The Wenatchee River Ranger District trail crew, with the help of two stellar volunteer wilderness rangers, just spent five days working on the Little Giant Trail on both sides of the pass. The trail is fully logged out to the pass (~80 logs cleared in three days) save for a handful of minor stepovers, and has been thoroughly brushed, with spot rebenching accomplished as well. This being the Glacier Peak Wilderness, some brush remains, but we put a significant dent in the worst sections. The trail is passable for stock (though incredibly steep) to the first large camp just past the Little Giant Creek crossing (about halfway to the pass), but we do NOT recommend stock travel past this point.

We also put in some solid work on the Napeequa side of Little Giant Pass, mostly toward the bottom. We thoroughly brushed and rebenched several badly eroded switchbacks. There is still a lot of work to be done on this side of the pass (access and water scarcity make it challenging to work there), but we put a good dent in it. The trail on this side of the pass is super steep and exposed with lots of sketchy tread (that will take more than the couple days we had to fix). Make sure you have plenty of water; trekking poles highly recommended.

We ran into several PCT hikers who seemed a bit shellshocked by how tough the climb up from the Napeequa was (especially immediately after going up and over Boulder Pass). We recommend folks give themselves more time than they think they need to get up from the Napeequa, and do NOT take a chance on hiking this section in the dark, as one unfortunate pair we ran into did. But if you come properly prepared, this is a spectacular climb with unforgettable views of one of the Cascades’ most remote and iconic glacial valleys.

Other notes: The trail was very busy with hunters and PCT hikers, so camp spots are limited on the Chiwawa side of Little Giant Pass. There are NO viable camps between the Napeequa valley bottom and Little Giant Pass, and just one trickle of a water source about halfway up—plan accordingly. Please also park thoughtfully as there is limited space at the Little Giant trailhead.

This is an absolutely beautiful time of year to be on this trail! The weather is pleasant, bugs nonexistent, and fall colors at their most stunning.

Gorgeous hike that delivers a big payoff at the Pass. The climb up is challenging, but worth the effort.

The river is extremely low, so fording it was no problem. We did take the time to switch into water shoes, as there are no rocks to hop across. (See photo)

Several forest service crews were out clearing the logs and dense brush, so you can look forward to a nicely groomed trail.

Fall colors are starting and berries are ripe and plentiful. We saw a bear off in a distant meadow, but then came upon a hunter who was watching him through his scope. We chatted with him briefly and learned that more hunters would be arriving for the start of deer hunting season on Sunday. My advice - wear bright colors! 

First of all, thanks to Paul Kriloff for the excellent hike description.  Here are a few observations based on my hike.  The Chiwawa crossing was easy:  calf high (I'm 5'3").  After crossing the creek, go straight ahead on the rocky beach to the trees.  The left side is blocked with down trees; there is a small dirt path to the right; that's the trail.  It is very easy to follow the start of the trail:: it crosses a channel of May creek, goes through a camp site and meanders through the forest.  In several places, the path is marked with big cairns.  

As for trail condition, there are many downed trees, but I only had to work to cross a couple. Most are easily stepped over.  The brushiest section of the trail is between Little Giant Creek and the open rock section.  It's discouraging, but short, and mercifully interrupted by a section in the woods. 

Lots of ripe blueberries in the alpine meadow; just enough to keep me from being discouraged when I thought I would never reach the top.  

The river crossing was fine, water is about knee-height and the current is flowing strong. We found the trail on the other side after a couple of minutes searching through the brush. Then it opens back up and the trail is ok up thru the switchbacks. Then you start running into many downed trees of various difficulties to cross (speaking as a 5’7” woman), and the trail becomes more and more overgrown until you’re bushwhacking through it and the trail is easy to lose. Our plan was to cross over the summit of the pass and head towards Lake Triad and then Buck Creek trail on our third day. We were not prepared for the rain today (which is on us obviously) and turned back before even reaching the pass. But due to the overgrowth we wouldn’t have made our planned campsite before dark even if the weather had been dry. It slowed our pace down by more than 50%, and getting poured on by water from the bush made it miserable.
We turned back just before the waterfall that’s right about the tree line, so can’t speak to conditions past that.
I’ve done the hike 4 years ago and the views are incredible. Hopefully some trail maintenance can be done soon.