Since the Sloan Cr Rd is still closed due to a small washout .8 mi from Mt Loop Hwy, I biked the ~7 miles from that point to the N Fork Sauk trailhead. I am 58 and in decent shape and the bike ride took 1.5 hrs with 35 Lb pack on my back. Signs say no parking past the Mt Loop Hwy junction, but there is room for several cars at the washout. No trees across road. From trailhead to Mackinaw Shelter, several blowdowns and some debris on trail - annoying, but not much trouble to cross them. From Mackinaw to PCT, avalanche swaths cause more problems, as several switchbacks cross the same avalanche path multiple times. Again, annoying, but not time consuming to find the way. No water to speak of between Mackinaw and 5,000 ft mark. Unsual number of snowpatches at White Pass, where I camped for a couple days. Makes for more choices of campsites due to plenty of snowmelt trickles here and there. I have been to this area 4 of the last 8 years and the flowers are unprecedented. I logged 55 species along the way. The Lightning Creek High Route north from White Pass is easy to navigate and a great day hike for several miles. Saw golden eagles, a huge black bear, grouse families and lots of marmots. Off the Lightning Creek route up the ridge are spectacular views down into Glacier Peak Meadows, White Chuck Glacier and Glacier Peak itself. The nice part about biking up is the ride down, which took 45 min. Bugs are out at White Pass on hot days. Saw only one other party on this weekend.
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