Mount Pilchuck
Jan 31, 2010
by
D.Baxter
—
last modified
Feb 02, 2010 09:22 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Mount Pilchuck
- Region: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
- Agency: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest - Darrington Ranger District
- Trails: Mount Pilchuck (#700)
- Avg Rating: 4.25
- Be Aware Of
- Mudholes
- Snow on trail
- Avalanche danger
Snow free road and trailhead.
Who would have thought the road to Mt Pilchuck would be open, let alone snow free, at the end of January? We were surprised to drive all the way to the trailhead with only a couple snowy chunks along the side of the road. We left the trailhead under a steady drizzle, again with no snow to be seen. There was actually more snow here back in early November, our last visit! We only began to hit snow beyond the rocky switchback where the trail emerges towards the old ski slopes. Here it was only a few inches though.
We finally began to see real snow once we reached the open slopes. It wasn't that deep though and some rocks, as well as the old ski tower base, were still visible. We played leap-frog with a group of four, finally passing them near the ridge as they took a wrong turn. Another hiker using an umbrella passed us here. We made short work of the final trip to the tower. The track this time led to the opposite side of the tower, bypassing the ladder. The rocks were well covered with snow but slippery.
Sadly it was still more rain than snow, way up at 5300 ft! This time the lookout was not encased in ice and another hiker had been able to open the door. We propped up one shutter with our trekking poles for some light and slipped inside to dry off our soaking gear and have a nice lunch. Winds were very calm for once. We stayed about 20 minutes before the dampness led to cold, descending the way we came.
The snow level had dropped a few hundred feet but it was still mostly rain. We managed a few nice but short glissades. The upper snowy layer would slough off after the first slide, resulting in a faster run for the second person. At one point Beth took a slide off the top of a large rock slab, catching some air, before crashing down into the snow. Thankfully it was a soft landing!
We made it the rest of the way down soggy and cold but without incident and detoured to Neopolis in Lake Stevens for pizza. Highly recommended! They also give a 10% discount if you pay in cash.
Snowshoes and ice axes carried but not used. Traction devices would be useful since the packed trail is slippery.
We finally began to see real snow once we reached the open slopes. It wasn't that deep though and some rocks, as well as the old ski tower base, were still visible. We played leap-frog with a group of four, finally passing them near the ridge as they took a wrong turn. Another hiker using an umbrella passed us here. We made short work of the final trip to the tower. The track this time led to the opposite side of the tower, bypassing the ladder. The rocks were well covered with snow but slippery.
Sadly it was still more rain than snow, way up at 5300 ft! This time the lookout was not encased in ice and another hiker had been able to open the door. We propped up one shutter with our trekking poles for some light and slipped inside to dry off our soaking gear and have a nice lunch. Winds were very calm for once. We stayed about 20 minutes before the dampness led to cold, descending the way we came.
The snow level had dropped a few hundred feet but it was still mostly rain. We managed a few nice but short glissades. The upper snowy layer would slough off after the first slide, resulting in a faster run for the second person. At one point Beth took a slide off the top of a large rock slab, catching some air, before crashing down into the snow. Thankfully it was a soft landing!
We made it the rest of the way down soggy and cold but without incident and detoured to Neopolis in Lake Stevens for pizza. Highly recommended! They also give a 10% discount if you pay in cash.
Snowshoes and ice axes carried but not used. Traction devices would be useful since the packed trail is slippery.
|
Snowy around the tower and the rocks are slick. Be careful.
|
Be sure to lower the shutters, close the door, and sweep up the snow you track in before leaving the tower.
|
Snowy slopes of the old ski area.
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
