<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/15175504215/in/album-72157647365851845" title="White Chuck Basin and Glacier Peak"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/3894/15175504215_28f13575b2_b.jpg" alt="White Chuck Basin and Glacier Peak"/></a> - [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/albums/72157647365851845/) - ~30 miles, ~7500ft elevation gain - Area: [[Glacier Peak Wilderness]] We did this as a 3 day trip, spending one day in the basin. If I would do this trip again, I would probably try to go 4 days. There is a lot to see, and we didn't get to visit some parts that looked really nice. As a 3-day trip, it is still great though. The only thing I would suggest not to do is to camp at White Pass and quickly run in and out of the White Chuck basin, because that would not do the area justice. It is great to camp in the basin, explore the area, and enjoy the different light with sunrise and sunset. The first day we hiked from the [[North Fork Sauk Trail]] trailhead to White Pass, the Foam Creek Trail, and into the White Chuck basin. We camped in area with a great view of Glacier Peak and White Chuck Glacier, with nice tarns and almost no vegetation. We originally intended to camp somewhere on the Foam Creek, but we pushed a bit too far, with nicer and nicer camp spots just around the next corner. The first day ended up being 14 mile. The trail to White Pass is obviously in great condition. Views gradually open up on the Monte Cristos, Sloan Peak and later Indian Heak Peak, Mt. Stuart, Daniel, and a bit of Rainier. The Foam Creek trail is also in pretty good shape. The trail is a little bit washed out in some of the gullies, but this should not be a problem for most hikers, in particular not with poles. The Foam Creek trail has fantastic views on the White River valley and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It takes 3 ridges to get into the White Chuck basin from the Foam Creek trail. The trail from the Foam Creek trail up the first ridge is clearly indicated, and in fact the Foam Creek trail stops almost immediately after the split, never actually reaching Foam Creek. On top of this first ridge you get the first view of [[Glacier Peak]], and you have an awesome view in the distance on the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Rainier. The descent from the first ridge still keeps you in the White River drainage, entering the valley of the Foam Creek and is nasty steep. This would definitely not qualify as a normal hiking trail. On the road back, we decided to explore an alternative route around the ridge (see the track). Initially we staid a bit low assuming that we would hit Foam Creek trail (we didn't know yet that it stopped), so we had to climb up a bit back to trail once we concluded that it was not there. This detour is easy and would prevent the steep terrain. In Routes and Rocks this detour around the first ridge is suggested as well: ![[Pasted image 20250105100625.jpg]] The climb up the second ridge out of the Foam Creek valley is unpleasant as well. It is steep, loose gravel without good swithbacks. It's better than the previous descent though and probably not an issue for experienced hikers, but I'd be nervous with kids there. From the top of this second ridge you see the first high alpine basin, with mostly just tarns, rocks, and snow. On the left there is a nice view on the White Chuck Cinder Cone and the Red Pass. The third ridge that finally brings you to the White Chuck basin is easy, just rocky. We camped in the flat area after this ridge. There are several spots with rock walls, plenty of water and no lack of views. The second day we left our tent behind and did a small loop in the White Chuck Glacier basin, originally intending a fairly big loop to Glacier Gap and the big tarns at 6433 feet. This turned out to be a bit too ambitious because of the long previous day, and we wanted to spend the second night a bit closer to White Pass to make the 3rd day out easier. The day hike in the basin was still absolutely stunning though. We first hiked by the bottom of the White Chuck Glacier, which I can highly recommend, in particular in the morning sun. We walked in the direction of Glacier Gap, eventually turning around and descending to the big muddy lake. After returning to our camp site we packed up and hiked until the end of the Foam Creek trail for the night. The third day we walked out, after meeting a lot of marmots at the Foam Creek trail and White Pass. We briefly considered climbing White Mountain, but decided to leave that for next time. We met a couple that was just starting a Glacier Peak circumnavigation with their dog.