I've been meaning to check this one off my list for a while, and figured it would be a good choice for a smokey day. Wow, this place is a fantastic payoff for the effort. I'm not sure the milage, but it is definitely sub 4 miles via the Pinnacle Lake route. I know you can access this area from Pilchuck, but I imagine it would be a much longer hike. There is a faint boot path to follow from Pinnacle, that becomes more obvious once the ridge is obtained. You can see the top of the ridge soon after leaving Pinnacle, but the going is very slow up Iodine Gultch.
The road to the trailhead is probably possible for smaller cars, but only if you really don't like your car and have lots of patience. It's fine for higher clearance vehicles at the moment.
There are a few well manicured camp spots around the lakes, I will definitely be making an overnight trip at some point. I saw no one else on the trail the entire time. However, someone came up to Pinnacle Lake while I was at Bathtub Lakes and littered plastic bottles and food wrappers both along the trail and at the trailhead. I was trail running the last half of the trail and was very much hoping to catch up to this person, but they were gone by the time I arrived back at my car.
If you went to Pinnacle lake between 3 and 6pm yesterday, please learn to respect the trails or find a new hobby.
Comments
mato on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
I was expecting some lousy pics due to the smoke, but those actually turned out really cool!
Surprised you haven't started a firestorm of your own for posting this...
Posted by:
mato on Aug 22, 2018 07:32 PM
Sean on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
Thanks! I'm happy with how they turned out too.
And I've heard that this is supposed to be a "secret" destination, but there is plenty of information on how to get here for anyone who is curious. Plus, the trail is frequently marked with yellow paint, which kinda gives off conflicting signals to the whole elusiveness of it. In my experience, the more difficult a hike is, the more respectable the people who go there will be. Not always, but for the most part. This trail is difficult enough that it will deter many of the crowds we all wish to avoid. If anyone puts in the effort to make it here, they have just as much of a right to enjoy it as I do. Plus, there is no shortage of secret, beautiful locations in this area if you look hard enough.
Posted by:
SeanWoods! on Aug 22, 2018 08:04 PM
mato on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
I happen to agree with you, and couldn't have said it better!
Posted by:
mato on Aug 22, 2018 08:26 PM
a smith on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
Would you say this is a kid friendly hike?
Posted by:
a smith on Aug 23, 2018 08:45 PM
Sean on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
This is definitely not a kid friendly hike. The way I took would be considered challenging even for the average hiker.
Posted by:
SeanWoods! on Aug 24, 2018 07:37 PM
Tree Hugger on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
Wow wow wow!! Gorgeous photos. I've been wanting to do this hike for some time, but I get older and more out of shape each year. I've always thought of it as the poor man's Enchantments, since it's short and you don't need to do a permit lottery (which I've entered for about five years in a row and still have never gotten a permit).
Posted by:
Tree Hugger on Oct 07, 2018 12:00 PM
SeanWoods! on Bathtub Lakes, Pinnacle Lake
Thanks! The smoke made for interesting lighting. You should definitely make a trip here, it is very worth the effort and no need to wait for a permit. The enchantments are undeniably beautiful, but I'm much more attracted to places like this where there is a good chance you'll have it to yourself.
Posted by:
SeanWoods! on Oct 07, 2018 01:46 PM