This is a spectacularly beautiful hike, however the miles (34) and elevation gain (9400’) for this trip do not begin to convey how strenuous it feels, especially in the hot smoky weather we have been having.
We did a simple 3 day itinerary.
Day 1: 10.5 miles and 5000’ gain to Glacier basin.
Day 2: 13 miles round trip and 4000’ gain to the summit and back to camp.
Day 3: hike out, about 400’ gain over the small ups and downs.
The first day was the hardest, especially the fly torture between the Mackinaw shelter and White Pass. I recommend bringing Picardin, which works better than DEET against flies, and also wearing lightweight long sleeves and long pants for this stretch. We soaked our shirts in every stream to stay cool. Once beyond White Pass both the flies and the trail steepness mellowed out and the hike into Glacier Basin was incredibly beautiful and enjoyable. The next day we left at 5:30 for the summit. There is a fairly easy to follow trail the whole way with varied, spectacular scenery, and we hardly needed to look at our map or GPS. We roped up in a flat spot once we left Disappointment Cleaver for the glacier. We saw some who did not rope up, but I think roping up and having crevasse rescue training and gear is definitely prudent. Even though the section with crevasses is fairly short, and the crevasses near the trail do not seem very wide, some crevasses are hidden and crossed on snow bridges of unknown strength. We left the rope behind for the last 1000’ up the ridge of slidy pumice and snow. Crampons can be left on the whole way, as they are needed for the steep snow near the summit and are fine on the pumice too. Views were smoky but spectacular anyway. There is a pool of liquid water at the summit in case you need to refill your water—bring a filter. There is also a summit tent site, and a Mazama’s register. There is even a kite. On the last day we left camp at 5:30 am which allowed us to get down before the flies got hungry and gave us time to feast on the ripe blueberries below White Pass.
Thoroughly recommended—when you reach the trailhead, bring a change of clothes, head down to the river and take a dip. So refreshing.
Comments
Does the hike from red pass to glacier meadows follow a somewhat decent trail, or is it required to go over scree fields? I'd like to make it all the way to the lake listed at 6443 feet in glacier peak meadows, but the people with bdd will not want to hike on loose scree. Any information is helpful! Also, if you did it, is it simple to go from glacier peak meadows to the foam creek trail? Or is specialized gear needed?
Thanks so much!
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 21, 2017 06:37 PM
its a fairly easy to follow trail all the way. After white pass there is a traverse on pretty good trail then a climb to a shoulder and anotehr traverse on a somewhat looser trail with a few slippery spots, then the trail becomes sufficiently rocky and loose that it is similar to a boulder/scree slope, but still is definitely a trail. I don't think experienced hikers with decent boots will have trouble on any of it.
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 21, 2017 08:13 PM
The people with me. Not bdd *
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 21, 2017 06:37 PM
Thank you! Would a slip on the traverse be very problematic. One of the backpackers is new. And how long are the lose stretches? We did the Carne High Mountain Route and had to stop at the first scree field. I'm to picture it because even mild scree fields would force a turnaround.
And, you suggest approaching glacier meadows via white pass as opposed to red pass? Or suggesting looping around it all?
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 21, 2017 08:41 PM
havent done red pass. i think white pass is shorter. Did you find the trail accross the scree filed on the Carne Moutnain high Route? Its not too obvious how to find it to start but once you find it it makes the scree a lot easier.But that scree field is mroe difficult than anything you will find on the way to glacier meadows. And there is nothing scary. Ill try and find a photo showing the trail and edit my trip report to add it.
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 12:02 PM
added a couple links to photos showing some of the rougher parts of the trail. or you can see the big photo dump here https://goo.gl/photos/GWtTMJgGViTDmRog8
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 12:09 PM
The main reason i would not being a newer backpacking on this trail is the 5000' gain and the overall strenuousness. That 3000' from the Sauk river valley to white pass is so tiring especially with a pack.
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 05:38 PM
*backpacking->backpacker
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 05:38 PM
Loose *
Trying to picture*
They need an edit comment feature!
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 21, 2017 08:42 PM
agree. as you see i can never spell right the first time either.
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 12:05 PM
Thank you! Okay, so we should go towards foam creek and up and over the ridges from there? Is there any "trail" to the meadows or just following a GPS. Some people say the last hill is very scree filled but you think it's fine even for a new person?
Thanks! I'll look at the link too.
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 22, 2017 03:47 PM
the trail is well established and fairly easy to follow the whole way but bring a .gpx track just in case as there are some trail forks and you might conceivably take the wrong one somewhere.
Posted by:
Ann N. on Aug 22, 2017 05:34 PM
Thanks!
Posted by:
Jake.Thomas on Aug 22, 2017 06:18 PM