[Exmoor]

I'm headed up to the base of Glacier Peak early next week, mostly in search of high altitude bird species. In my research I came across a map of the Glacier Peak Meadows Trail, which I'd never heard of. Someone did post a screenshot of a map (attached, sorry I don't recall whose post it was for credit) with a trail. Since this is the only map I've seen of this trail I was curious if anyone had any information on it? Is it established and fairly easy to find from the east side?

GlacierPeakMeadowsTrail

[yukon222]

I'm not familiar with that trail, but I think the pic below might be of those meadows. I took it from the top of White Mountain during "The Painted Traverse" trip. Looking South from the peak, it is in the general correct direction of your meadows. Lush area even though we were there on September 1st, 2012.

DSF_2497 - Ridge Ramblin'

[gmjbs]

Access from the east I think is from what's known as the Foam Creek Trail, which also provides access to the pretty cool White Chuck Basin. There's a good report with descriptions, pictures, etc. of access from that side in the trip report here https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8012725

[neek]

Huh, aerial maps do show trail remnants along that path, starting about 1/4 mile down the outlet stream of Lake 6443 and meeting the PCT at 5500 ft as your map shows. Seems like a fun adventure for someone with good wilderness navigation skills and ability to handle rough terrain.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

I've passed through there. Bits and pieces of a boot path but not much. Terrain is easy enough to navigate through though. Follows a really cool outlet with a series of waterfalls. Some pics in this TR of mine. https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8012397

[Exmoor]

[braincloud]

[D.B. Cooper]

I was in that area around 2003 I believe. I camped North of the site of the old shelter on the map. Visited the Cinder Cone in the morning then crossed over the PCT and headed up to Lake 6443. I was probably on the route of your trail starting at around the 6000' contour. I don't recall ever noticing a trail. But like previously mentioned the whole area is pretty wide open so no trail needed.

[Jordan]

The trail is there, stay to the right of that lake just where it shows on the map. I went through a couple years ago. It was easy enough to follow. My 14 year old son made it no problem.

[mbravenboer]

This is a big panorama from White Mountain. If you download it and zoom into the creek then you can see a bootpath there.

Glacier Peak and the White Chuck Glacier

If you go there and like views, definitely take the effort to go up White Mountain. Wonderful views. This trip was in late September and the crisp air and blueberry colors were wonderful. This was the view south to the PCT:

White Pass with Indian Head Peak in the background

This is the ridge east of White Mountain showing the same creek. If you're okay with off-trail travel, it's mostly fairly easy terrain.

Foam ridge from White Mountain

[contour5]

Easiest access would be N. Fork Sauk trail. White Pass to Red Pass, then down the PCT to intersect the drainage that leads up into the meadowy basin. Or you could go from White Pass to Foam Creek Pass and drop down to the lower basin. Actually, Foam Creek might be easier... you could make a superdiscombobulating micro-loop by going in one way and out the other! A larger loop is possible by entering/exiting through Lost Creek Ridge or Pilot Ridge. These loops both add a relatively insignificant number of miles while providing twice the experiential cartographology, compared to a simple in-and-out.

WC-Cinder-Cone

The meadows step up just right of center in this picture. The trail down from Red Pass is on the right side. Cool map, but it's seriously outdated. The Suiattle Glacier has retreated rather severely, resulting in substantial alterations to the terrain. The barren wasteland of new tarns on the benches above the meadows seem to stand as a stark, screaming siren of something something. Edit: What kind of bird are you looking for?

[olderthanIusedtobe]

[Exmoor]

[olderthanIusedtobe]

That sounds cool, good luck with your Big Year.

[Brushwork]

I don't know if this matters but for what it's worth... the area of White chuck glacier basin and adjacent "basin" to the south (while cool) has very few trees. In fact vegetation in general. A few trees on the ridges. But mostly rock. The area nearer to Red Pass, including the low valley between RP & WCGB has much more vegetation. I would think those valleys would be worth checking for birds. A bunch of willow there. Good luck!