[rxmarcus]

I will be flying into Seattle from Indianapolis from 8/21-8/27 and am looking for a great backpacking trip. This community was super helpful while I was planning my trip Spider Gap/Buck Creek trip 2 years ago. That became and still remains my favorite trip of all time. What I’m looking for: Location: Anything within a 3ish hour drive of SeaTac Length: 4 nights/5 days; 10-12 miles a day, and up to 15 miles. So probably the 40-50 mile range. Scenery: What I loved so much about the Glacier Peak trip was the diversity; flower-filled meadows, peaks, lakes, ice fields, pine forests, it had it all. I’d love a trip with similar diversity. I’d also love to camp at one crazy cool site that just elevates the whole trip. Like the sheep camp from Spider Gap loop or the Overmountain Shelter along the AT. Logistics: A loop hike is ideal; point-to-point is not in the cards, and I’m not a big out-and-back fan. I am looking for a hike with a permit that is easy to obtain in advance or doesn’t require one at all. I’d love to do the Copper Ridge Loop, but don’t want to risk not getting a permit the day of, and I don’t have the time luxury to wait until the next day. Options I currently have: Foss-Necklace Loop – only ~30 miles though, what side trips or cool areas can I explore to extend it? Northern Loop Trail – this looks really cool, and I’d probably extend with Spray Park section. But what are the logistics for this hike? Easy to get permits? Do you camp only in designated campsites that need to be reserved in advance? Snoqualmie-Snow Lake-Middle Fork-PCT loop – Its about 60 miles and seems like a ton of up-and-down the whole way, but if its worth it, I’m game Enchanted Valley-Lacrosse (sorta) loop – also topping out around 60 miles and the farthest travel time from SeaTac White Pass-Pilot Ridge Loop Goat Rocks Loop I'd welcome another trip option I haven't mentioned/probably don't know about. Any and all advice, recommendations, etc would be awesome. Thanks so much! Mark

[altersego]

Hello, fellow Hoosier! I think you could put in those miles in the Goat Rocks starting at Berry Patch TH and going to Walupt Lake, then back on the 7A trail. We did it but not really 10-12 miles a day. You could hike fewer miles, doing side trips (Heart Lake, up the PCT, etc) to add the extra milage after setting camp. Loowit Trail isn't quite as much mileage, but it's definitely a loop and permitting isn't a big deal. Definitely looks like a challenging, unique hike.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

A bit of a guess on my part, but I don't think getting permits for the Copper Ridge loop would be more difficult than Northern Loop at Rainier. Which is to say you could be out of luck for either one, or you might get exactly what you'd like.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Pilot Ridge/White Pass is great, as you know you already dig the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It's well short of 50ish mile range but you could easily add miles by adding a bit of out and back on the PCT. Or starting the hike at Lost Creek Ridge instead (would require approx. 4 miles of road walking either at the beginning or at the end to close the loop)--this is completely dependent on there still being a good log crossing over the White Chuck River where you come down from Lake Byrne, and I can't confirm that currently. Also if you camp at White Pass I would highly recommend a layover day and loop hike along Foam Creek, White Chuck Basin, could even extend it to Glacier Gap on the approach to Glacier Peak, down to Glacier Peak Meadows and a return to the PCT back to camp. Would be pretty easy to get yourself up to 50 miles I think.

[rxmarcus]

I'll check out the Goats Rocks trails mentioned and the Pilot Ridge/White Pass additions. Great info for sure! Thank you both. Also good to know about the possibility of getting a Northern Loop permit. I wouldn't mind trying for it or for the Copper Ridge loop, so long as I had nearby options for as backup trip. Especially if it’s really worth it to try because the parks and the scenery really are that special, even compared to other areas of the Cascades.

[InFlight]

Goat Rocks is Fantastic and a must do. 360 degree views of Adams, St Helens, and Rainer in places. Very popular place in August, suggest mid-week only. August unfortunately is the fire season, so best to have some alternatives. There are some very nice loops north of Mount St Helens in the Mount Margaret area, In the Olympics I’d suggest the Seven Lakes Loop (pushing drive time some).

[Jordan]

[Navy salad]

[Sculpin]

[Navy salad]

[rxmarcus]

Fantastic info and ideas everyone. It’s really helpful to get some ways to extend Pilot Ridge-White Loop. Route finding tips are always much appreciated too. Goat Rocks continues to intrigue as it’s a different type of scenery. It’s helpful to know that the Snoqualmie Loop probably isn’t too much different in terms of elevation changes than the others hikes. It’s the only profile that I have checked out on Caltopo so far. Thanks again for the input thus far.

[Jordan]

[rxmarcus]

I have finally had a chance to look into this suggested route and it looks amazing! I think the addition of the White Chuck Glacier is fantastic and will add another cool and different element to the hike. I do have a questions: 1. Which direction should I hike it? Clockwise from the Lost Ridge TH, towards Round Lake and Lake Bryne? Or counterclockwise from the Sauk towards Blue Lake? If the Lost Creek bridge/log being out is a potential issue, should I start with that so I don't potentially get stuck hiking out? 2. I would prefer to get the road walk over with on day 1. If I ended the hike with Lost Ridge, is it possible to park there as opposed to the Sauk TH? 3. I love the idea of extending the hike from White Pass to Foam Creek to the White Chuck Basin. Is there a pretty established trail? I found this image from a member of this community on their TR, I assume that this is it?

4. Based on the map image above, should I take the High Route or High Route Alternative back to the PCT? Does it even matter? Thanks so much!

[Jordan]

[olderthanIusedtobe]