We started at sloan peek campground sunday august 12 at eve and went 2 miles to campsite at the river. nice spot. on the next day, 2 of us forded the river and the other 2 walked over the giant cedar logto the pilot ridge trail the next day the slog up pilot ridge to blue lake took 10 miles and 8+ hours with heavy packs. Between beautiful views of Monte Cristo peaks the way was often steep. Bring lots of water - it was hot. Blue lake campsite was beautiful and we were the only ones there august 13. Stars that night were gorgeous, and we saw the space shuttle. On the 14 we climbed out of blue lake to join the pacific coast trail at dishpan gap. This climb was quite steep and without hiking poles would almost have been impossible as the trail was loose dirt with no traction. The climb down the ridge to Dishpan was just as steep with loose dirt and 6 inch wide trail on the side of steep cliffs. We were surprised that Dishpan was empty, and dry. we then continued to Reflection pond. Unable to fill our water bottles before the pond because the flies drove us back. Reflection pond seemed to be the destination of many through hikers, yet we found a nice spot. The pond water was filterable and the views from the pond were nice. The next day August 15, we made it all the way to kennedy hot springs via beautiful Red pass and the desolate Glacier meadows. The trails before and after red pass need some work. On August 16 we hiked from Kennedy to first Lake Byrne and then camped at Camp Lake. These lakes were the highlights of our 5 day trip. We had camp lake all to ourselves except for the bald eagle perched at the side of the lake all afternoon and evening. these lakes were magnificent and worth the tortuous climb with full packs up from kennedy. On august 17 we left camp lake and walked Lost Creek Ridge all the way to our car. Lost creek had several blow downs, and again many parts of the trail were too narrow and loose packed. However, the unexpected views from lost creek ridge were stupendous. We were on top of the fog filled valley and the mountain tops above the clouds looked like islands in a sea of clouds. We hope the pictures do justice to the sight. Caution: I have to say these next words despite the macho image we backpackers often prefer to project. I presume that at one time the trails chiseled out of the nountain and cliff sides were flat, but now they are all angled with the slope, all too narrow. The downhill hiking pole is often planted in air, and for caution we all lean uphill and walk at the uphill edge of the trail. This further loosens the dirt and makes the trails even more treacherous. I can't imagine doing these trails without poles. If someone hasn't been killed already, it will happen in the next few years unless serious trail repair is done.

North Fork Sauk River Loop. We parked our truck and began our loop at the Lost Creek Ridge trailhead. We camped the first night at Sunup Lake, a very nice spot and little used. Six miles and 3'800 ft. to here. Trail is in excellent shape all the way to Lake Byrne. The 2nd. day we did the many ups and downs to Camp Lake where we camped. The crux of this traverse is to do the Black Mtn. high route as described by Tabor and Crowder or Becky's route descriptions for Black Mtn. aproaches from Lake Byrne to the north and from Red Pass to the South. The Tabor and Crowder route is somewhat more direct which is the one we did. Either will work and none of it is technical. Ice axes would be useful in early season. Lots of steep heather and flowers. Elevation gain about 4,800 ft. in 6-7 miles. It doesn't get much more remote than this, very wild, good route finding skills required. No bad brush just good old gut busting side gouging on alpine slopes. We scrambled up Black Peak from s.w.,class 3, before descending into a gorges basin to the south of the summit around 5,000 ft. We camped here for our 3rd. night out. This basin is huge and faces out to the Monte Cristo Range. The next day we traversed to Red Pass. After Hiking up onto the ridge from our basin camp the route pretty much gets easier, traversing to the west of pk. 6,900 and then back on the ridge crest we traversed to the South of Portal Pk. to reach Red Pass. We marched down the PCT past White Pass and camped at Reflection Pond. Day five we scrambled up Indian Head Pk. before hiking south to Dishpan Gap, turning onto the Bald Eagle trail and taking the high octane bypass route to Blue Lakes for camp five. The fishing was lousy so we hiked out on day six via Pilot ridge and the North Fork Sauk trail. We didn't encounter any blow downs on the trails, all were in excellent shape. 40 to 45 miles with side trips in six days. Bill,Jim,Jerry,John and the Lone Ranger.

One of my favorite areas for hiking is the Mountain Loop Highway. This time of the year, there's very few people around since the road is officially ""closed"", meaning it hasn't been maintained or plowed yet. As we drove south from Darrington, a thousand shades of green greeted our eyes. Trees, shrubs and flowers are all budding out. Road 20, the Mtn. Loop Hwy is actually good gravel road starting six miles south of Darrington. From it you will find an assortment of other forest service roads and trailheads. Today we were headed to the North Fork Sauk River, a trail that starts at 2100 feet in a beautiful narrow valley. The river is lively, a streak of white and slate green through thick stands of huge trees. The trail follows the N. Fork about 6.5 miles and then climbs open meadows to the PCT and great views of Glacier Peak near White Pass. Years ago I went on a backpack to this area and fell in love with it. Today, however, we were content to walk through the lovely forest. We hiked along the trail past HUGE trees, Western red cedar and Douglas fir. This is real old growth and very regal and serene. We encountered a few obstacles, a lively stream crossing and three logs over the trail, plus some branch debris. Two of the logs were gigantic, thus this trail is effectively blocked to stock travel until they are cleared. Both are also in the Glacier Peak Wilderness Area. We climbed over the logs and traveled until stopped by the lack of a bridge over Red Creek, a good sized, swift flowing stream. The log bridge which I remember from some twenty years ago has long since been destroyed, although the old guide wire still hangs above the frigid waters of Red Creek. The real joy of this hike, early in the season is the trees. They are astounding. We also encountered early trillium and violets, some Western Bleeding Heart coming into bloom and the vigourous stems of Mertensia (Bluebells) growing in an open area, as well as some early nettles. Later in the season, Red Creek may be able to be crossed over the horse ford but I wouldn't attempt it now. There is a small camp at the junction of the Pilot Ridge Trail (ford) and one at Red Creek, both in deep forest. We ate lunch at Red Creek just as the rain began to fall. Earlier we had enjoyed some nice sunbreaks. There was snow patches on the trail starting about 2700 feet, but not continuous. Trailhead is about 17 miles from Darrington, mainly over gravel and sometimes very narrow roads, so allow time. There is a small campground at the trailhead with a vault toilet. Stats: 8 miles, 900 feet gain

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.

Took my 11-year-old son on the trudge up to Red Pass. Had read warning about no bridge at Red Creek, and it still was a problem as of Aug. 12. Must take off boots and wade just upstream of trail crossing at shallow point. (Or just get your boots wet). Trail above Makinaw Shelter is as tough as they come, and the flies are terrible til you get to the 5,800 foot level. Wildflowers make up for any discomfort though. Plenty of snow below Red Pass - and more people than I would have imagined for a mid-week trip. I hadn't done this trip since 1973 and was not disappointed. One of the prettiest vistas anywhere in the US. Trail is very dusty above 5,000 feet, so plan on being covered in dirt if you're in a group or following someone.