Pilot Ridge Trail #652

Highlights: Mountain views, forest, lakes

Distance: 11.0 miles one-way

Beginning Elevation : 2450 feet (North Fork Sauk Trail #649)

Ending Elevation: 5946 feet (June Mtn)

Difficulty level: Most Difficult

Map(s): Green Trails Sloan Peak #111, Glacier Peak #112, and Benchmark #144

Visitor Use: Medium

SUMMARY:

To access this trail, follow the North Fork Sauk Trail #649 for 2.0 miles, then go right (south) at the junction, crossing the river on a footlog.

The Pilot Ridge trail continues for 3.0 miles, gaining 3000 feet in elevation in a series of switchbacks. The trail follows the ridge up and down, skirting around knobs and sometimes over the tops, coming out of the trees and into meadows with fantastic views.

On a clear day, the view from the ridge is very rewarding. Looking south lies the Monte Cristo Peaks and Mt. Rainier, and to the east Glacier Peak. The first good campsite is at 8.0 miles, near a small tarn on the north side of the ridge, just over the saddle.

At 10.0 miles, a side trail to the east climbs for 1.0 mile to the 6712 foot summit of Johnson Mtn. The main trail continues on, reaching a junction at 10.5 miles. The left fork leads to the cliff-walled, 22.0-acre Upper Blue Lake at 5500 feet, which can remain frozen until mid-August.

The right fork leads to the 3.0-acre Lower Blue Lake after 0.5 miles. The right fork is the main trail, which ends at June Mtn. at a junction with the Bald Eagle Trail #650. The Bald Eagle Trail can be followed east for 2.5 miles to Dishpan Gap at the junction with the Pacfic Crest Trail (PCT) #2000.

You can make a loop trip by traveling north 6.5 miles on the PCT, passing Indian Pass and White Pass and then traveling 8.5 miles down the North Fork Sauk Trail #649. Total length of the loop trip would be 26.0 miles.

TRAILHEAD ACCESS:From the Darrington, travel south on the Mountain Loop Highway approximately 17.0 miles to Sloan Creek Road #49 and turn left (east).

Or from the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls), follow the Mountain Loop Highway 20.0 miles to Sloan Creek Road #49. Turn right (east).

Follow Sloan Creek Road for 6.6 miles to the North Fork Sauk trailhead.

Northwest Forest Pass required to park: Yes

TRAILGUIDE

Best Seasons: Summer/Fall

AREA

Darrington, Mountain Loop Highway

RANGER STATION (NEAREST)

1405 Emmens St. Darrington, WA 98241

Open Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm(360) 436-1155

Verlot PublicService Center

Open Thursday - Monday8 am - 4:30 pm (360) 691-7791

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Notice: Hiking in the backcountry can be dangerous. Information on this website comes from a variety of sources. You have to be responsible for using good common sense and researching trails carefully. Things change constantly in the outdoors.

Use caution while hiking so you can enjoy it safely. Don't get in over your head. A call to the ranger station and avalanche hotline(winter) are highly recommended. Bring the ten essentials and make sure someone knows where you are going and expect to be back.