North Fork Sauk River, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section I - White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Pilot Ridge & Indian Head Peak — Monday, Aug. 2, 2010

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Took an easy 5 days to do this loop trip. Day 1 we got a late start and camped in the woods near the old shelter. Day 2 up the trail to White Pass and the PCT, then south to camp on a grassy knoll off the trail just north of Kid pond. Day 3 off to Indian Head Peak. We followed the route description from Becky - heading S on the PCT almost to Indian Pass before striking off NE across the "vast, steepish meadows" towards the summit. Only a few snow patches to negotiate but the ice axes were handy on the steep meadows and loose gravel. Carol found the key ramp around the S shoulder leading to easy heather and rock to the summit. There is a summit register placed by the Mountaineers in 1993. It appears only 3-5 parties come up here every year. We found a much more direct route back to camp staying close to the W ridge crest then dropping off the N side into an open basin then steep meadows back to camp. Day 4 packed up and headed S on the PCT around Kodak peak to Dishpan Gap and then to Blue Lake. The Lake looked inviting but it was occupied by a large group so we pressed on N up the Pilot ridge trail. After skirting around johnson mountain we headed up hill off the trail to a campsite shown in Routes and Rocks. Our best campsite of the trip. Day 5 finished the Pilot Ridge trail back to the N Fork Sauk trail and out. I have never been on this trail before and found it quite nice - great views of Sloan, etc. across the valley and HUGE old growth down low as you approach the Sauk.