Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass, North Fork Sauk River — Thursday, Jul. 18, 2013

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

I knew this was going to be a long one, so I started out on the trail at 5:45am. Trail crews did a great job clearing the North Fork Sauk Trail. At the junction with the PCT I headed left to Red Pass. Trail was in good shape and there was just one snowfield right before the pass. I did need to use my poles and even though the snow was soft you did not want to fall. Made it to the Pass, but the meadows below the pass still had quite a bit of snow and I couldn't go any further without traction devices. I took a climbers route to the right of the pass and took some great pictures. The meadows before the pass were spectacular! On the way back I checked out White Pass also, didn't matter were I pointed the camera. Awesome hike! Was back to the car at 3:45pm. Beware if you try this as a day hike, there is a significant elevation gain with a southern exposure after a 5 mile hike to Mackinaw Shelter. I have been doing quite a few conditioning hikes and this was still hard, even though the clouds didn't burn off until I reached the meadows.

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