North Fork Sauk River, Glacier Peak — Saturday, Jun. 23, 2018

A quick report of conditions of this climb from the North Fork of the Sauk trailhead to just pass White Pass on the (now) standard route for climbing Glacier Peak.  I turned around due to deteriorating weather conditions.

The road to the trailhead is in my opinion, in great shape given the time of the season.  A couple of spots where there has been a washout, but the damage is minimal and I would have had no issues taking a sedan with normal clearance on the road.  Just take it slow through these spots.

The NF Sauk River trail is in fantastic condition with a couple of blowdowns to clamber over but you will barely break stride to do so.  Two or three sections are getting a bit overgrown and likely to soak you from the thighs down if you are on the trail in the early morning before the dew evaporates.

The climb out of the valley is in it's usual rocky state.  There was a couple of snow patches in the bowl, and I really mean patches, like two steps worth.  You have one snow covered chute to cross near the junction with the PCT but it's only about ten steps.

Once you hit the PCT you have a few more snow covered (and undercut by streams) sections to cross.  I never felt in danger just quickly made my way across them.  Of course I didn't have a 40 pound pack on.  These will probably completely melt out in the next week or so.  I did not put traction on to cross them as they have well defined steps kicked in.

Once you get to the pass, the route is almost completely covered.  There was a bootpath that I followed for a ways before eventually cutting up to the saddle east of White Mountain to save time (the benefits of snow covered routes).  However, once I was at the saddle, the weather turned even worse, sight was very limited and the wind was blowing at about 25 mph.  I could have trudged onward knowing the route well but I came up here for views, not the inside of a ping pong ball.  Turned around here and made a quick trip back to the car.  

Wildflowers are coming out.  I didn't notice bugs until back at the car and found myself swatting at them as I put my gear away.  Plenty of water sources in this first ten or so miles of the route.  The small campsite at White Pass is not snow covered. 

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.strava.com/activities/1657866908