White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop — Saturday, Sep. 21, 2024

TLDR; yo, this hike is incredible. Outrageous mountain views, fall colors and mushrooms. It's also pretty challenging.

trail

I brought my overnight gear, but ended up day hiking the trail instead. Great weather was fortunate. I began hiking around 7:45 a.m. clockwise. The first few miles along the river are chill, and the climb up to White Pass felt easier than the elevation profile would suggest.

The reward is many miles of brilliant autumn reds and golds, along with views of Glacier Peak and other rugged mountains. The descent was pretty steep in parts, but became gradual switchbacks once back beneath the tree line. I reconnected my loop and finished the last two miles in the evening, reaching my car around 7:45 p.m.

The trail is in great shape overall, with only a handful of blowdowns to navigate throughout. There's a short stretch just East/Northeast/CCW from Blue Lake that is a little scrambly, so please take care. Physically, take heed: this trip had some of the steepest inclines I've hiked all summer.

I only encountered a handful of other parties, and had most of the trail to myself. A few hunting parties, too, and a note in the trail register about somebody who lost their handgun on a hike. Seriously, who just misplaces an instrument of death while on a hike? 

Fungi

Fungi kingdom, I tell you. This is the best time of year in Washington. It's an embarrassment of riches. Spotted on this hike along were:

• chanterelles
• bears tooth
• chicken of the woods (many flushes)
• king bolete (swimming in them. More than you can imagine)
• hedgehog
• lobster 
• and many more

Drive

The road is rough. It's doable in a smaller vehicle, but I was glad for my Outback. Trailhead had space for several more cars and the bathroom was clean and well stocked.

Distance: 28.8 miles
Elevation: 7,671 feet
Moving time: 10:38:25