My dog and I went to explore the North Fork Sauk River and the short trail up to Red Mountain. I ended up only doing Red Mountain, but tagged both because I think the road info here will be useful. 

There are two obstacles on the road on the way there. Roughly half-way up, there is a small stream and some debris on the road. It was easy enough to cross with my SUV, but I wouldn't have tried it in my sedan. Farther on, a stream has washed a lot of debris onto the road just a quarter mile before the North Fork Sauk Trail and the Red Mountain Trail. (I believe this area is a common trouble spot on this road.) I have an SUV with OK clearance, but wasn't willing to try it, especially since it was just me. I parked instead at a wide-spot on the road and hiked the extra quarter of a mile or so. 

Several other SUVs, however, had clearly made the crossing as they were at the trailhead, and one passed me heading out as I reached my car, so it had clearly made it OK that day.

The trail up to Red Mountain is in perfect condition. I was surprised by how little water was on the trail. There was only one spot where I got my feet wet and if I'd tried harder, I could have kept them dry.  There are a few huge logs over the trail, but they have cut outs that make it easy to get across. (I did have to let my dog off the leash briefly. He went under the log while I went over. He's only about 28 pounds and I was worried about him slipping on the wet wood.)

I paused at the lookout site to admire the view, but I didn't realize it was the actual site until I got back and read more deeply into trip reports. It's a wide, flat area on a right-hand fork of the trail, if previous trip reports are correct. I continued on up the trail until I reached a segment that turns into a scramble. It looks easy enough, but on a wet day with a dog, it was clearly a bad idea. I would like to come back and try that scramble on a dry, clear day. 

I can't comment on the N. Fork Sauk Trail, as we ended up not hiking it. There were people shooting in the area (target shooting, I assume? Seemed like too many shots for hunting, although I did see two people loading a buck into their truck on my way out.) My dog was NOT HAPPY about the shooting and the rain had started getting pretty heavy, so we headed back to the car. He's still a new hiker. I don't want to make him hate it. 

I drove in from Darrington and out at Granite Falls on the Mountain Loop. The whole loop is in good condition. It has the usual potholes but would be easy to drive even in a passenger car. No snow on the road, although it was snowing but not sticking at Barlow Pass. 

The outhouse at the trailhead is open. Although there is almost no toilet paper, as a mouse has shredded nearly all of it and made an impressively huge pile on the floor. 

For those searching for a way to Kennedy Hot Springs, Kennedy Ridge, and Fire Creek Pass, you need to know there are only two ways to get there now.  You can travel on the PCT from the south from Red Pass or from the North on the PCT  from the Vista Creek trail. The White Chuck River road is not fully maintained, and the White Chuck trail washed out to Kennedy Hot Springs.  Kennedy Hot Springs is buried under tons of debris, so do not go expecting to find them.  And, the trail up Milk Creek towards Mica Lake and Fire Creek Pass is also wiped out. The Forest Service reports that they will no longer maintain the White Chuck River Trail nor the Milk Creek trails. 

So, given this as one of the only options to go to Fire Creek Pass, I set out to go to Fire Creek Pass by way of the North Sauk River Trail, which in and out will be over 46 miles with a lot of elevation gain and loss.  To get to Fire Creek Pass from the south, on the PCT, this is the closest approach.  

The valley walk along the N. Sauk River is lovely. The forest is very mature with grand old trees. Along the way you pass the trails to Pilot Ridge, Sloan Peak, and Red Mountain.  The trail is quite gentle for 5.5 miles to Mackinaw Shelter.  There are many great places to camp at the shelter or about 1 mile beforehand, where you cross the stream and bridge.  From the shelter to the junction with the PCT is 3.5 miles of very steep trail with relentless switchbacks on very sun-exposed slopes. You have increasingly beautiful views of the Monte Cristo Peaks and Sloan Peak. The climb is about 3,000 feet to the junction with PCT.   When you reach the junction, you can go south a very short distance to White Pass, or as in my case go north about 1.75 miles along the PCT to Red Pass, about 700 feet higher than the PCT junction. The views from Red Pass are tremendous.  As you drop towards Kennedy Meadows and former Kennedy Hot Springs area, the views of Glacier Peak are stunning.  There are multiple camps along the way and water quite plentiful.    

I had planned to go up Kennedy Ridge, which is supposed to be quite grueling in itself, then down Glacier and Pumic Creeks, then up to Fire Creek Pass, but, my minimal cold I had begun with at the trailhead two days before had gotten worse, and fever, so I had to turn back from my camp near the old Kennedy Hot Springs trail.  

From this point to the trailhead on the North Fork Sauk River was about 16 miles, with a lot of elevation gain to Red Pass, and then down from 6700 feet at Red Pass to the trailhead for a drop of almost 5000 feet. 

While difficult to get into this area, it begs for a multi-day backpacking trip.  The terrain is almost like a moonscape in places, and the White Chuck Cinder Cone very seemingly out of place. It makes this area extremely unique and beautiful for hiking. While I did not complete my hike, I can't wait to go back to this tremendously beautiful area. 

First time on this trail. I enjoyed it even though I got a little wet. The road and trail are in good condition. I made it up to the shelter. I'm surprised it's still standing.

Many miles of bumpy, dusty roads on the way to the trailhead.  And a full parking lot when we got there.  Likely they were all backpacking on Glacier, because we saw very few people on the trail. Thanks to NFS for fixing the road. I have been waiting to get back here all summer.  Also thanks to WTA for some trail work.  The good part of the long drive is you are in wilderness almost as soon as you leave your car.  Gorgeous big trees and solitude.  Quite the contrast from the scene at Barlow Pass, just a few miles away.