Pilot Ridge-North Fork Sauk loop, Glacier Peak Wilderness

The Grand Dishpan Gap loop and Pilot Ridge-North Fork Sauk loop are excellent neighboring ridge tours of the Glacier Peak and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness areas. Both loops are almost exactly 30 miles with options to add some easy walk-up peaks.

Today I did the Pilot-Sauk loop counterclockwise and added the short side trip up Johnson Mountain (6721'). An easterly breeze kept morning travel cool, yet a little hazy from the east-side fires (Wolverine Creek probably?).

I was finally able to manage the heat well and move strong all day; I think I was due :) . Thanks to the backpacking party of four near Indian Pass for recognizing me! That was a nice surprise and it was good to chat in the shade for a few minutes.

Relevant trail conditions (all in pretty good shape!):

• Pilot Ridge: 5-10 blowdowns with a few requiring some awkward straddling/climbing over. One creek flowing three miles in from the NF Sauk trail head, then dry until Blue Lake.
• Pacific Crest Trail: some water flowing north of Indian Pass, on the west side of Indian Head Peak. 
• North Fork Sauk: streams flowing after the trail turns off the PCT, before the switchbacks. Completely logged out as well. Amazing old growth...

Footlog across the NF Sauk to the Pilot Ridge trail

Climbing up to Pilot Ridge

Mount Pugh and White Chuck Mountain

For some reason I think these look like Dr. Seuss-style mustaches..

The Monte Cristo group and Sloan Peak, from western Pilot Ridge

Pilot Ridge trail through the flowers

Pilot Ridge trail toward Johnson Mountain

Chipmunk and marmot lookouts

North Fork Sloan Creek and the Monte Cristo group

Small backpackers on a big ridge; looking back from Johnson Mountain

Blue Lake and the high trail over the pass, from midway up Johnson Mountain

Glacier Peak and Tenpeak Mountain (far right), from Johnson Mountain summit 6721'

Some of the most vibrant paintbrush I've seen

Look back west down Pilot Ridge from the pass

Both sides of the sign are Wilderness :)

Unnamed falls/creek east of Foam Creek (?)

Loads of lupine along the PCT

Indian Head Peak, from just before White Pass

Pretty much shows the whole route along the ridges

Back at the car...a darn good day...