Photo Submitted by: Mountaineer14411

Nestled in the Northern Cascades lies Mount Pilchuck, a moderate yet at times, dangerous, climbing destination. The trail starts out in an old growth forest and switches back to the top of an old abandoned ski slope and eventually ends up at the summit. Atop the summit is a lookout tower which was originally built in 1918 by the forest service. It was abandoned around the 1960's, right around the time the ski resort opened. The ski resort was eventually closed in 1980 because of poor snow conditions in the area. The lookout tower is now maintained by the USFS and the Everett Mountaineers.

The round-trip to the summit lookout and back is just over 6 miles with an elevation gain of about 2,200 feet.

The trail rounds the base of Little Pilchuck and climbs to a saddle at 1.5 miles, elevation 4,600 feet. If you are experienced in scrambling and route-finding, you can follow the paint on a scramble route to the summit and lookout. Or you can stay on the main trail another half-mile up the southwest slopes to the summit. You might need to help small children negotiate the last few boulders to the lookout and PLEASE!!!!! keep an eye on the kids while up there.
One of the potentially dangerous weather conditions at Pilchuck is fog. Fog can be a problem at times making visibility poor, it can get a little confusing if you haven't been here before or even if you have. The route where the trail winds through the rocks is marked with yellow paint splotches, along with newer painted paw prints, which kids seem to love.

From the summit one can see views of Mt. Adams, Mount Rainer, Mount Baker, Three Fingers Mountain, Seatle skyline and most of Puget Sound.

Below cliffs to the north is Frozen Lake, which can be reached on a rough way-trail that begins at a switchback down lower on the trail. Do not descend to the lake from the summit. It's too steep and dangerous. However, experienced hikers can descend a way-trail along the ridge to the east into a neat area of meadows and tarns sometimes referred to as the Poor Man's Enchantments or Twenty Lakes Basin. Another lake to check out while in this area is Heather Lake. Great views of Mount Pilchuck can be seen from this lake.

Getting There

From Seattle, drive 28 miles north on Interstate 5 to exit 194 (City Center/Stevens Pass). Drive six miles east on U.S. Highway 2 to the state Route 9 exit near Snohomish. Follow Route 9 north to state Route 92. Turn right and follow Route 92 eight miles east to Granite Falls. At the end of town, turn left (north) on Mountain Loop Highway. If you go pass the high school you are in the right direction. Drive 13 miles (about one mile past the Verlot Public Service Center) and turn right (south) on Mount Pilchuck Road (Forest Service Road 42). Drive seven miles to the parking lot at the end of the road.

There is plenty of parking available at the trailhead, probably enough for about 200 cars.
For those whom are interested, there is also a toilet available at the trailhead, to get you off to a good start.

Red Tape

A NW Forest Pass is required at the trailhead.

Other places to get a NW Forest Pass besides the link I have provided above are REI, the Verlot Public Service Center (they now have a vending machine outside where one can be purchased), and some nearby grocery stores, although I do not have details on which ones. If anyone has more information on where else to purchase them, feel free to let me know and I will add them to the text.

Road is open in the Winter, but road conditions can get pretty rough, i.e. Potholes/Snow. So proceed with caution.

ROAD INFORMATION - 1-206-455-7900

Verlot Ranger Station
33515 Mountain Loop Highway
Granite Falls, WA 98252
1-360-691-7791 - Summer only

When To Climb

Photo Submitted By: Bicyclebob

Best time to climb without snow is late June through early November.
There is less people traffic in the Winter time, but if climbing in winter conditions, please have knowledge of climbing in snow and ice. At minimum, I would recommend snowshoes and Ice axe and knowledge of their proper use.
Also if climbing in winter conditions please check MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS section for AVALANCHE DANGER and call the phone numbers provided.

Mountain Conditions/Weather links

Click the Satellite picture for a video loop of current weather

CURRENT AVALANCHE DANGER SUMMARY FOR WASHINGTON

CURRENT SNOW CONDITIONS

Verlot Ranger Station
33515 Mountain Loop Highway
Granite Falls, WA 98252
1-360-691-7791 - Summer only

HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS:

AVALANCHE AND SNOW DANGER - 1-206-526-6677
ROAD INFORMATION - 1-206-455-7900

2skinners Other Mountain Pages

Feel free to check out my other mountain pages.

CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS:
Hippo Butte
Red Buttes
Schonchin Butte

DELAWARE MOUNTAINS (HIGHPOINT):
Ebright Azimuth

OREGON MOUNTAINS:
Bolan Mountain
Crater Lake Caldera
Grizzly Peak
Lower Table Rock
Mount Ashland
Mount Thielsen
Soda Mountain
South Sister
Upper Table Rock

WASHINGTON MOUNTAINS:
Discovery Peak
Colonel Bob

External Links
Seattle P.I.
Getaways Column #3

Seattle P.I.
Getaways Column #2

Seattle P-I
Getaways Column #1

Mount Pilchuck Lookout Tower

Local Hikes.com

Washington State Parks Page - Mount Pilchuck

Skagit Journal Article on Fire & Lookout Towers

Images
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