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William O. Douglas Wilderness Backpack

A 24 mile backpack loop in the wilderness. This is in the fall and by then a frost should have occurred to
kill off mosquitoes. Be prepared for freezing temperatures and possible intermittent mist. The meadows
will all be golden hued. This loop is mostly level except for Cramer Mountain and the climb back up from
Dog Lake to PCT. It’s likely we’ll hear elk bugling and even see some. I will cancel if significant rain is
forecast. NW Wilderness pass needed. Group size limit is 12. Sunrise is about 6am and sunset 7pm
Leave 11 am Friday morning for a drive to White Pass and park on the North side of Highway 12 at the
Pacific Crest trailhead, this is the same parking area near White Pass Campground. It’s a little over 3⁄4
mile past White Pass Ski Area and is marked by the PCT crossing sign, but the turn off is a hundred feet
before the sign. Destination arrival at trailhead about 3:30 pm.
Take the PCT North for about 2 to 4 miles(a little past Sand Lake or when it gets dark) and find a
campsite in a meadow. It’s better to go as far as possible because Saturday is a long day. There are a
number of lakes along this area to get water.
Saturday will be our longest day and we should get going early. Continue following the PCT North past
Beusch, Pipe, Snow, Twin Sisters Lakes, and a hundred meadows, to connect to Tumac Trail(#944). Head
up Cramer Mountain, elevation gain of about 1000ft. Drop back down and connect to Shellrock Lake
Trail (#1142) and find a campsite within next mile. Day total about 12 to 14 miles.
Sunday morning, continue South on Shellrock Lake Trail (#1142) to a crossover trail to Cramer
Lake(#1106). Past Cramer Lake and a downhill section to views of Dog Lake, but wait, we’re not out of
the woods yet, don’t miss this junction. A hard right and uphill 2 miles for lunch at Dark Meadows. After
lunch, hit the PCT South and retrace steps 1.4 miles back to trailhead. About 9 miles total.

Difficulty: Hard

Driving distance 600 miles RT.

Hiking distance 24 miles RT.

Elevation gain: 1000 feet total.

Qualifying Activity: Yes

When:

Friday, September 23, 2022 to Sunday, September 25, 2022

Where:

Trip Leader(s):

Tom Kline

Trip leader

Category:

Backpacking

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