Hey all -
I just thru-hiked the Washington section of the PCT. I used Jonathan Ley’s “unnoficial” detour around Glacier Peak, via High Pass. This alternative worked really well! (http://www.phlumf.com/pct/pctalt.htm). Ley’s route follows the official detour to the Napeequa River, then heads west over High Pass to Buck Creek Pass. As of this posting, the High Pass Route is COMPLETELY SNOW FREE and is about 20 miles shorter than the official USFS detour. Suprisingly, Ley’s “off-trail” route is is mostly on well constructed trails and route finding isn’t very difficult.
The official detour over Little Giant Pass is much less scenic and involves A LOT more climbing than Ley’s alternative. If you’re not taking pack animals, I highly recommend taking this detour over High Pass.
That said, here are a few important notes:
** The Napeequa River current is FAST. Even if you take the official detour, you’ll have to ford this river. When I crossed at 10:30 am, the water was thigh-high. This was comparable to an early-season ford of Evolution Creek in California. I would avoid fording in the afternoon.
** The High Pass trail junction along the Napeequa River isn’t signed. About 40 yards above the creek draining High Pass, you’ll find an old and very steep trail climbing through alder. The first 700 vertical feet of climbing are SUPER STEEP. Don’t worry, the trail is more gradual after you reach an open grassy knoll at the lip of the hanging valley.
** From the grassy knoll, the vague trail follows the creek for a quarter-mile before dissappearing. Cross to the east side of the stream and you’ll find an on-again-off-again trail that follows the creek.
** DO NOT climb towards the obvious grassy pass. That isn’t High Pass. In fact, you won’t see High pass until you’re on it.
** Where the creek turns sharply east towards steep bluffs and rock, cross to the north side and find the trail on the steep heather just next to the torrent. At about 6750’, you’ll come to a trail junction. To the right (east) is the Louis Creek High Route. To the left (north) is the High Pass trail - climbing up a steep heather hillside. From here, the route to High Pass should be obvious.
** North of High Pass, you’ll drop briefly to cross a talus field then climb again to a ridge. Beyond this point, the trail to Buck Creek Pass is easy to follow. If its a weekend, you’ll probably even see day-hikers.
** As for camping, there are many great flat spots around High Pass in the sandy glacial wash. From here, you’ll have FANTASTIC views of Glacier Peak.
I’m sorry if this is “information overload,” but I hope it helps!
-Victor
Victor