Mount Pilchuck

BOU AVENUE
Mount Pilchuck

On 19 August 2024, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked up Mount Pilchuck located about thirteen kilometres east of Granite Falls, Washington. A restored but inactive fire lookout sits atop the summit and is easily reached by a good trail as described by the Washington Trails Association. Like many other easy-to-access peaks within a day's drive of Seattle, Mount Pilchuck is exceedingly popular during hiking season, and the fire lookout in particular can get quite congested on busy days. While the summit is located within Mount Pilchuck State Park, the trailhead is actually located within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and the trail is maintained by the US Forest Service. As such, a Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful Pass (not the state's Discover Pass) is required to park at the trailhead.

From the city of Granite Falls, head north on Alder Avenue which becomes Mountain Loop Highway past the intersection with Alpine Street. From the intersection, drive 18.6 kilometres north and then east before turning right onto the Mt Pilchuck Access Road (mix of pavement and 2WD gravel). Drive 2.2 kilometres and continue past the Heather Lake trailhead. Drive another 8.8 kilometres to road's end at the Mount Pilchuck trailhead (vault toilet available).

In 2017, I inexplicably had this crazy notion that Zosia and I could walk up Mount Pilchuck from the Heather Lake trailhead during winter when the access road is normally closed due to accumulated snow. This would have entailed an approach of nearly 9 kilometres one-way with about 540 metres of elevation gain just to reach the Mount Pilchuck trailhead. The post-holing alone would have been a Herculean task and possibly even dangerous higher up the mountain. Fortunately, we did not get far before coming to our senses and pulling the plug (we opted for a more reasonable winter objective in Heather Lake).

Seven and a half years later, Zosia and I finally returned under more agreeable conditions and started our hike from the normal trailhead. The easy-to-follow trail rises steadily for about the first three kilometres through old-growth forest before entering a more open and rocky bowl below the northwest side of the summit. Interestingly, there used to be a small ski resort on the mountain which accounts for the occasional strange infrastructure visible along parts of the trail here. After winding up through the rocky bowl, we wrapped around to the south side of the mountain and eventually arrived at the end of the trail below a pile of big boulders guarding the fire lookout. Reaching the ladder to the fire lookout's observation deck entails a short scramble over the boulders which requires a bit of care due to the uneven footing.

Camping is apparently allowed at the fire lookout on Mount Pilchuck, but space is understandably limited. A couple that had started from the trailhead well before us had already set up camp inside the lookout building when Zosia and I arrived along with a few other hikers. The couple appeared to be snoozing or relaxing on their Thermarests on the floor of the interior while the rest of us noisily milled about on the outer observation deck. At one point, I stepped inside briefly to photograph some of the interpretive signs there and apologized for disturbing their peace. Frankly, I am a bit perplexed as to why they even decided to set up camp in the lookout so early when there would be a steady stream of hikers--possibly more than a hundred--arriving and congregating there throughout the rest of the day. Even Zosia and I felt compelled to leave when the number of people at the lookout began to swell with each passing minute.

Zosia and I enjoyed a straightforward descent hiking back to the trailhead the same way we came. Most notably, we passed numerous people still on their way up, and I wondered how late in the day the camping couple would have to wait before finding some peace and quiet at the fire lookout.

	Here is a view of the top of Mount Pilchuck from the trailhead during the previous evening.
	Zosia hikes the easy-to-follow trail through old-growth forest.
	Zosia is seemingly stuck inside this tree beside the trail.
	The terrain opens up higher on the mountain. The top of Mount Pilchuck is visible at upper right.
	Here is a more complete view of the top of Mount Pilchuck from the rocky bowl below.
	Mount Pilchuck's fire lookout is perched on top of a pile of big boulders.
	Zosia climbs a ladder to reach the fire lookout's observation deck.
	Sonny and Zosia sit on a big flake of rock near the summit of Mount Pilchuck (1623 metres).

Best summit view in the morning.

Several notable mountains are visible in this panoramic view to the north.

	Glacier Peak stands out on the centre horizon in this view to the east.
	Here is a zoomed-in view of Mount Baker which is about 80 kilometres away.
	The city of Everett and Puget Sound are visible to the west as Zosia descends the upper mountain.
	Total Distance: 9.0 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 32 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 629 metres GPX Data