White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop — Friday, Jul. 25, 2014

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

The North Fork Sauk River Trail #649 is in excellent condition and is well traveled this time of year. I made my way clockwise around the loop, heading out Trail 649 to PCT and south to Dishpan Gap, turning east on Bald Eagle Mountain Trail #650. I chose to take the Blue Lake High Route Trail #652.1 about a mile east of Dishpan Gap- This is not a maintained trail and can be best described as a place where mountain goats fear to tread. In the summer months I wouldn't quite call it a technical climb, but early and late season hikers should take the long way around unless they've packed mountaineering basics- As should anyone not comfortable with narrow paths on steep grades with unsure footing. Nevertheless, the views from the High Route pass were breathtaking (assuming you had any breath left to take). The descent into Blue Lake was in slightly better condition, save the number of large and in places steep snow fields across the trail, and could create a false sense of safety if you're coming up from the lake side- The south slope trail is difficult to go up with a pack, I would hate to try and go down it unburdened, much less with a week's worth of gear on my back. The lakes are stunning, and while I never went down to Little Blue Lake, I spent the day among the blooming wildflowers around Blue Lake, and occasionally glimpsing a number of small animals from marmots to voles. Pilot Ridge Trail #652 is indistinct in places across the meadows, but not too challenging- BE AWARE- there are no sources of water on the Pilot Ridge Trail between the North Fork Sauk and Blue Lake- almost 10 miles and you will have to carry every drop you'll need in that distance. Early season hikers may be able to melt snow for drinking, but expect it to be gone by mid to late July. If you're coming up from the N Fork Sauk, you'll encounter a few streams in the first 2 miles- Don't be fooled, that's all there is. Pilot Ridge Trail hasn't seen maintenance in several years, and deadfall blocks the trail in a number of places, particularly on the west end of the ridge. Most of the trail is easy enough to find along the upper meadows, but neglect has obscured some sections where it drops into the trees again. The river crossing is on the back of a log, and there are several to choose from, and while the one nearest the junction with the North Fork Sauk Trail might be the easiest to get to, it may not be the easiest to use. I don't know if the others might be better- this is the one I took- which required clambering across a root ball and rocks on the ridge side and a precarious climb onto a second log to actually reach the bank on the trail junction side. In all, it was a fantastic trip, just not one for the inexperienced, unprepared, or small children- I would think twice about bringing pets, for that matter.