Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
The steep hike to the top of Pyramid Peak begins with a nearly level 80-yard walk on the Pacific Crest Trail to its signed junction with the Pyramid Peak Trail. After this easy warmup in the forest, the work begins with a steep switchback climb on the minimally used trail that rarely receives formal maintenance. The light use means a better chance to see wildlife or signs of wildlife (deer, elk and more).
Most of the first 0.3 miles of the trail is on forest duff due to the light use, which makes for a soft trail. The dense forest canopy means little understory and lots of shade (nice on a sunny day!). Due to the minimal maintenance, there are logs to step over or around.
The second 0.3 mile is in open forest with lots of blueberry bushes crowding over the trail. In mid-summer, this area is a lupine garden. Later in the summer, the berries are ripe for picking. The views in this section are still mostly blocked by the forest, with a few peek-a-boo views to the south.
The last 0.1 mile is in the open as it skirts the rocky southern edge of the peak, provides the first look at the expansive southern view, and reaches the rocky perch at the summit. What was once an impressive view to the north is now blocked by decades of tree growth.
Pyramid Peak was the site of two USFS lookouts from the 1930s to the early 1960s. The latest was intentionally burned down by the USFS in 1968, leaving broken glass, nails, and anchors — just watch your seat as you enjoy the view.
Some maps show a trail coming from Windy Gap and up the north side of Pyramid Peak. This section of trail — formerly the Cascade Crest Trail — is long abandoned and now is a brush bash.
This hike is best done midweek when the stillness of the backcountry is not overwhelmed with the sounds of gunfire, motorcycles, and ORV’s. If doing this hike during the Modern Firearms Deer Hunting Season (about 3rd week in October), be sure to have bright clothing, preferably orange or pink, and expect to meet at least one of the hundreds of hunters in the Greenwater River drainage.
Note: This initial description of the hike uses the shortest hiking route to the junction of the PCT and the Pyramid Peak Trail. Three other ways to get to this trail junction, which involve more hiking but less stressful driving.
- Pyramid Pass: Hike north on the jeep road for 30 yards and then left on the PCT for 0.4 miles.
- Windy Gap: Hike west southwest then south 0.1 mile on the access trail, then 0.8 mile south on the PCT.
- Horse Camp: Hike 0.8 miles on the access trail, then 2.3 miles north on the PCT.
Trailhead
