Trip Reports

Trail head is out of snow, but 95% of the trails are under snow. Prepare carefully for snow hikes. Some areas are pretty dangerous, and make sure you follow the footprint most people use.
When coming down, most people slide, and most of the time slide is the only option. You’d better prepare another pants.

We wanted to do the route up Pilchuck from Peggy Goldman's "75 scrambles" which begins with the Pinnacle Lake trail. The road to the trailhead is blocked by snow and blowdowns but we make it to within 1.7 miles of the TH. Navigation issues began almost immediately as the trail is covered by snow and blowdowns, but with a GPS we managed to find our way to the switchbacks up to the ridge. The big old trees are one of the pleasures of this hike. Once on the ridge, clouds mostly prevented views, but sometimes cleared to give us views across the valley and down to Lake 22 .
From Pinnacle Lake we climbed a steep gully to the snowy Bathtub Lakes basin, and with fog limiting our views, used the GPS to head towards Pilchuck. The book unhelpfully gave us the guidance "follow a boottrack". We climbed a ridge and had peek a boo views at times, until as we were nearing a peak on the ridge the clouds cleared and we saw Pilchuck looming ahead. We watched incredulously as a group of insane skiers descended the vertical looking east face. Checking out the route ahead we realized we would have a long down climb then a difficult looking ridge to reach the summit, and as it was late in the day we decided to name our viewpoint “East Pilchuck” and call it a day. 13 miles, 3000'. A good day. Only saw one other hiker. Bring gaitors, iceaxe, skipoles and GPS for this one.

Be prepared for a lot of snow! We had no problem getting to the parking lot but the main trail was inaccessible. There is a distinct path up the snow route that a lot of people on the trail that day were ill-prepared for in their jeans and tennis shoes. We even saw one girl who had a hard time making to the top of a very steep part of the trail only to slip and slide down a dangerous snow chute carved out by other hikers sliding down the mountain. Thankfully she was okay.
    It was really foggy until we reached the lookout and then we were greeted with beautiful blue sky and a sea of clouds. It’s possible to make it to the summit with just some good boots but we also chose to wear micro spikes and we saw a lot of people with ice axes.

No more snow in parking lot, but still a layer of a foot or so covering the last section (100 feet) of the road connecting to the parking lot. We saw a 4x4 truck drive through it without issue.

Small accumulation of snow on the trail for the first several hundred feet, then mostly complete snow coverage the rest of the way. A decent incline with several sections of steep gradient. We were hiking with Vibram Five Fingers, a pair of ice picks and an ice axe. Others we saw were using boots / poles, and some with cross-country skis.

I would advise casual hikers to wait until later in the season to attempt this summit, when there is less snow on the trail, unless they are comfortable / prepared to hike in the snow, familiar with the hike or comfortable following footprints, etc. Summit was mostly clear and beautiful unhindered view all the way around.

Road is now snow free to within just a hundred yards or so of the Mt. Pilchuck Parking / Trailhead. Still a foot or so of snow in the parking lot, but there is room to park along the roadway and walk the short distance to the trailhead. It is still a snow hike up to the lookout and proper gear is recommended. The road is pretty pot-holed for the first 2 miles beyond the gate at Heather Lake Trailhead, and then it smooths out for the next 3.5 miles to Pilchuck. Some of the pot holes are pretty deep and hard to avoid.

To start, you cannot drive to the trailhead because there is snow over the road. There is snow the entire way to the top. It is difficult to hike the mountain in boots. Some folk skied the top and we both skied on the way down. I recommend something celebratory to drink because the hike is a muscle aching nightmare.

The weather was improving so we decided to go up to the lookout to put the shutters up, work on the door and check for any damage Winter might have wrought. We drove up road 42 until reaching snow at 5.3 miles; hiking the remaining 1.7 miles to the trailhead. There is still about 3 feet of snow covering the parking area.
We continued up, taking the Winter-route as the trail is totally snow covered. It's quite steep in places, especially above the saddle (4750') going around to the south side. Using a mountain axe and knowing how to self-arrest is recommended. It took about 4 hours to get to the lookout. We put in 3 hours of work then headed down the same route; taking 1.5 hours.
Only wildflowers seen were skunk cabbage and coltsfoot, along the road.
http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

I took the dog to Mt Pilchuck on Sunday to scout out road/trail conditions and to dig my way into the lookout in hopes of spending the night on new years eve. The road is clear to the Heather Lake TH, and in good shape for shiing and snowshoeing beyond the gate.

I met Tim at the top, who plotted a fine route for me through the powder. I dug my way into the frozen lookout, then hurried home to prepare for the real trip.

Al-Rashid and I had a great night, and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and then a great perspective on the fireworks at midnight. A small plane buzzed the tower in the morning.

More pics and full report at http://jebtastic.blogspot.c[…]ight-at-mount-pilchuck.html

Beautiful hike through the forest that then opens up into a clearing. There was A LOT of snow on the trail most likely around 4000 feet, which lead to a very challenging hike through lots of waste deep snow. Still very hikeable as even with the snow, the trail is well marked with posts, but just be prepared for tons of snow.

The lookout door needed a bit of jiggling as I believe the clips were frozen.

Hiked up Pilchuk today. There's snow the last quarter mile on the road... I made it up fine with FWD but slid around a bit in the parking lot.

The view wasn't great up top... it was partly sunny but the mountains always wrap clouds around themselves. Once we got on the summit ridge (south side of the mountain) there was light snow. The trail was very very icy with some soft snow on top. All the water run off that comes off on the trail was frozen solid (2"+ thick ice). Traction or poles definitely needed. I was using mountaineering boots with poles and my friend had to use microspikes. Coming down was very slow as there was a ton of ice and the danger of slipping was high. Overall, Mt. Pilchuk was beautiful in a few inches of snow. Winter is definitely almost here.

Hiked to lookout in dark and made it before sunrise. Began on trail at 5am, arrived at top by 6:30am. Lot's of water runoff on trail, wear appropriate footwear. Lookout windows are boarded up for winter but did wake three people sleeping comfortably in there when I arrived. Visited a little with them and enjoyed the sunrise. Amazing views and well worth getting up extra early for.

I'M STILL in awe from the panoramic views from the lookout. You could see The Olympics, Mt. Baker, The Enchantments and even Mount St. Helens made an appearance behind Rainier. Today couldn't have been any better!

Trail all the way to the lookout was free of snow with minimal water on the trail. Water was easy to avoid.

Made it to trailhead just fine in a empty van with rear wheel drive. About 4 inches up there on Saturday at the trailhead and closer to 18" at the summit.

Hike was beautiful and well defined all the way up. Caught a 2 min cloud break and it was amazing.. hope others up there got the same luck.

Trailhead 10:30
Summit 12:00

Left Summit 12:40
Car 1:40

A very rainy and wet day, so there's not much to say about the hike. The first 1/2 mile of the hike was quite the challenge as there were very large puddles to get around and some overflowing streams to cross (because of all the water run off). But, nothing a trusty pair of gaiters and waterproof boots can't handle! The trail was rather slick as Pilchuk's trail is very rocky so the ascent and descent were slow. Poor visibility up top, couldn't see anything at all. Very windy as well. once the trail crosses over to the other side of the ridge the wind was blowing at 30+ mph. The little scramble to the lookout was painful with cold hands and wet rocks. All in all a painful yet satisfying day.

Planning on heading up next weekend as there's snow in the forecast!

PS: Not many fall colors to see at this point, or maybe I just wasn't paying too much attention because of the weather.

So, ya wanna be a peak bagger ? If so, only two things are required; (1) a strong love of walking miles on all kinds of rock and (2) the desire to process 6 quarts of water thru your sweat glands. Having neither of these attributes I did this hike anyway and was amply rewarded with soothing sensations of accomplishment as I succumbed to the effects of my post hike medication(s. This high country was trully wild and the views from the lookout are worth the work even if the marine layer fails to dissipate. Geezer pals, Larry, Rado, Randy and I did the three miles up in three hours with all kinds of breaks for gasping and photography. The trail is well marked including a slightly oversize (4' X 8') new sign at the ridge advertizing the direction to the trailhead instead of over a cliff. The Fall colors and rocky terrain entertain the entire route. Saw plenty of people for a weekday - can't imagine what a weekend mob would be like in the lookout. Go anyway. Like my Dad always said, "it builds character".

With the wonderful weather of late drawing to an end, I decided to make one last trip to the top of Pilchuck this season, to see if I couldn't get some good shots of a sunrise through wildfire smoke.

I hiked up the night before, passing a couple who said I missed a spectacular sunset, which raised my hopes for a great sunrise. Made it to the top in time to catch a great moonrise, and – to my surprise – to see the northern lights, which were on display thanks to a recent solar storm.

The next morning's sunrise was less than great – really just hazy, more than anything.. no great colors – but I wasn't upset, as I had caught a great sunrise from the lookout just two months before.

For anybody who may be up for taking supplies to the top: the lookout could use a new notebook for visitors to sign in. There are/were currently two notebooks there, but both chock full from a busy summer. I think that since the books were full, a few people had taken a Sharpie to some of the clean, recently-painted surfaces of the lookout, leaving their names behind for all others to see, dated just the day before, 10/7. I even found one of the couples' tags on a boulder about 100 yards east of the lookout.

Oh, also, the lookout could use a new broom. The one I recall seeing there two months ago has been reduced to just the broomstick – saw it up in the rafters. The floor was littered with some slob's sunflower seeds, and there was no easy way to clean up the mess.

Beautiful fall color and views, trail is in great shape.

Decided to try for a late Sunday in September hike to the usually crowded Mt. Pilchuck. And ... it was a veritable freeway of hikers and unleashed dogs. Why people let their dogs run free on a wilderness trail has never made sense. It maybe works well for them and their dog. The naturally occuring animals must of course run in the other direction in terror. Please put your dog on a leash. Yes, I know you will tell us it's really ok because they are well behaved.
The hike itself is always good. Somewhat of a challenge because of the boulders and rocks. The view from the top is great. Berries were done. Very few wildflowers. Some mushrooms- mostly Russulas. Few birds though the Varied Thrushes were a treat to see.
Final note of caution. Be careful out there. A boy fell from the tower. The papers today said he is recovering with non life threatening injuries. Good news especially for his dad who must have been going through the most difficult time in his life.
Amazing to watch the skill of the Search and Rescue crew. They are definitely heroes.

Got an early start at a foggy trailhead; half way up the mountain we were sweating in the sun.

As a reward for our early start we shared the trail with only two hikers going up, passed at least 10 hiking parties on the way down. If you're a crowd-avoider, definitely a trail for weekdays and early starts.

I love it that this 5.7 mile, well-maintained, rocky trail to a rocky summit really feels like climbing a mountain (which it is)...and that the amazing rebuilt lookout it totally worth the dizzying climb up the boulders and runged ladder at the top. Thank you, Everett Mountaineers.

Today we ate our lunch just below the lookout, gazing across at the hazy ghosts of mountaintops resting in a bed of fog. Smoke from the wildfires in Eastern Washington accompanied us as soon as we left the trees for the open and rocky mountainside.

Returned to misting fog at the trailhead by early afternoon.

Practicing the suggestions for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness from the July/August issue of Washington Trails, we stopped to stretch and massage on the way home (and ate inflammation-reducing foods on the hike as well). Those techniques really seem to be working for me--I haven't required careful prying from the post-hike car ride the last 3 hikes!

This hike is really one that should be experienced by all. It was a little more challenging than previous hikes, but the views are all worth it. The terrain seems to change every half mile, and the hike is never dull. The hike does involve walking on many rocks, so bring some shoes that have support.

The view at the top of the summit is breath taking. I have only been on a little more than a handful of hikes, but this was the best view by far. Parts of the view though were blocked by smoke from far off fires, but still a good view nonetheless.

I parked at the Pilchuck trailhead around 4pm. The road was in good shape with minimal potholes, only minor washboarding in places. Surprisingly there were more than a dozen cars here at this time on a weekday! I was hoping to make camp at the tower for sunset/stars/sunrise photos but opted to throw my bivy bag in as well, just in case there was no room. I also carried a small gas lantern.

The trail is rough and rocky but in good shape. I hadn't hiked the trail off snow for several years and was impressed by the improvements. Markers now closed off the most common ways in which people accidently leave the trail. There is currently no flowing water on the trail except for the creek one crosses in the first quarter mile so bring plenty. There are also no snow patches on the ridge.

I made it to the tower in about an hour and a half at a leisurely pace, dropped my pack inside, and had dinner with several dayhikers. So far it was looking like the tower was mine. But about an hour from sunset three guys from Spain showed up. I was initially annoyed but they were friendly, cheerful, and carried up good beer. I let them have the tower while I (carefully) slept on the catwalk. It was so warm with minimal wind this was much more pleasant.

Around 10pm I fired up the gas lantern to illuminate the tower and we all scrambled out to the small rock knob opposite the tower for photos with stars, the tower, and Everett city lights far below. Amazing sight! And equally amazing to be doing this mid September at 10 pm in just a windbreaker. Sunrise was equally impressive, if slightly disturbing, due to all the fire smoke in the air.

Great night, though given the choice I would probably not sleep in the tower again. I would bring a good headlamp and hike down in the dark.

The Mount Pilchuk trail was very dry (no water source for dogs past the first 1/2 mile) and extremely crowded this Sunday. There were several spots near the summit where hikers were literally bottlenecked by the trail and you had to either wait in line or scramble around the trail on the granite boulders.

Lots of dogs and small children made it to the top, although I'd say the trail is probably a little too rocky for most dogs to enjoy.

Smoke in the air obscured the views...

In general, I'd say this is a an over-rated hike. It's nice, but not really nice enough to warrant the crowds. Also, because of the rocky nature of the trail, I feel that nearby Mt. Dickerman is actually an easy hike (despite longer distance and more elevation gain).

Beautiful hike in stunning late summer weather. Spotted a fast-moving American Pika (rock rabbit). Although dogs are welcome on the trail (and I saw lots), I would not necessarily recommend this as a dog-friendly hike beacuse the lookout tower is not very accessible for medium-large dogs.

Today was a great day for a hike. Beautiful weather and the fact that it was a weekday meant the trail wasn't too crowded. The trail is quite rocky so be careful about your foot placement. Beautiful views, a must do hike. To read more and see pictures, go to
http://livinthehikelife.blogspot.com

What a beautiful day for hike up Mt. Pilchuck! We arrived at the trailhead parking lot at around 9:30am, and the place was packed. We grabbed one of the last remaining spots in the lot, and hit the trail.
  
This trail starts off pretty simple, winding through dense forest, but at around the 1-mile mark, you hit a pretty intense scree slope, and it’s all rocks from there. Well into our climb, the sun was out in full force, and it got pretty hot on the exposed portions of the trail. We reached the summit at around 11:00am, and the lookout was full of people.

This trail is not that difficult, but it’s tough on the ankles/knees on the way down. Also, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular location for Search-and-Rescue operations…we saw a lot of people scrambling to the top of the rock formations at the summit. With sheer 1000’ drops on some sides, it’d be disastrous to lose your footing.

Mt. Pilchuck is many things. It is 2200 ft. gain in 3 miles to a lookout cabin perched on a precarious pinnacle. It is a spectacular viewpoint from Baker to Stuart, and Adams to the Olympics. It is close to Puget Sound and very accessible up a 7 mile road that is paved at its beginning and end but curiously, not in the middle. It is very popular even on weekdays. We encountered over 25 people on top, 20 more ascending as we descended and 8 more passed us.

Pilchuck is also a very rocky stony ankle twisty climb not suitable for dogs. The boulder fields are difficult for our four legged friends and the final 10 yard scramble to the lookout is impossible. We witnessed several animals tied up in the hot sun down below while their owners enjoyed views and lunch atop the lookout. There is no water on this trail except at the very beginning.

The views are really stunning from the summit and inside the lookout are outlines of the views with the principle mountains named.

The trail itself starts out through the woods with many turnpikes and wood steps. Some of the steps are lacking fill gravel so they are more "step over" than "step up". After the first mile, the trail is all laborious rock stepping. There are many orange posts to help guide the way which are particularly useful in winter when snow buries the tread.

 

a day off work, nice late summer day, why not go do mt pilchuck. when i was there in mid july it was a snow trudge up the north side and 3 feet of snow on the south side's summer trail. not so this time, the snow was gone and it was a boulderly and rocky trail to the lookout. there was a half dozen cars at the trailhead by the time i arrived early morning. the tempature was nice and i barely broke i sweat on the way up. people were coming and going as i made my way to the lookout. once there i leashed the dog to a tree at the boulder route to the ladder. the lookout had a fresh coat of paint inside and out. i signed in the register, took a walk around the catwalk snapping pictures and hurried down to my dog. i feasted on some blueberries then sat down for lunch. afterwards more blueberries then we were off back to the parking lot. note: there was no water on the trail for the dog and the only bugs were on the mountains crest.

Arrived at the trail head parking lot just before 8:00 AM and there was plenty of room. The trail is in great shape, (though everything is covered fine slippery dust - watch your step.) The weather was completely clear and the views of Baker, Rainier, etc were amazing. Several Pikas were calling to each other from beneath the rocks. Back down to the parking lot by 11:45 and it was overflowing. Just a quick reminder - the hike involves several bolder fields and a final scramble (scary!) to the lookout - might not be appropriate for some kids, many dogs or folks with a fear of heights.

Bathtub lakes is not for the faint of heart. This is a class 3 Rock scramble. Pathfinging skills are a must. This trail starts off at pinnacle lake and ends at Mt. Pilchuck. The total trip is not that long, but takes a lot of time. Over 4300 foot of elevation gain from start to finish. With many of the assents being very steep.. Over all a great hike..

Video Report here.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5eqewXcZU

They are not kidding when they say to expect company. Check out my blog and look at the pictures...if you were one of the hundreds of people there that day, maybe your even in one of them!
http://kellbell-whywouldany[…]nt-pilchuck-and-masses.html

Incoming cool and breezy weather (with a bit o' rain after midnight) made the bug issue not a big deal. Bugs were much worse at the first half in the forest. Trail was dry and ROCKY. Good boots and sure footing a must. There WAS ripe berries, but very few of them; the Verlot Ranger said he sold 126 parking passes the day before (bushes were well picked over). Mountaineers had just painted the floor of the lookout the day before, and a new (solid) door latch has been installed since last year. It was 60 degrees when we arrived at the lookout at 7pm.
It WAS, however, much more cool than we expected overnight - 50 degrees - and we ended up wearing all our extra clothes IN our sleeping bags. Pretty strong winds too.
Totally clouded in at sunrise (bummer), and it was just starting to break at 8am when we started down.
Not many hikers: saw about 20 coming down, and next day only a handful going up (but it WAS a Monday). We DID hike up with an 11 and 12 year old girls. We took frequent breaks and let them go at their own pace, and made it in 2:40 (we can usually do it in 2:10 with older teens).

     Knowing that this is a popular destination and having a free friday, decided that this was time to finally attempt this hike for the first time. Weather reports were for a cloudy morning and clearing in the afternoon. We started up the trail shortly before 11 am in low cloud conditions. The parking lot had several cars already in it.
     I guess there is an Amazing Race going on and today's destination was Pilchuck. Ran into several families going to the lookout for their next clue. Great idea to get kids on the trail seeing as the views and wildflower are not high on their list of things to do. Other than that the trail was fairly quiet.
    The trail is in good condition and is a great workout. Hard to have a muddy trail when it is mostly stone, boulders and rock slab. This all adds to the appeal of this hike. Adds some challenge, but after conquering Granite Mtn a few weeks a go this was fairly easy in comparison.
     Followed a disappearing and reappearing blue spot in the sky all the way up, and the sun teased and flirted with us as we ate our lunch. Were able to get peek a boo views from the top from various aspects but had the full view and brilliant clear skies on the way down.
     Bugs weren't a problem at all, crowds of people didn't get in the way, and the weather turned out to be almost perfect. Awesome day on the trail.
     You may want to pack plenty of water on a hot day as there is no water source except for the start and it could get plenty warm with the sun reflecting off the white rocks.

As always this is a great hike for either a quick day hoike or an over nighter to see the sunset and sunrise.. We desided on a quick overnighter for the beautiful view. Hit the trail just after 6pm. arived just after sunset and setup for the night. Next morning sunrise was beautiful... What can I say.. Im a sucker for great views.

Head over to youtube and check you the video of the trip..
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM9PuU3k6Kc&

Started the hike around 5:30pm, took us 1 hour and 20 min to get up to the look out. This hike was a great workout. Some of the best views from a hike. The bugs were pretty bad. The boulder field could be difficult for younger children.

Some pictures from this hike: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

Great hike on a got day. This hike is only 6 miles round trip but I found it quite strenuous, mainly because it gets very rocky further up the trail. You have to watch your step and cannot always go as fast as you'd like to. I'd definitely recommend good boots, there's a lot of potential for ankle rolling etc.

Other than the rocks there aren't any issues with the trail. There are quite a few bugs but a little insect repellent kept them at a distance.

It's probably worth mentioning that the access road is partly unmade which means your car will get very dusty.

It was a lovely hike. However if you aren't much of a hiker, do something else first. I haven't gone in a while and due to being out of shape and the heat that day, it took a lot longer to get to the peak. But it has enough spots where even with the crowds that were out there one could step off to the side in the shade and rest.

For those hikers who find this an easy trail, I commend you! I found this to be a challenging hike. And one I'm not sure I will attempt again. It felt like a big accomplishment for me to make it to the top!

The length of the hike and the elevation gain alone wouldn't make this hard on their own, however, combine that with the a trail that is mostly rock and granite after the intitial part and I was spent by the time we made it to the top. I had to stop several more times than my group just to catch my breath!

All that said, I still enjoyed the hike. The views from the top were beautiful and you can see 360 degrees from the lookout.

If you can plan a mid-week hike, I'd recommended it. The trail was very crowded both up and back this sunny and warm August Saturday. And once at the lookout where you have to actually climb rock before climbing the ladder to get to the platform, there were many people trying to get in or out.

There were bugs all along the trail. Mosquitoes were worse at the parking lot and trailhead. Less so on the trail where flies, though not biting much, buzzed quite a bit.

Here is the thing about the hike to Mount Pilchuck; you don't want to be out there when it's hot and sunny with no shade for the second half. Some say it's an easy hike, some say it's strenuous, and while the trail is rocky near the middle it's not nearly as bad as some I've been on. I found Heather Lake nearby to be worse due to mud and roots added to the rocks, but then I have done Pilchuck many more times. Whatever you do, start early and beat the sun.

Or, you can go late like I and quite a few others were doing on the night of the 11th, which was also the night the meteor shower was supposed to be most intense. I started about 45 minutes before sunset, reaching the top just as it was getting too dark to travel without light. A group of younger people were spending the night in the lookout, and another group had a tent and a pretty good fire going down on the summit ridge. So, plenty of camping opportunity at the top, but I don't know if some of the people who came up after midnight got much of a spot.

I waited until it got fully dark and then headed out to the opposite end of the summit from the lookout where it was darker, and boy what a show! Not only were there a million stars, but the meteors streaking by were amazing, sometimes leaving visible trails (or maybe just optical illusions).

Going back down the whole trail in the dark was interesting, although I was not alone and passed about 10 people coming up around and after midnight. It must have been a crowded night on the summit!

Left the parking lot at 3:30 p.m. Passed about 20 or so people on there way down . There are a few patches of mud/water on the trail through the woods. The flies were present but not biting. Just keep moving and your all good. Acording to some it was fairly cloudy at the lookout . Overall it was quite hazy, barely able to see Mt.Baker in the distance. As I climbed higher it started to clear up. The trail is very rocky in places and fairly agressive.I was staying overnight and as I neared the summit I was happy to see a nice patch of snow not to far down from the lookout. The after work croud showed up around 7 as well as a family that were overnighting too. An hour later 3 more hikers meandered up. They were geared up for a sleepover as well. Full house. Count em up 8 including myself. I ended up sleeping on the deck under the canopy of meteors ,planets and the moon. Two more yahoos arrived after midnight with a flask to share and finally a lone hiker at 4:30 a.m I was surprised to see the night hikers.But on this night I completely understand the motivation. I am completely satisfied with my first Pilchuck experience. Not much solitude but its Pilchuck for godsakes.

Trail conditions were good, only a few spots with water/mud. The bugs were a little annoying through the forested spots, but only really bad during the few brief stops on the way up. Clouds were out for most of the trip, but was treated with a nice view of Mount Baker and Glacier Peak at the summit. Overall, a fantastic hike!

Awesome day hike! Lookout was half clear half foggy but still a good day to see the mountains all around

Fun Hike ... the view is great and inside of the fire lookout there is some information about the lookout and some old pictures.

The trail is well marked and easy to follow.

You can see the cabin from the trail head, that gives you an idea about what you are up against. This trail has views, views and views! Photos and my lack of creativity with words will not do justice to the splendor that you'll encounter. You need to sweat and toil (not a very difficult hike) little to get rewarded. I chose a good sunny day and got a 360 view at the top. The lookout was crowded but fun. One of the best hikes I did in Snohomish county. Just remember to carry enough water to last this demanding trail.

Excellent day to head up to the look out. Not a cloud out there. Headed up in the morning. Not too much foot traffic. Trail is mostly clear except for a section below the scree fields but easily negotiable. Bugs were not too bad. Some in the shade but that was it. Encountered lots of hikers on the way down. Views from the top were absolutely spectacular.

Gorgeous day with sunny blue skies. Beautiful views from the lookout. I haven't done this hike for about 6 years and forgot how rocky the trail is but all was well. Still quite a few patches of snow from where you break into the open at about 4400' until you get to the lookout. I took my hiking poles but didn't use them. Going up it was easy kicking steps into the snow. Coming down I found myself sliding on a few snow patches. This could have been prevented easily by unloading my poles and using them. Duh....Not much in the way of mosquitoes but the pesky flies and bees were a bit aggressive in a non biting way. One of the lookout visitors commented that he had never seen as much snow around Pilchuck in August over the last 30 years.

This was a Pilchuck Lookout workparty trip and a whole bunch of folks including Beano, B., Rollo, Norm, Lou, Bruce, Melissa, and draftee, Kelly were up there painting, cleaning and getting ready for the helio drop of equipment that would enable the restructuring of the foundation. A huge undertaking. After three attempts, the helio drop was cancelled for the day due to poor visibility. Still, some work was accomplished including painting, puttying, and hucking of rotten wood off the lookout. We're hoping for better weather tomorrow and another opportunity to get equipment hauled in. In either case, it was a fine time and thanks so much to the many people I had to turn away with the closing of the lookout. All were very good sports and I heard many kind words of support for our work. A reminder that people appreciate the lookout as a destination and that all the planning and labor is worth it! We even got one of the people that we turned away working for us painting like mad! Not to mention that it was gorgeous up there. Just as we were leaving for the night the clouds descended with only sunshine and Three Fingers and Mt. Baker floating above the clouds.

Warning

Maintenance work on the Mt Pilchuck Lookout

is scheduled for the following dates:

Thursday, July 26, 2012 thru
Thursday, August 2, 2012

Please do not plan to visit the lookout or catwalk during this week. (The work area will be in the vicinity of the lookout - there are lots of good viewpoints outside the work area to enjoy.)

We will be repairing major foundation damage. There will be a bunch of volunteers, missing supports, wet paint everywhere, noise fumes and dust - - not your regular peaceful day at the lookout.

Speaking of volunteers, if you wish to help, please contact us at
LOTM@EverettMountaineers.org

Thank You

Everett Mountaineers
Lookout and Trail Maintenance
and
Wallace Falls State Park
(the Park you visit when you go to the lookout)

This was a day trip with fog and occasional light rain.

The trail was mostly snow-covered from 4,100' to the lookout at about 5,300'. When the fog closed in the white-on-white and limited visibility made it very difficult to follow the scattered tracks in the snow.

No views, just a conditioning hike. There were warnings posted at the trailhead about up-coming maintenance on the lookout that would close it for a week+. Text is below:

Warning

Maintenance work on the Mt Pilchuck Lookout

is scheduled for the following dates:

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 thru
Thursday, August 2, 2012

Please do not plan to visit the lookout or catwalk during this week

We will be repairing major foundation damage. There will be a bunch of volunteers, missing supports, wet paint everywhere, noise fumes and dust - - not your regular peaceful day at the lookout.

If you wish to help, please contact us at
LOTM@EverettMountaineers.org

Thank You

Everett Mountaineers
Lookout and Trail Maintenance

MARLEYMOO; Wessex a blue and grey dogpack at the trailhead on a large concrete bloc right by the outhouse. Hopefully nobody took it, it was there last night at 9 pm.

As others have said there is lots of bugs, water and snow, in about that order. We brought our camera gear but didn't really stop much until after we got out of the woods because the bugs were everywhere. As the sun began to set we decided to go back down as we had only come to scope it out, we hadn't planned on making 2/3 of the way up. It was lots of fun and we are looking forward to coming prepared to go all the way to the top.

The first thing that I noticed as I got out of the car was the bugs. They are out in full force (this can be seen by the 3 dozen photos I had to scrap due to bug interference). As I went up the trail, they did not get any better until we were well beyond the trees and climbing up the boulders to the lookout.

Another thing to note is that where there was not snow, there was a lot of water. I prepared for this since I attempted to get to the lookout in early June; but, did not have the traction due to the snow. Since we have gotten warmer I expected their to be snow melt.

The snow is still up there but easily manageable. Besides about 4 spots, I had no use for Trek Poles. There were many folks that were at the lookout that made it up in only tennis shoes (though I still would not recommend this method of travel for any hike). On the way down my leg did sink down a few times pretty deep into the snow. It was pretty slippery but once again nothing un-manageable.

The hike was great over all and I was witness to some amazing view of clouds (no summits at all). As I got back down to the tree-covered portion of the park the sun started to peak through and I am guessing the afternoon flock of hikers got a wonderful view (I am a morning person so I beat the crowds).

The only thing I would recommend to watch out is melting snow. The pack is not near as solid as it was a month ago so watch your step. Trek Poles are great for poking where you are going to place your foot next. There is still quite a bit more snow to melt before the trail is easily seen but the traffic up and down the mountain has paved a pretty good road to get to the top.

Finally, do not wander to far from the the foot prints. It is still very white out there and I saw a couple of folks that were well off the trail and had difficulty getting back to it. Use you head, watch where you walk, make sure you packed your common sense, and have a great hike.

We lost our olly dog pack if anyone happens to find it. The hike was really nice. After about half way we hit snow. At some points it was really hard to walk in the snow and there was a lot of water on the trail as you reach the snow. The bugs were also very annoying, every time we stopped there were tons. It was cloudy a the top so there was no view but the dog sure loved the hike. I don't suggest doing the whole hike if you have kids or non waterproof shoes.

despite a forecast for showers and possibly thundershowers the cascades were clearing by mid morning on the drive up to the trailhead. earlier reports noted the trail was clear of snow the first 1.25 miles which was the case. the gully to the north basin was full of snow but the boot track evident and easy to follow. upon entering the basin we ascended to the west shoulder and a welcome breeze under the hot sun. the summer trail had melted out to the south face but after a quick ascent the snow returned in earnest. again the boot track was easy to follow. we essentially followed the summer trail even though it had three feet of snow caked on top of it using ice axes and poles for balance. we eventually arrived east of the lookout and ascended the snow free boulder scramble to the ladder and lookout. the skies were clear and snowy peaks appeared in most directions. after a quick lunch we descended the way we had come, the snow softening significantly for easy travel. as mentioned the summer trail is easy to follow but poles or an ice axe is essential for safe travel.

Hiked to the summit/lookout in about 2 hours flat today. Trail was packed, but a lot of people were turning back due to the snow. Our party made it to the summit without spikes or poles, but I would definitely bring them next time, or wait until the mountain thaws out a bit. Bugs were bothersome from the parking lot, all the way up the mountain. The first 1.25 miles are snow free, but then everything is white, up until about 150' below the lookout. Beautiful day for a climb, we took the winter route up, and summer route down. No real issues, just had to be careful when descending.

Overall this was a great hike. Just a couple of observations:
 - There is still a lot snow in the ground 50% of the hike
 - The last 0.25 mile to the fire lookout was very rocky and difficult to climb. Please be very careful and most people I noticed arrived using the winter route as it wasn't obvious where the summer route was at least for our party.
 - I would consider this a difficult hike due the amount of snow and the rocks to the lookout; especially if you don't have any traction device.
 - The view were great at the top
 - I was impressed with the fire lookout structure and how well it was maintained and taken care of
 - General a high traffic trail; even as early as 8:00AM when we started.

Thank you
 

Start 15:30, finish 19:30 (?), with Jeffrey. Snow the two out of three miles. Met some great people at the lookout. Slid most of the way down. Beautiful views with very wet feet.

With a Sunny day forecast for the area, we decided to pack up the dog and hike up to the lookout on Mount Pilchuck. It was a good choice and we were not disappointed.
We arrived at the trailhead around 8:45 with plenty of open parking spots, taking advantage of the “facilities” before starting out on this hike. The lower first mile and a half was a typical Northwest trail full of old growth trees and boulders. A small waterfall greets you early on in the trail.
You reach the snow about halfway up to the Lookout and it stays snowy all the way to the top. My friend had told me about “Microspikes” and so I bought a pair and thought I would try them out on this hike. I was very glad I did because between them and my poles, it made a slipper, slushy hike more doable.
Taking our time (and many pictures), we reached the top in just under three hours. It was sunny and 72 degrees when we ate our lunch in the lookout. We were not alone, with many people joining us on this hike.
With the warm weather, the snow/ice was now turning into one huge slushy. We were happy we decided to get an early start because it was now much easier to go down the mountain, than go up. We took advantage of the several “chutes” created by previous hikers to do some glissading on our way back down.
All in all we had a Great time on this hike. But as in previous posts, I have no idea how these people make it up this mountain in tennis shoes, sandals and flip flops. I know I appreciated having my hiking boots, microspikes and poles with me to help me along the way.

After a few attempts last season before the trail head was accessible, I opted to delay trying this year until there was s bit less snow. Per previous trip reports & what I saw while there, the 'snow route' would likely be inadvisable at this point, and hikers should stick to the regular trail route.

The trail turns to snow at about the same point where it exits tree cover, right around 4100 feet. We started our hike at 7:30, but even on the way up, that early in the day, the snow was already pretty soft, even in the shade, likely due to the warm temps we're finally experiencing – I didn't have a thermometer on me, but the one in the car later showed something around 70.

Sunscreen and/or hats are advisable, along with sunglasses. It's bright & warm up there, especially with glare coming off the snow. There are a good amount of bugs out there already, both in the trees and up in the lower reaches of snowy areas – they left us alone by the time we got to the lookout. We were the first up that day, but not the first to come back down – some had turned back due to not being prepared for the conditions (tennis shoes, lack of fluids, etc).

Several good opportunities for glissading on the way down. As such, long pants with gaiters and trekking poles come in handy. Cramp-ons aren't at all necessary, the snow is so soft. An ice axe can be used to help arresting when glissading.

The route through the snow is pretty obvious and straightforward. As you approach the lookout, the foot path leads you up to the boulders on the ridge for the final stretch, so a little scrambling is in order. As the snow recedes further, I'm sure other hikers will see where the intentional trail goes, around to the south to approach the lookout from the east.

Road Closed!
Notice of Temporary Closure: Heather Lake Trail and Mt. Pilchuck Road 42 will be closed at mile 1.5 for trail maintenance blasting July 3, 7 am-5 pm.

Started 12PM, summit by 2:15PM, back to car by 5PM.
Cloudy up to ~4pm, the summit provided zero views. Only on the way down the clouds cleared a bit to reveal the valley to the west.
The trail to the summit lookout cabin is completely covered in deep snow from about .75 miles into the hike. Some snow footholds are loose, and holes are frequent, so look out and watch where you place your foot on the snow. There are also plenty of opportunities for sliding down on descent - it's a lot of fun! but be careful not to slide near drops or during a white-out.
On a clear day this hike would have been fantastic! Still it was a great climb and hike.

As previous reports have shown, road is clear to the trailhead and any vehicle should be able to make it. However, every person might not want to (or be able to) make it to the top right now, but if you do the reward is more than worth the effort.

This weekend will probably be the last that you can start on the "snow route" pretty much from the start; the bottom will soon melt out and brush will cover the way, making the main trail more practical until you reach the snowline. If you can get up there to do the snow route, I highly recommend it if you have the skills and gear, and it's a much different experience than the normal trail when it's melted out fully.

From the normal summer crossing of the ridge west of the summit, I followed a faint line in the snow under the north side of the big rock structure above the ridge crossing. It looked like someone had been there a day or two before, and by now the track was just an exaggeration of the sun cups on the surface, but I followed it up through some sketchy steep, narrow snow slopes between trees to the bench on the north face under the summit. From there, I continued to follow the track which went straight up another slope to the top of the ridge. It was very steep, and I almost pulled out my ice axe, but I knew there was a clean runout below me where I would stop if I fell, so it wasn't very dangerous.

The tracks gained the ridge near a nice flat boulder in the sun, and I rested there for a couple of minutes before beginning up the scramble route along the ridge toward the lookout. This section is marked by yellow paint on the rocks, which are great at pointing a reasonable way along the ridge. The rocks are great for scrambling and in some cool shapes, one common one being big slabs only 4-5 inches thick, which you can sometimes tap and hear them resonate. It's only 3rd class at most to the summit on this section, and I also recommend it. This was the first time I had done it, and it was really fun.

The lookout needs windows cleaned, so if anyone goes up soon it would be awesome to bring windex and some towels. I swept up and cleaned all the metal information plaques around the lookout. Lots of snow in sight, and visibility was really good.

On the way down I actually slid down off the ridge farther up it, in an almost too-steep section. Then I saw people following my tracks upward, which kind of surprised me. I advised a couple of people not to follow my way but to go around the ridge instead, which is much safer.

Overall a great day, and my favorite time of year for Mount Pilchuck.

Road to the trail head is clear. I took the snow rout on the way up and managed to find the trail on the way down. I made the hike without crampons and trekking poles. It was the first time I have been up there and I found it fairly easy to find my way. There are a lot of trails to follow, so just follow the one with the most tracks.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189288994#.T9u86cMLdsc

My pictures didn't load on the first one.

Road to the trail head is clear. I took the snow rout on the way up and managed to find the trail on the way down. I made the hike without crampons and trekking poles. It was the first time I have been up there and I found it fairly easy to find my way. There are a lot of trails to follow, so just follow the one with the most tracks.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189288994#.T9u86cMLdsc

Today visibiliy was good
Rewarding views wait at the Mount Pilchuck lookout

Snow on the road has finally melted
The trail is still covered in snow, the snow is up to 4 feet thick or more in some places. Snow is begining to melt, there is water runoff from the melting snow. Think safety first when ascending or descending the mountain; Snow can often become slipery when reacting with water.
Good shoe traction add-ons or crampons recommended.

It was our 36th wedding anniversary. Some people might choose to go out for dinner...but our first choice was to hike. Not much has changed since the last post on this hike. You still have to park a short distance from the official parking lot, and most people were doing the snow route. I was surprised at how quickly we got off the summer trail. The snow route starts before the first water crossing. Over the years we have gone up many routes, but starting so close to the parking lot was a new one to me. The route is very steep at one point, but very doable. The one tricky part is crossing the ridge to the place where you come up the back side. I felt comfortable with crampons...no worries. Others were making up without, but I didn't envy them. A false move and you could be in a world of hurt. (I have had my years of "world of hurt" and I now like the security of crampons).

We used poles, gaiters, and crampons. As previously stated, most other people were making it up without any of these items. However, if you own any of them, I do recommend taking them. I first hiked this mountain at the age of 9. I have lost count of how many people have been killed or hurt on this popular trail over the years. This time of year is tricky, so please be careful. This trail is very doable right now, but don't leave home without your common sense.

Today's climb was one of our favorites. We climb Mt. Pilchuck about five times a year, always looking at different conditions or routes each time. Today's theme was snow. Wick, Nate and I met at Safeway and hit the road around 7 am. The road had snow just before the parking area, so we parked at the last turn out about 200 yards from the trailhead. Other than that the road at the top it was in pretty good shape, just a few potholes. A full size truck or lifted jeep could make the parking lot, which was bare. We were the second car there and followed a couple skiers with skins out at 8 am. After following boot tracks for about a 1/4-mile the elevation really started to pick up. We chose the snow route, which was basically straight up. There were four or five pretty steep pitches and the ice axes came out pretty early. About half way up we found that we were starting to follow glissade runs up, instead of boot tracks and almost missed the turn off to the back side of the final ridge. Nate was working the GPS hard today, (lots of fog) and it really came in pretty handy (thanks Nate).


We got to the look out at almost 10am on the button. We were the first ones of the day. Not our record for this hill, but not to bad with training pack weight and snow from the start. Weather was not on our side for a view today, as the mountain was blanketed in pretty heavy fog the entire way. Any day that’s not raining is a win however. Had a quick bite to eat, and headed down.


We trotted down to the bottom of the ridge (chasing Wick, showoff!) to the giant "Parking Lot This Way" sign, and this is where the real fun began. Probably 5-8 good glissade runs coming down. What a blast, however by now I was really starting to think shorts might have been the wrong choice today; my underwear was pretty well packed with snow at this point. We all warmed up on the final push out. Saw lots of skiers, going up, on the way down looking for that last bit of joy. Round trip from the car to the car, eating at top, and gearing up took 3 hrs. It only took 35 minutes coming down from the lookout to the car thanks to all the time spent flying around uncontrolled on our backside down the steep pitches. The normal route is 2.7 miles, I believe, according to WTA. Today's snow route was only 1.75 miles according to our GPS, so again short, steep, and snowy for today. There were 15-20 cars parked on side of road when we got back. This one is worth getting up early for, as it is very popular. This was however a great day.

Sun, light winds, & only a few people on trail at a 2pm arrival NEAR trailhead. Snow covers the road to the Pilchuck TH about 1/2 mile from parking lot. A well defined boot track leads more directly up to the lookout building than the normal Pilchuck trail. Beware of snowbridges crossing creeks around rocks and trees. Very straightforward approach, great ski & snowboard conditions.
The lookout is open in good condition and a nice refuge from the wind. The road to TH should melt out in the next week or two, but snow will remain on the trail for quite awhile. The TH bathroom is accessible, but needs some love as soon as the road melts out...

With the gates opened recently on the Pilchuck road, it was time for a trip to the lookout and the annual raising of the shutters. We were able to drive within 1.5 miles from the trailhead. After about 35 minutes of hiking the road we arrived at the parking area still covered in about 5 feet of snow.
The direct, winter approach was used on the three hour trek to the top. There were icy areas around trees and when heading around the west ridge to the south side. A Mountain axe and/or traction devices make for a safer approach. Also stay clear of ridge cornices that still remain. Wear good boots for kicking steps on the steeper slopes. The top can be windy and cold so carry extra clothing. It may be a good while before the trail can be utilized and this trip considered a hike.
http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

After hiking to Heather Lake and 22, I decided to skip up the road towards the peak to see how the snow looks.

There was a slide on the road, about a half mile past the Heather Lake trailhead which was quickly repaired by the USFS.. good work!

Made it so far as about 2600 feet, maybe a little more than a mile from the trailhead. My small car isn't made for snow travel and I'd hiked about 12 miles already, so I wasn't about to press on any further this day.

It'll likely be a few weeks before we can get to the trailhead & start hiking those snowy slopes..

CORNICE WARNING. Both Gates are now open. Snow starts shortly after the upper gate. It quickly gets deep with in the mile and a half to the trail head. With the warm weather this weekend the summit cornice is likely to break loose sooner than later. Please stay away from the cornice above and below.

As some of you may have been aware, the US Forest Service this summer, placed a new
gate just below mile post 5 on the 42 Road/Mount Pilchuck Road for the purpose of affording the recreational public more convenience in getting to the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead in the early spring and late fall/early winter during periods of time when
the driving conditions were deemed to be EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS or at times when the road below the new gate was snow-free, but the road conditions or the fact that the spring snows had not yet melted out to the point beyond the gate that would afford "SAFE ACCESS" to vehicles in areas beyond that point.

Just a day or two prior to the new year,someone took it upon themselves to cut the FS lock off the Upper Pilchuck Gate and then repeatedly ramming it so as to bow the new
metal gate to the point that it no longer could be locked.

As usual it has taken "ONE" to spoil it for the "ALL". The upper gate at this time could not be repaired, so it was closed as best as possible and has had boulders piled in front of it to insure that this spring, before snows have adequately melted out behind it to allow safe access (the initial intended purpose of the gate)that it will not be breached.

The Lower Pilchuck Gate just above the Heather Lake Gate has also been closed and
bouldered as was required after it too was repeatedly breached last year.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but the Forest Service must take appropriate steps to insure the longevity of it's property,manage and safegard the National Forest's natural resources, and insure the public's safety.

As of January 4,2012 the December 31 to April 2, the Annual Closure Order is in effect for "ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLES" (Including snowmobiles)on the 4200 Road System above the Heather Lake Gate. TRAVEL BY FOOT IS STILL PERMITTED!!!

The gate MAY be opened earlier or later in the spring as weather and/or snow conditions allow and/or dictate.

Safe Travels this winter!

Snohomish County Sheriff Office's
Forest Protection Deputy

Gate was open on this day but had to park 4WD about half mile from trail head because of deep tire ruts in snow. Trail is mostly compact snow until about the last mile. Combination of snowshoe and cramp-ons to the top. Hard crust on the South and West slopes. No tracks to follow this day so glad I had my GPS. Took the West/South approach because the North side made me nervous with the steep slopes and low visibility. Weather up top was blowing ice/snow. No view. I agree with previous post, new snow is going to make this area dangerous in the coming weeks..... Someone followed me up and left orange survey tape on their way down, maybe search and rescue? Whomever, thanks for having my back :)

There is a new gate on road up, about were the pavement starts just before mile post five. It's about two miles hike up to trail head. Last year it was closed at heather lake trail. I do not know if that one will be closed this year. If it is it will make it about five miles to trail head.
Trail is mostly compact snow. But icy in any open area. Some type of traction would be helpful. About two miles you come to the granite rock open side of hike and trail does not follow summer trail. But general direction is good. For us the tracks went more direct up top. And we approached lookout on north side. Summer trail approaches on the south side. And the rocks and everything between is solid ice. Weather up top was blowing ice/snow. No view.
With all the ice covered snow, future snow may cause a problem with avalanche danger.

Saturday, December 10th my brother Cody and I headed out of Seattle around 7:30 am to conquer Mt. Pilchuck in Mt.Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. The drive there was a little foggy but we had our fingers crossed that the air would clear so we could see the incredible view from the hike. We were unable to drive to the trailhead due to snow and ice conditions so we had to park and walk. The walk was approximately 30 minutes to the trail head. The skies ahead looked nice and clear. This hike was unlike others I had been on. A nice open, clear view throughout the forest with the sun trying to peak through. The climb was steady until about 2 hours into the hike. The snow cover increased but was packed down pretty well so it made it easy to walk along without snow shoes. As we continued to climb up the visibility became less and less and the snow began to fall. The vertical climb seemed to become steeper and steeper as we neared the lookout tower. Finally, we reached the top as the snow started to fall heavier. Inside the tower we took a break to eat our sandwich and rest up. After about 20 minutes we opened the door up to start on down and the snow was falling faster and the fog a little heavier. Unfortunately, we had no views of the surrounding mountains or forest. The hike back down took about a third of the time it took to get back up. Sliding down from trail to trail made the trek so much more enjoyable. We ran into about 4 other groups heading to the top around 1 pm. We were unsure why they were heading up so late in the day especially since the visibility was so bad. After approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes and 5,340 ft we made it back to the trial head safely.

View more hikes:
http://withloveandluck.blogspot.com/[…]/mt-pilchuck.html

2 things I was reminded of today. Snowshoeing in the western Cascades usually means "carrying the snowshoes on your back" AND Mount Pilchuk is an awesome little mountain, especially now when the crowds have dwindled.
Panzer and I arrived at the 2nd gate on the forest road located about 1.5 miles from Pilchuk TH. The gate was closed so we had no choice but to park there and walk the road to the trailhead. The drive to the gate was slick in places and the snow which starts about halfway up was packed yielding good clearance for the vehicle.
We wore microspikes on the trail all the way to the summit for traction, although it was only icy on the first 1/2mile or so. The snow was actually great powder but some prior trekkers had compacted the trail fairly well for about 75% of the route. There are places above tree line which required some kick-stepping. The slide potential appeared fairly low on the trail except for a couple of ledge areas which could have been uncomfortable, but not hazardous, and no need for an ice axe. The rocks/boulders on the ridge were snowed in enough to eliminate scrambling directly on rock. The lookout deck was cleared on the south side. The spectacular 360 degree view of numerous peaks lead to peak identification which is always fun. Quick lunch and back down. From car to summit, up in about 3 hours and down in about 2 hours. The trail is in excellent shape with some trail markers in place as well. We stayed high on the ridge rather than dropping down into the trees on the back side of the ridge (did not do full summer route). Great choice for this clear, cold day in December.

Well my Dog (pepper) wanted to get this hike in with some snow on the peak before the gate closed for the season. We rolled the jeep with Isiah up thru tons of snow with chains on. we were the second people in today. There was tons of snow all the way up to the lookout where we had some warm griled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Ihad to carry a cocker spaniel in my pack up 1.5 miles up and 1.5 miles down!!! uuughh The sun came out and it was a good day on the mtn. There was brodies in the parkin lot 4 wheelin it up. we made it alive.

We went on this trail in early November and the weather was beautiful -- clear sky and viability allowing us to see miles. There was some snow on the trail at the very start and about 8 inches at the very top. We didn't realize how much snow there would be snow, so we didn't come as prepared as we should have with the proper gear. We still made it though but our shoes were just wet by the end. We were glad that we stopped off at the Ranger Station on our way to chat with the rangers about the conditions and what to expect. You can learn more about our hiking adventure on our blog, Around Puget Sound and Beyond: http://aroundpugetsound.blogspot.com/

First trip up Mt. Pilchuck to the Lookout. Forest Road (42) is in great shape and all 7 miles went by quick to the parking area. National Forest pass required and a privy available at the parking lot.

Fog was heavy and temps were in the high 30's as we started out in the rain. At about 3800' elevation the rain changed to snow, and the trail began to be covered with 1-2" of powder snow. By 4200' it was pretty much fully covered with about 3" and remained that way for the rest of the hike up to the lookout at 5300'. No problem with ice at all. We used poles in and out, but some didn't. We used Katoolah micro-spikes coming down to avoid slipping, but others seemed to do fine without.

Met about 10 people total on the trail, along with 2 dogs. The Lookout was shut, but we were able to open the door and have lunch inside. We swept up and locked it tight after our lunch break. The short boulder scramble up to the ladder was a little slick, but not too bad. It was cold and icy at the lookout.

All in all a nice hike in the snow. Lots of water on the trail and mud, too. New trail markers are great and keep you from making wrong turns when conditions get worse.

Some photos here, mostly snowy trail shots: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

Cruiznbye

Just to reiterate what has been mentioned in previous trip reports: The trail is covered in ICE from 4,100 feet to 4,800 feet. Above 4800 feet, the trail has more western exposure and therefor less ice, and the precipitation fell here as snow, and so did not turn to ice. I am an experienced hiker and found it to be very challenging. I was able to safely negotiate the terrain thanks to good boots, and good hiking poles. slipped many times. I wished that I had my Microspikes. It is very cold climbing on this trail in the morning with temps in the upper 20s and low 30s most of the day. Come prepared.

If there's one hike on the Mnt. Loop Hwy that is a must on a clear/sunny day it's this one! Started early to avoid the crowd around 9:20 am, but found 3 cars already at the trailhead. Very muddy, and slippery most of the way up especially near the 1.2 mile mary where there is plenty of black ice on the ground and on the rocks and boulders. You really have to pay attention and always assume that each rock/boulder is slippery. The last mile is a tough march up and getting up to the shelter is an adventure too-huge car size boulders to navigate, but the reward is worth it! Not to sound preachy, but I saw so many hikers on my way down wearing runners and clothing not suitable for this type of season (thin shirt, cotton hoody, jeans etc.) I was bundled up and still felt a chill once out in the open - so dress appropriately, and wear the right shoes.

   Drive to the trail head was just under an hour from Edmonds. Arrived at 10am on a Monday and found 5 cars in the lot, as well as Forest Service folks tuning up the parking lot/filling potholes. Beautiful sunny morning, temp was 60 in the city, 38 here at the trailhead. Good to keep this in mind when packing up for these fall hikes.
   The gorgeous sun only peeked through the trees in the first mile, making for some iced over puddles and slick frozen water on some rocks on trail. Good to have walking sticks. This trail has a well earned reputation for tumbled rock under foot on most parts of the route. The combination of white-gray granite boulders on all sides and deep green alpine fir make for amazing vistas along the way.
   No snow yet on trail, ice in places made a few step areas slick but all avoidable. During return down mountain about 2 hours later, these were thawed and easily passable.
    The view is astounding, with fall colors en route and also across the valleys with snow on some peaks and autumn foliage coming out in many areas.
   Lulu the dog made it most of the way but important to kleep the leash handy at the top. No way for her to get to the firelook out but still a happy spot to stop just below the structure. Bring plenty of water.

It was a beautiful day! I took my brother and son on the hike to Look Out. Trail is grait, we started at 9:30, took our time geting to the top, got there at 12:15. After eating lunch, spent almost 3 hours exploring around the look out. There were a lot of peopole there on that day!!! In the morning it was litle frosty, and icy in the shaded areas on the trail, so be careful!

Mt. Pilchuck is my ultimate "convenience" hike. It is right in my backyard (about an hour drive), has good views, and it is about the right length and the right elevation gain for a quick hike. I've hiked this trail every year since 2006, sometimes multiple times a year. It's a great after-work hike for me, or good on a lazy weekend. I've hiked it in the sun, clouds, rain and ice. I even hiked it once in the middle of the summer starting at 3:00am, and getting to the summit just before dawn. Needless to say, I like this hike.

This year, because of the late snow, I didn't get a chance to hike Pilchuck until now. I took off a little early from work, and timed it so that I'd get back to the car just after sunset. It was a beautifully warm day. I was surprised at how much water was on the lower trail, and how many bugs there were in spots.

As I approached the summit, I heard the thump-thump-thump of a helicopter. I looked up and there it was, right above me. Apparently, a small work party was doing some maintainence on the lookout and were helicoptering in supplies. I helped them carry some stuff up from the saddle to the lookout. I've hiked this trail so often, and enjoyed the lookout so many times that I very much wanted to stay and help more. Sadly, though, I had some time constraints and after some internal debate, I decided that I had to head down instead of stay and help. I'm thinking more and more about volunteering to do some trail work sometime.

Anyway, I'd like to give a big thanks to those guys working up at the lookout!!!

This was hike 18 of my 30/300/30000 @ 30 challenge.

1. Deception Pass
2. Wallace Falls
3. Spencer Island
4. E. Fork Foss River
5. Lake Serene
6. Wallace Falls
7. Goat Lake (N. Cascades)
8. Boulder River
9. Third Beach to Toleak Point (Overnight)
10. Big Quilcene/Marmot Pass (Overnight)
11. Lake 22
12. N. Fork Skokomish (Overnight)
13. Welcome Pass/HIgh Divide
14. Golden Lakes/Sunset Park
15. Glacier Basin
16. Sunrise Area Trails
17. Park Butte
18. Mt. Pilchuck

So far: 18 Hikes, 162.7 Miles, 36100' Elevation Gain

The weather is slowly degrading out there, and soon hikes are going to start becoming more inaccessible. I've drawn up my list of winter hikes, and there is always snowshoing too. Still, judging from my historical winter hiking trends, 12 hikes will be a stretch, and the remaining 137.3 miles will be even more so. I have until May to reach my goal. I think I will.

Four of us decided upon a day hike at Mount Pilchuck after scrapping plans for Mailbox. We arrived at the parking lot at 10:15 am, with the lot mostly full. The weather was partly cloudy and also a bit hazy. Mount Baker could be seen clearly, but Rainier was obscured by haze. The trail was in good condition, with only a little water on the trail in places; hikers of all ages were observed. Many hikers were out, but it was a pleasant crowd, and there was no sensation of crowding, even at the lookout. Ravens were flying, and a glider pilot "buzzed the tower" so to speak, even waving to the hikers. We saw Baker, Shuksan, and Three Fingers to the north, Glacier to the east, and the Olympics to the west. With binoculars, one could make out the downtown Seattle skyline. The only downside was the presence of pesky flies and mosquitoes.

Car to summit: 1 hr 15 min
Summit to car: 1 hr
Snow on trail last 500 feet

The weather has been fairly unpredictable lately so I decided to get my weekly hike in last Friday when the weather was fine. Left Everett after work and arrived at the surprisingly busy trail head just after 5pm; it seems others had my same grand idea. Everyone at the trail head was on their way home as it turned out and I had much of the mountain to myself, passing only 6 or so people.
    Most of the tarns seemed to have dried up as well, and the creek-like trail from weeks past is just moist now. Continuing on, I passed a nice group of hikers near the remains of the old tram and then one more guy just a few minutes from the lookout. When I arrived at the summit, just before sunset, I had the freshly painted abode to myself.
The trail on the north face is mostly rocks and water this time of year, and as luck would have it, my headlamp was failing. Soon it grew quite dark and I could scarcely see 3 feet in front of me. I didn't "panic" per se, but my nerves were shot after about 30 minutes of walking in the dark.
Just a note for those wondering; yes, I did have spare batteries with me, and had my lamp grown any dimmer I would have stopped and replaced them. I learned a lesson though, which is that I need a brighter head lamp with a battery indicator to hike after work this time of year.

I picked the worst weather-day of the week but hadn't been out in two so decided to go no matter the conditions. The forecast said it would be improving in the early afternoon but it didn't until after we were heading down. We turned back after reaching Bathtub lakes (4800'), in fog, wind and rain, about a mile from the lookout.
The trail (#703) to Pinnacle lake could use some improvment, starting with the bridge crossing over Bear creek. There are many slippery-when-wet roots on the steepest part of the trail and many muddy ponds, through the flat areas, that need better drainage. The last part of the trail #703, that appears on the map to be just inside the state parks boundary, is a rocky stream going down to the lake outlet.
The route from the outlet to Iodine Gulch is around the west side of the lake and up the rocky, brushy, stream of the gulch to a painted rock with "Iodine Gulch" on it. After that high-point at 4763', about a 1000' above Pinnacle Lake, it is downward, contouring around, following yellow marks and eastward-pointing arrows on the large rocks. Those marks definately helped in the dense fog and inclement weather.
While we did not get to the lookout on this route, due to bad weather, we did take the standard 3 mile route on the following day, with about 9 others, to put the final top coat of paint on her. It was a brief window of opportunity, but we managed to cover it once the moist clouds dissipated in the afternoon. Trail #700 to the lookout is in good condition with no snow but some wet areas along the route. Wildflowers are decreasing as autumn rushes in to replace summer but great views from inside the lookout await those who venture out in the fall before the shutters are lowered, usually in October.
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My fourth trip to the peak of Pilchuck this summer finally yielded a snow-free trail. I've found myself drawn back time & again to see how the direct snow trail has disappeared to reveal where the actual trail winds through boulders. While climbing in the snow is a bit harder, the descent is much more fun when you can glissade your way down. No chance to do that anymore this summer! I'm quite surprised to see some of the terrain that was easily traversed by sliding on your backside is now quite steep & perilous, covered in drop-offs, sharp-edged boulders & young trees.

There are a few wildflowers to be seen along the trail, at higher elevations, though nowhere near as many as I've seen from other hikes' trail reports, or even at Lake 22, where I hiked immediately after this trail.

Am I crazy, or has some of the lookout recently received a fresh coat of paint? It looked a bit brighter than I remembered it from about a month ago.

What was worrisome to me, especially in light of the recent death on the trail, was that there was no way to sign in at the start of the trail. There was some 10 to 15 pages in the trail register at the trailhead, though every single slot had been filled, with some hikers even writing in the page margins. By the dates, it looked like the pages had been in use since the beginning of the month. Perhaps it's been busier in recent weeks than normal, and the USFS hasn't had the chance to restock the register. As I got back to my car, I saw a ranger (is that the right term?) working there with a post hole digger -- not a fun task, I know from experience -- and I let him know the register was full. If he didn't have any blank register pages, hopefully he would let somebody know.

I passed 31 other hikers on the trail up & down -- seemingly light traffic, though not too surprising since it was a Friday after kids were back in school. The forecast called for clouds but no rain, and that's how it turned out. I shot a few clips when the peak wasn't shrouded in the clouds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MsakudhhXo

My friends and I hiked this twice this week and it was incredible as always. This past week there has been moderate cloud cover which made for a different experience for this series of hikes. Crystal clear and pretty warm at the top; all in all, we had a blast! A couple people injured their ankles wearing low jogging shoes, be mindful of loose rocks especially if your wearing shoes like these.

 Vehicle break-ins are occurring on an irregular basis,coinciding with the presence of valuables (car stereos with their removable face-plates in them,GPS units and Satelite Radios on the dash on console,binoculars,high-end sunglasses,garage door openers (along with your registration makes for easy home access at a later time)wallets,purses,and other bags with enclosed,unknown contents (put the contents out where they can be seen if they cannot be completely locked in the trunk (not a vehicle with a retractable or roll-top type trunk lid. With a flashlight it is very easy to see items stored inside through the cracks/openings around the edges of them.

BRING ONLY THOSE ITEMS WITH YOU THAT YOU INTEND TO PACK WITH YOU ON YOUR HIKE! LEAVE THE REST AT HOME FOR THE DAY.

4-Day weekends (LABOR DAY THIS COMING WEEKEND) and sunny days attract more of the criminal types.

Follow the above suggestions and you WILL have a safe, and care-free day in the
forest.

Enjoy you outing and visit us again soon.

Today was a beautiful day to head up to Mount Pilchuck. We arrived at the trail head around 7:45. There were about 8 cars there already. There were signs posted that the lookout would be closed the previous day for painting and maintenance so we got really lucky. I have been waiting for the snow to melt for quite some time so was hoping it would be a clear trail today. The bugs are out in full force but the day was so beautiful it didn't bother me too much. The snow is still patchy in some places. The trail is mostly free of snow. I think there were 3 or 4 places where you had to walk on snow but no traction devices are needed. Once at the top the people started showing up in group after group after group. Lots and lots of people. I guess I usually go up on a weekday so this was the most people I have ever seen in the lookout. Wonder how much weight it holds lol. You could tell it had been freshly painted. Thank you volunteers :)! We saw a pika on our way down and tons more hikers ( glad we got there fairly early ) When we got back to the car There were about 50 cars and the rangers were there. They told us the most cars ever counted at the trail head were 150! Wow! People seem to be confused about which pass to have at what trail head. Lots of people getting warnings about using the Discover pass. All in all it was a great day! Love this hike and do it at least once per year usually more. The views of the mountains seem endless.

Well, this trip wasn't really to Mt. Pilchuck summit, but rather to a group of gorgeous tarns known as Bathtub Lakes that are on the ridge below the summit. That's about all the info I'm willing to give abpit this wonderful and as yet untrammeled place. This trip included Beano and his buddy Steve. It's rather grueling, but very interesting involving some steep snow traverses and lots of rock scrambling. I have the scrapes and bruises to prove it! We also did a day trip to Summit Lake which was about 800 feet below our camping spot and involved lots of brush bashing. All the better! I lost my bracelet in the brush so let me know if you find it! Summit Lake is very scenic and pristine, largely because no one goes there except a few die hard fishermen such as us! The fishing was fabulous and trout was on the menu for dinner, following Beano's favorite recipe of grilling on a flat rock. Delicious! The lakes area is still frozen over with only 10% melt out at best. There are few areas to camp without camping on snow. Still, this is a very scenic area and an interesting traverse to get to it. On the way home Beano and I stopped at Omega's for grinders and Mac and Jacks. Yum!

The drive from the main road up to the Mt. Pilchuk trailhead passes by the trailhead to Heather Lake. We arrived at abour 12:30 and the parking lot had about 25 cars and was 80% full.

The first half of the hike passes through forest and is relatively easy. The climb steepens in the second half. The last 20-30% of the hike has a lot of snow, which is slippery when coming down - definitely need poles and/or suitable hiking shoes. The views on Saturday were great and stretched all 360 degrees.

The heat was very strong and the two of us needed more than the 3 litres we carried with us. Saw lots of kids on the trail having a great time.

Hiked Mt. Pilchuk to the lookout on Monday, 8/15/11. Got to the trailhead at about 8:15 and there were only two cars there. The trail is in great condition (THANKS!) until you hit the snow, but even on the snowy spots it was pretty manageable (just make sure your footwear is water resistant). The views from the top alternated between obscured and clear as the clouds moved through (not a problem the rest of the week, it seems). Views to the water and surrounding peaks. Trekking poles helped on the way down. We only encountered five people at the top (three on their way down, two arriving as we lingered). Headed down starting at 1 PM, and saw up to 15 or more people, with more arriving in the lot as we got back to the car--makes sense as it became sunnier later in the day.

Fantastic hike with wonderful views. We got started early and were first to the top.

We could easily see Mt. Baker, Three Fingers, and Glacier Peak. Then the clouds went away to the south and gave us a view of Mt. Rainier as well. I have pictures here: http://www.lemarts.com/2/post/2011/08/mt-pilchuck.html

We encountered the first snow patches at 4K and pretty consistent snow above that. Trail is very hard to follow up the bowl (there are different sets of tracks all over the place). We spent a good amount of time at various points evaluating the route before preceding. But just above the bowl it's easy to follow. Snow is melting fast and there are MANY opportunities for post-holing so please be careful. You can also in many places hear water running under the snow. Use your brains. Just a few glissading ops on the way down.

We used gaiters and hiking poles and that was enough for us.

LOTS OF BUGS!!!!!!!

And now a quick rant... We saw many people without appropriate gear. We saw some people with no gear. We saw more than a couple of people with NO WATER. Tennis shoes and soccer shorts are not safe gear on a hike like this. Jeans with no change of clothes? What if they get wet? Please please please bring the right stuff or stay home. It's just not worth it.

This was my third trip to the top of Pilchuck in the last five weeks. I find it interesting to see how the snow-covered trail changes with each hike -- summer is finally creeping it's way to the top of the mountain.

Low cloud cover marked the start of the hike, which was actually quite pleasant, as it likely subdued the bugs while the trail wound through the woods. The clouds hung around quite a bit, unfortunate in that the views were quite limited all the way to the lookout. There was only a quick break in the clouds while at the top, then they closed back in, and seemed to stick around for quite some time as I descended & later drove from the trail head. Only later after I visited the Big Four Ice Caves did it appear that the clouds around the peak were dissipating for the day.

Bugs were THICK while on the trail today, mostly on the way down. It was almost like a scene from a cartoon -- the huge swarm I would see buzzing towards my head, if I stopped to look behind me. I was trying out a new sun screen / bug spray combination, but it clearly didn't phase these jerks -- time to switch back to Jungle Juice.

While on my way up, I saw a few pairs or small groups of people turn back, as they felt their running shoes & lack of other equipment didn't prepare them for what was ahead. I would agree with them. On the way down later in the day, I saw many others plow ahead anyway. You can make it to the top in street shoes, but I wouldn't recommend it. My newly-purchased gaiters were a great asset, what with the slushy snow. Also, though I saw many glissading only two weeks ago, that might be done for the season on Pilchuck -- I came across only about two spots where the slope & angle were ideal for any decent slide.

The views were very limited, but that doesn't always result in nothing to see. I've always loved to watch clouds in motion, so this day I got a perfect chance to do just that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gadj9K228TA

Summited Pilchuck in trail kicks not expecting 5+ feet of snow beginning at 4300 and continuing until the top. Skipped the alpine route due to lack of cramp-ons to do some class 4 scrambling to the top. Added about 1 hour to the summit using this route but stayed dry! Loved the "ride" down on our butts and sliding on our shoes as if we were on skis. What a gorgeous, 360 degree day with views from Ranier to St. Helens and the Cascades. Watch out for mud, bugs and tree wells on the way back down the mountain. Slightly slippery, not for the "let's hike in jeans" crowd.

Note to self: when NOAA states "20% chance showers, changing to partly sunny in the afternoon" go east to get out of the rain.

In all, a good hike and a good workout. Not too much else to add to the other recent reports as far as conditions go. The steady drizzle kept the bugs in hiding. Solid snow shortly after the 1 mile marker and lots of runoff on the lower part of the trail. The bootpack is easy to follow; it diverges in a few places but I'm pretty confident all routes end up in the same place. If you are lucky enough to go in summer-like weather be sure to bring sunscreen. I took the old route for the final few hundred yards, its a boulder scramble and the route is marked with orange paint (it brings you to the lookout on the opposite side of the ladder, but there is a break in the railing and its fairly easy to clamber up to the deck).

A word of caution as the snow continues to melt: there are several transitions from ground/rock to snow with snow bridges that will progressively weaken. I only punched through in a few places, but the temps were in the 50s with overcast, quite a different story with the sun beating down and warmer temps. This is not yet a hike for the tennis shoes and windbreaker tied around the waist crowd....wear boots, consider gaiters and be prepared for snow travel.

This was my second trip to the peak atop Pilchuck this month, after two unsuccessful attempts in June. This hike was MUCH more enjoyable than my previous completed hike on 7/2/11, on which I foolishly went off-trail & tried a more straight shot hike up the mountain, rather than circling around to the west, as the actual trail does. This time around I stuck to the trail -- or, the trail which is exposed & easy to see. Once you hit the snow, who knows exactly for sure where the trail is.

At any rate, I set out from the trail head just before 10, and returned right at 3 -- I hike pretty slow, and stop to shoot a lot of photos.

I don't have a lot to say about the hike that can't be read in other trail reports, though I suppose I can comment on current conditions, as snow is always melting. The hike is clear, though a bit muddy, for roughly the first mile to perhaps mile and a quarter. After the trail circles around to the west, and you scramble up the (first?) field of boulders -- where you can clearly see Rainier to the south -- and pass through some further woods while heading back north, the trail again heads east, where you first encounter snow. It's a bit tricky at first, as snow bridges begin to collapse in the warm sun and under hiker's feet, but once you begin to climb again, the snow gets pretty soft & easy to climb up. The big snow fields aren't too difficult to climb, and are certainly fun to descend. The boulder field near the mount makes for some tricky climbing, but I'm still pretty inexperienced at all of this. I couldn't find a good way to make it around on the south to the ladder on the east of the lookout, so I just climbed rock after rock until I made it up and had a good rest.

I don't have kids, but if I did, I would probably avoid taking them up this trail. Some spots can be tricky, conditions are always changing, snow bridges and hidden voids below snow can be dangerous.. though, kids might have a blast sliding down those snow fields in the middle of July. The kid in me did! At the very least, for safety's sake, if your kids aren't too experienced in mountain hiking, wait until there is less snow on the trail.

When heading up Pilchuck, load up with plenty of sunscreen & bug spray at the trail head. You'll be glad you did. I recommend hiking poles -- they're not much use on the rock up top, but they're great in the snow. And since the snow can get pretty soft in the afternoon sun, gaiters might be helpful. I don't own any, and wound up with waterlogged feet today, due to snow easily working its way in at the ankles.. gaiters may have helped with that quite a bit.

There were already 5 cars in the parking lot when I started at 7:15am for the lookout. At the sign-in board two other parties of 1 has signed in before me. The first half of the trail had some mud and a few wet spots. The snow on the trail started at about elevation 4100' (the base is at 3200 and the top at 5300). The snow is on the trail from the 4100' elevation all of the way to the top. The last section of the climb takes the snow route onto the west end of the lookout. I had poles and good hiking boots and I was able to make it to the top in about an hour and 50 minutes. There are a few tricky spots near the top and poles were very handy. I did not need crampons or spikes, but the spikes could have been useful in a couple of places. The main gear to bring are good hiking boots, hiking poles (with baskets, small baskets are fine), sun glasses, hat, sun screen. Gaiters and spikes would be nice to have too. I only post-holed a couple of times. Oh, and the bugs were starting to come out when I got to the bottom around 10:30. So, maybe bring some bug repelent too.

We had been watching the forecasts all week in hopes the weather would stay nice enough to head up Mt. Pilchuck and lucked out with a beautiful day to hike. If you are looking for solitude in the wilderness this is not the place for you. When we arrived at the trailhead at 10:30am it was packed with people, the first mile up to the granite field we saw easily 50 others hikers heading up. Just before the granite field though the snow began and was solid all the way to the summit. This served as a turn back point for the majority of hikers we were seeing that day, most of which did not have proper gear for snow. We had Microspikes as well as trekking poles and both helped a great deal, summit would have been very difficult without them. After the granite field the trail doesn’t really exist. It’s just a boot path in the snow that takes the most direct route up the mountain, making for a steep ascent. The views at the summit were amazing. We hiked Pilchuck last summer on a cloudy day and couldn’t believe what we were missing out on! Clear views all the way to Baker, Mt. Rainer, and the Cascade range made this hike worth every minute on the mountain. Descending was very fast as there are several slide points to take advantage of.

Started at 10:30am, back to the car at about 3:30pm. Can be done a lot faster, but we took our time on the summit.

Bugs were an annoyance for most of the day, come prepared.

i usually hike to the lookout around memorial day but the road didn't open to the trailhead until recently. the first mile and a half were melted out if somewhat muddy. rounding the corner after the last rocky traverse to the upper meadows the snow began in earnest. the trail was easy to follow as a boot path had been beaten out through it though apparently no one had gone up over the wet weekend. the trail is manageable with poles but some spots had run outs over the cliffs so be careful. then upon gaining the upper meadows it was a slog up and over the western shoulder. another steep ascent took me to the south slopes and a continuing slog to the summit. just before the lookout watch for the yellow paint splotches to your left on the rocks and follow the boulder route to the lookout, being mindful of the snowy crest on your left. it is not a cornice but one needs to watch your footing nevertheless. alas the clouds were parting around the lookout but the views remained obscured. never to mind i have been here often so the views weren't necessary. the lookout needs a new notebook log so people don't write on the walls and rafters.