3 days, Glacier Peak Wilderness, Sauk River, White Pass, Pilot Ridge

Starting at the Sauk River trailhead off of Mountain Loop Highway, this ~33 mile loop hike takes us into the Glacier Peak Wilderness, one of the most remote wilderness areas in all of the lower 48 states. After a few miles of old-growth forest, the trail climbs nearly 5000 ft. to White Pass. Day two was spent on high ridges, mostly above 6000 ft, until a steep climb up and over a rocky ridge to Blue Lake... one of the great gems of the North Cascades. Day three is mostly along Pilot ridge, a lesser used trail, yet with spectacular views continuing along it, though also with a staggering number of blowdowns from a 2025 winter storm. The trail descends back down to the Sauk, where we find our way across without a bridge, before returning through the lowland rain-forest giants about 2 miles back to our starting point. Absolutely glorious in mid-late September colors!