Heads up!
There are a lot of closures in the Mountain Loop area now due to either fires, construction or road damage. Please check current conditions before heading out. As of 8/26, the North Fork Sauk and other area trails are still open, including the PCT. PCT does have a closure and detour on part of Section K but it's well to the north. Check details here: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/washington/glacier-peak-wilderness/
I went out to the Bald Eagle Mtn. Trailhead to do the classic Blue Lake/Pilot Ridge Loop. I did the loop counterclockwise, starting at Bald Eagle and finishing at the North Fork Sauk TH. Other than a handful of down trees and some sloping/washed out tread, there are hardly any issues with the trails on the loop. Late season low water levels make the crossing of the N.F. Sauk at the junction of the Pilot Ridge Trail a piece of cake. Speaking of low water, the loop is quite dry above 3000ft, with a couple of trickling streams on the Bald Eagle Trail and the Blue Lakes being the only sources. Bugs are not too bad, even by the lakes. There are lots of trout but most in the upper lake are quite small. Little Blue Lake hides some bigger ones. I brought in one that was about 12" long and weighed a little over a pound. It made a great lunch!
The wildfire smoke wasn't too bad on this trip but it varies significantly from day-to-day. With 3 large fires burning in the vicinity, it might be best to head somewhere else if you're sensitive.
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