Authorized newspaper of Joint Base Lewis-McChord
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Hikers view the setting sun from the fire lookout on top of Mount Pilchuck Feb 20. Originally built in the 1920's the lookout has been rebuilt and restored numerous times by volunteers.
Mount Pilchuck is one of the easiest and most accessible peaks in the Cascade Mountain Range. The peak rises a mile above the surrounding hills. From the top on a clear day, the Olympics and the Cascades loom before you. Three Fingers and Whitehorse mountains seem only a few miles away.
Normally in February this trail isn’t accessible due to snow, but the trail is already halfway melted out.
This hike is one of the easiest peak hikes near Seattle. From start to finish it has an elevation gain of 2,200 feet. A 5.4-mile roundtrip, a casual hiker can easily accomplish the hike in a few hours. The trail begins in a forest of cedar and hemlock trees and quickly climbs switchbacks up to an abandoned ski slope. About halfway up the switch- backs, the snow line starts: Traction devices like crampons or micro spikes are recommended.
The trail continues on to the base of Little Pilchuck and climbs a saddle at 1.5 miles. The trail currently goes in two different directions: up over the saddle or continuing straight. The saddle trail is the safer choice. You won’t have to navigate a 200-foot ice cliff or walk near cornices. The last 1.1 mile snakes up the mountain until you reach the last few hundred feet of large granite boulders.
At the top of Mount Pilchuck is a fire lookout that was built in the 1920s. Since then, it has been rebuilt and restored numerous times by volunteers. You can actually stay overnight in the lookout on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once inside the fire lookout you can step back in time and see pictures and history of Mount Pilchuck mounted on the fire lookout’s wall.
This hike is relatively easy in fair weather, if you come prepared. People have been hurt and killed attempting to hike this mountain. The current snow conditions make this hike challenging in fair weather. Check your local weather forecasts before attempting this hike.
Getting there: Take SR 92 to Granite Falls, and then just follow the Mountain Loop Highway east. Cross the blue bridge just past the Verlot Ranger Station over the South Fork Stillaguamish River and turn right on the Mount Pilchuck Road. The trailhead is another seven miles down Mount Pilchuck Road on the right side.
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