Glacier Peak Itinerary

Day 1 – North Fork Sauk Trailhead to Mackinaw Shelter

We meet at our Seattle office for a 6:30 a.m. orientation and gear check. A big part of developing the necessary skills of mountaineering starts with having the proper equipment and food. Your guides will discuss each piece of gear and ensure that everything is in good condition and is a proper fit. They will evaluate conditions, discuss the weather forecast, and give a route overview. We’ll also review packing our backpacks, wilderness ethics, and Leave No Trace practices.

From the office, we will drive to the North Fork Sauk River trailhead (2,100 ft). Our approach begins in towering old growth forests of the North Fork Sauk River Valley. We’ll warm up and acclimate to the weight of our backpacks on the first five miles of mellow trail to the Mackinaw Shelter, where we’ll make our first camp.

• Altitudes: North Fork Sauk River Trailhead – 2,100 ft / Mackinaw Shelter – 3,000 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,400 ft ↑ / 500 ft ↓
• Mileage: 5 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours ↑

Day 2 – Mackinaw Shelter to High Camp

After breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and continue toward Glacier Peak. Shortly after the shelter, the trail begins gaining elevation in earnest for roughly 3 miles to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (6,000’). Although this stretch is steep, there will be glimpses of the mighty Sloan Peak, fields of wildflowers, and whistling marmots.

From the junction of the PCT, we’ll hike to White Pass, where we’ll meet up with the Foam Creek Trail which we’ll follow to the edge of the White Chuck Glacier around 6,800’ where we’ll establish our high camp.

• Altitudes: Mackinaw Shelter – 3,000 ft / High Camp – 6,800 ft
• Elevation Change: 4,100 ft ↑ / 300 ft ↓
• Mileage: 7 mi ↑
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours ↑

Day 3 – Training and Rest at High Camp

Today is all about learning the ropes of glacier travel. After a good night’s sleep to recover from the last two days of approach, we will begin a robust day of training.

Guides will cover managing risk on the climb, including glacier travel, self-arrest, crampon technique, ice axe usage, and proper rope techniques including knots. With a break for lunch and some additional practice to follow, training will take most of the day.

After an early dinner, we will head to bed in anticipation of a pre-dawn start for the summit, resting and recovering as much as possible.

Day 4 – High Camp to Summit to High Camp or White Pass

Summit day! We get a pre-dawn start (alpine start) to take advantage of the best snow conditions on our journey towards the summit. The climb is very remote with a few short steep sections as we head around Disappointment Peak and climb snow and rock slopes on our way to the summit at 10,520’.

Expect sweeping panoramic views of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Mount Baker, and Mount Rainier. After descending from the summit, we will either return to our high camp, or move our camp back towards White Pass, shortening our final day’s mileage and debriefing our summit day.

• Altitudes: High Camp – 6,800 ft / Summit – 10,520 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,720 ft ↑ / 3,720 ft ↓
• Mileage: 4.5 mi ↑ / 4.5 mi ↓
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ↑ / 3-4 hours ↓

If moving back to White Pass after Summit:

• Altitudes: White Pass – 5,800 ft
• Elevation Change: 1,000 ft ↓
• Mileage: 3 mi ↓
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours ↓

Day 5 – White Pass to North Fork Sauk Trailhead

We’ll hike the final distance along the river and through the old growth forest, aiming to reach the trailhead in the early afternoon. We’ll rest our tired legs in the van on the drive back to Seattle, stopping for a celebratory meal en route.

• Altitudes: White Pass – 5,800 ft / North Fork Sauk Trailhead – 2,100 ft
• Elevation Change: 3,700 ft ↓
• Mileage: 9 mi ↓
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours ↓