3 day, 2 night backpacking trip that did parts of both these trails, but neither of them in totality. It was INCREDIBLE. I've been backpacking a lot places and this is one of my favorites. Day 1: 9.5 miles into White Pass campground. Yes it's hard on the 3,000 gain in 3 miles, but it's doable! Day 2: day hike ~2 miles on PCT North to Red Pass, then back towards White Pass and 2 miles on PCT South then back to camp for 8 mile total. Day 3: White Pass back to the trailhead.
Water: There's plentiful water right now with all the snow run off. Creeks about every half hour from the trailhead to Mackinaw. 1 creek that's a little tricky to get to about half way up the switchbacks but it's there if you needed it. Then 2 more creeks at the top of the switchbacks before you get to the PCT junction. 2-3 additional creeks from PCT junction to White Pass. Several snow run off trickles that are plenty big enough to filter in the 2 miles south of White Pass.
Camping: There were a ton of folks at White Pass camp area, mostly all Glacier Peak summit parties. 20+ tents both nights. The toilet is hard to find, but you go down into the camping area, then turn left and follow it a ways. Turn right at the big rock cairn just before the last privy sign (don't go straight past the last privy sign). There's some tent pads on the ridge, but you're not supposed to camp there so avoid that if you can. Also please try not to camp on the meadows themselves!
Bugs: I only got 1 bite and I didn't wear any bug spray (and I'm normally a mosquito magnet). But I think they are going to start getting worse pretty soon as it's about that time of year.
Snow: a handful of snow crossings once you get up to the PCT. I brought yak tracks but never put them on. Trekking poles were very helpful for balance. Watch out for snow bridges. The trail going down Red Pass into Glacier Peak Meadows had several more big snow patches across it, but it was definitely passable as we saw several folks cross them easily without gear. Camp sites at White Pass were all melted out.
Trail: In great condition. We hand sawed a couple ~6 inch down trees on the switchbacks, but otherwise the trail was great. There was even a WTA work party- thank you for keeping this trail fabulous! I was expecting way more blowdowns but there were nearly none!
Wildlife: We saw (and heard) many grouse around White Pass, and there were tons of butterflies everywhere. There are also marmots galore along the PCT section, particularly from the junction at the top of the steep part to White Pass. I saw about 15 at 7am on our hike out. While we didn't see any bears, a friend saw one the next day on this same trail.
Wildflowers: So delightful! Up on the PCT there's tons of yellow glacier lilies, yellow lady's slipper, white pasqueflower, american bistort, sitka valerian, mountain heather, phlox, and even some beardstongue. On the switchbacks there were also brilliant paintbrush and some lupine. The first waves of flowers (like glacier lilies) are peaking, but second waves are just getting ready to go, especially up higher.
Highly recommend this STUNNING hike with amazing views in all directions. It was such a treat to see Rainier, Glacier peak, and Sloan peak, not to mention the countless other craggy mountain tops and ridges. Next time I'll do the whole Pilot Ridge loop, or actually go down into the Glacier Peak Meadows but this was a great sampler.
Happy Trails!
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