North Fork Sauk River, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass — Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Started out at the North Fork Sauk River Trailhead at 6:15am. Road 49 is the best I have seen it in years and the trails today were in good condition, I could see all the hard work that was put in by the trail crews. Even though there were cars at the trailhead I did not meet any hikers going up the Sauk River Trail. I met a group of hikers on the PCT doing the Lost Ridge Loop and chatted with some PCT hikers who started on the border with Mexico. Today I decided to head north on the PCT to Red Pass. The weather was perfect and the views outstanding, this part of the PCT never disappoints. At Red Pass I decided to go as far as the White Chuck Cinder Cone. After leaving Red Pass and heading north it was like I entered another world. The scenery was barren and tundra like, it reminded me of Alaska. After continuing just a little ways I was treated to the cinder cone and in your face views of Glacier Peak. The view of Glacier was jaw dropping and enhanced by the interesting geology of the cinder cone. One could spend days exploring this area with its many views and geology. After much picture taking and having some lunch I headed back. I really enjoyed talking to the other hikers today, this has always been one of my favorite hikes even though a little long for a day hike. The bugs were spotty, I heard them in the meadows but they were not biting. When I came back down out of the meadows there were pockets of biting flies but for the most part they were not a problem. Very few hikers on the trail today and was back at my vehicle at 5:15pm.

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://flic.kr/s/aHskH4zPS1