This is becoming one of my favorite hikes around Mt. Loop, but then again I like solitude and this has plenty of it since the access road is rough and the trail even rougher. Most of the access road is narrow and rough, but not steep. However, there is an especially deep trench to drive through and thankfully we had Cathy's Forester! Another couple of winter snow melts or just one really nasty one, and I believe this road won't be drivable to any car. The trail is something else again. I've been on worse, but this isn't something that casual hikers would like at all. Most of the folks that I saw on Pilchuck yesterday would be appalled. Still, it was just fine with me. You start out on an ancient logging road without much elevation gain, but in short order it turns to true trail. The first mile or so is nice through open forest, but once you pass the climber's wall it becomes rough with intermittent sections of steep and crazy steep with roots, rocks, mud, and other fun stuff finally entering gentler meadows at about 2 1/2 miles. The stats for this trip is 5.4 miles RT and 2350' gain, but it felt like a lot more. It didn't help that it was blazing hot today, although most of the time we were in nice shady forest. The last 1/2 mile or so is a blueberry fest. I did this trip a couple of years ago and was very impressed with wonderful, fairyland pools and waterslides that occur one after the other in the meadow section. These are pretty much dried up now, and I'd definitely recommend doing this trip in July since in my opinion this is the best feature of the hike. Still, the views from the pass are wonderful. Three Fingers is right in your face as is White Horse and all the granite cliffs thereabouts reminding me of the Rockies of Montana. I honestly believe that this is some of the best country in the area and it's a real shame that the road and trail are falling into disuse. So folks, drive this road and hike this trail and let the Darrington Ranger District know that we want this area open. I kept thinking all day that if this trail was made more hikeable, people would come and their boots would make it more hikeable yet. Otherwise, it will become another forgotten trail and the access road will be left to deteriorate. What a shame that would be.

Wet and muddy trail that was slick in spots. Some areas are steep. The blue and huckleberries were fully ripe. The road is suitable for high clearance cars and trucks.

Trail muddy and lots of puddles. Wear waterproof shoes, and pants.

This was our original plan for the day, however about 2 miles up the road, it had a deep creek bed that has dug out the road enough to make it impassible for low clearance cars. I have an Awd Subaru and wouldn't not have made it without bottoming out. I see people have done it recently so I know it's doable, but not with low clearance!

This is a great one! We went on a cloudy Saturday and only saw 5 other people, not 5 groups 5 people! It is a rugged trail for sure. Don't let the low milage fool you, this one is harder than you think. Definitely doable and so worth it! It just isn't as easy as you might think looking at the milage and elevation gain. There is still a snow field for the last mile. If you know the route or can follow previous tracks, the snow is very passible. Our group didn't use micro-spikes and were fine, but gaiters would have been nice. Not necessary if you are early before it gets slushy, but your feet will get a little wet as ours did. Most of us also had trekking poles which were nice to have. There is a great place to eat lunch at the pass with an expansive view all around you. If you look really close on the left finger of the Three Fingers you can see the lookout up there. There is also a fun scramble at the pass, however the views don't really improve. You will have to bushwhack a bit to reach the foot of the scramble. Would definitely recommend this one! But try not to tell too many people, it was nice to have it so quiet;)