Three of us started out from the North Fork Sauk River trailhead on Friday July 1st for a 3 day trip with aspirations to summit Glacier Peak and knock it off our respective bucket lists. 2 of us made it. Highlights: - hitting the perfect weather window and having a sunny summit day - getting the summit all to ourselves - black bear sighting on the way to the TH - hit by a hummingbird - attacked by a confused marmot Lowlights: - Lost a compadre on the way in - 13 hour summit day (don't camp at pt 6400 on the Foam Creek trail and assume the 6 miles and 4100 feet to the summit will be easy) - Rain on the way out - Missing husky (some couple let their dog off the leash near the junction with the PCT. Last I saw, she was blasting up the hill having the time of her life. While we took a break at Mackinaw on the way out, the couple caught up to us, sans pooch. I hope she made it off the mountain!) Full trip report and LOTS of pics here: http://mycrookedpath.com/blog/glacier-peak-summit/

The slide that had previously blocked the road is now cleared, and there is access all the way to the trailhead. The road is in great shape for the first 5 miles, and then pretty potholed for the last two. The Loki dog and I decided to upgrade our afternoon dog walk to the Real Woods, and having placed a roast in the oven had a few hours to kill. The parking lot was full when we got there late Saturday afternoon, but most were evidently camping higher up as we only passed a few parties coming out as we were walking in, all Glacier Peak climbers looking exhausted and having earned the beers to come. On a far less serious mission, Loki and I meandered among the big trees, lush greenery, and occasional overachiever wildflowers that found a bit of sunlight in which to sprout. The trail is in great shape, and the occasional stream crossings so dreamy I wish they were all like this: big, flat, stable rocks placed an easy step apart across each. Whoever made that happen is a good soul. Dusk was falling when we turned around a mile or so after the intersection with the Pilot Ridge trail (so we'd gone about 3 miles in), and having that lush, woodsy trail to ourselves on the walk out, I'd wished I hadn't watched the Animal Planet show a few days ago of people recounting their bear maulings. As is, the bears are evidently smarter than to sniff around here (climbers being too chewy), and this was an excellent spot for a bit of woodsy immersion. We'll be back to see the rest of the trail and the peaky show up above another time. The woods were lovely, dark and deep, But we had braising beefs to reap And miles to go before we eat, And miles to go before we eat.

Ranger station said snow between trailhead and makinaw shelter but I saw none. Red mountain is a bit steep for same views as the river trail so it's easy to understand why it gets little traffic. There's a little pull out to the right with good views at around a mile; I assume this is the old site but confusing since the trail continues and then a scramble starts that is waaaaaay outof my comfort zone. River trail has few blow downs but easily passible. A note on the road condition: no problem until a third of a mile from trail head and a huge avalanche chute. I have a high clearance suv and love "off-roading" across huge rocks (cuz it's fun) but honestly next time I'm parking and walking that distance and you probably should too.

Old growth the entire trail, skunk cabbage, and forest floor wildflowers. Noisy river wanders away from trail often enough so you can hear the birds. Campground at trail head is convenient. Mountain Loop Highway in good shape. Forest road 49 has it's share of potholes, but is easily passable until a wash up a quarter mile from trail head and campground. High clearance vehicles only after that. Trail in great shape first 2 miles and good shape after that. 5-6 blow downs, nothing serious. 10 miles round trip to shelter. Trail starts up at that point and on to Glacier Peak. Old growth is spectacular.

We didn't hike too far on this trail just due to it being winter, but we were in the mood to explore and look at the giant cedars, so we wandered a little ways in. One big note, there is two pretty decent washouts on FS 49 as well as one on the mountain loop hwy, coming from Darrington. The first washout on the loop is manageable, however a high clearance vehicle is an absolute must to get through the two washouts on 49. The first is a washout full of granite rock with a creek flowing through, and maneuvering over the bigger rocks would be impossible with a small vehicle. And the second washout (only about a 1/4-1/2 mile away from the North Fork Sauk River trailhead is pretty big, and it was partially covered in snow so very hard to see what is below the snow. Some of the rocks were quite large and the channels of water were reasonably deep. You'd need 4X4 and a lifted vehicle to get over this. However, you can easily walk to the trailhead if you park right at the washout. Just follow the signs a little further up the road where it splits. The trail itself started out extremely wet and partly snowy. We went about a mile in, and it was very soggy and lots of puddles. If you venture in during the winter or spring, be ready for lots of standing water if it has rained recently. It was a dry but very overcast day, perfect for a little wandering. We will be hiking this trail in summer for sure.