White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop
~3 days · 25.9 mi · hard · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop is known for
Loop in the Glacier Peak Wilderness from the North Fork Sauk trailhead, climbing through old-growth forest to White Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail and returning over Pilot Ridge past Blue Lake. About 27-29 miles with over 5,000 ft of gain; typically 2-3 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 6,781 ft to 20,236 ft over 25.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 14.3 mi · 57%
- Downhill 9.3 mi · 37%
- Flat 1.7 mi · 7%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop scores 31/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop take?
Most backpackers hike the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 25.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop?
The White Pass – Pilot Ridge Loop climbs roughly 8,484 ft total — about 328 ft per mile, topping out near 6,339 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.