down to main trail. The next 9 miles were deceivingly brutal-mostly because of tired feet, a relentless sun (better than the alternative), and many ups and downs. I would guess the elevation gain going out to be 500 feet with 4,000 feet of descent. The trail is craggy and prevents a run-down to the car. The N Fork has a big tree for crossing; simply go upstream 50 feet and plow through the woods. The tree does stand about 8 feet off ground on west end and may be tough to get on, somewhat difficult to dismount. From here it was a 2-mile, boy-my-feet are tired, what are you made of, hamburger mantra to the car. What a classic hike-highly recommended. 31 miles in the loop. No snow on trail, no bugs, no rain, just an awesome 4 days. The only remaining question I have is ""Why isn't there a decent burger-stand in Darrington?""