Rising 1 mile above the surrounding countryside and perched on the west-ern edge of the Cascades, Pilchuck packs some of the best panoramic viewing to be found in these parts. From its historical and restored fire lookout, scan the horizon-from Rainier to Baker, Glacier Peak to the Olympics, Seattle to the San Juans-and every jagged, rugged, and snow-capped peak lining the Mountain Loop Highway. One of the most popular hikes in Washington, Pilchuck is a "social mountain."Expect company and enjoy the camaraderie.

While not an overly difficult hike, scores of hikers each year end up injuring themselves or worse on this little mountain each season. Why? Its easy accessibility and proximity to the Greater Pugetopolis make it an attractive destination for ill-prepared neophytes. Snow often lingers late, making an easy hike in August potentially dangerous in June. And while the distance isn't great, parts of the trail are rocky, muddy, and slippery-not a problem for experienced hikers, but potentially troublesome for others.

The hike starts on what was once a service road to ski slopes on the mountain. Skirt the base of the rapidly growing-in former ski area, entering mature forest of hemlock and yellow cedar. Hop across a small creek, and at 0.25 mile enter Mount Pilchuck State Park. Much of the mountain, as well as Pinnacle Lake, are contained within a 1900-acre Washington State Parks property. The trail is jointly managed with the U.S. Forest Service. And thanks to the Washington Trails Association and its volunteers, a good portion of it has been recently reconstructed and reinforced with solid cribbing and steps.

At 0.7 mile briefly pass through a scree slope that offers a small scenic taste of what lies ahead. The trail rounds the mountain's northwest shoulder, breaks out into heather and granite gardens, and then ratchets up the climbing. The rocky summit comes into view-and so do scores of other summits. The way angles for a 4700-foot saddle between the summit and Little Pilchuck and then wraps around the mountain's south side. After a scenic traverse along the summit ridge, the trail heads back toward the summit block, ending with a boulder scramble for the final 100 feet to the attractive restored lookout.

You can easily while away time in the lookout, a virtual museum with its many historical exhibits. But no doubt the outside attraction-one of the finest views in the Cascades-has captured your attention. Peer north to Three Fingers, Baker, Shuksan, and the Stillaguamish Valley and east to Glacier, Big Four, Dickerman, Index, and the Spada Reservoir. Rainier dominates the southern sky. On the western front, it's Seattle, Everett, and Puget Sound with its myriad islands and inlets, all capped off by the Olympic Mountains. What a view!