It has been about two days since I did this hike and my legs/random parts of my body is still super sore.....If you're a beginner/average hiker like me (aka, hike once in a while), just note that this is a pretty tough hike, despite the short round trip mileage (approx. 5.4miles total). Overall hike difficulty rating: Intermediate Recommendations: 1. Make sure to have the NW Forest Pass when parking 2. Hiking boots highly recommended! 2/3 of the trail is super rocky and if you choose to climb the risky rocks at the end, traction on your shoes = important. 3. Due to the steepness / slopes of the rocks, I do suggest wearing capri/longer shorts for the ladies, if you choose to do some butt sliding down the rocks. 4. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and buggies. 5. Make sure you have enough battery life to take pictures of the magnificent views :) 6. Bring sunscreen + bug spray! ~ Hiking Experience: The drive to Mt Pilchuck = rough. As you pass the Heather Lake trailhead, the unpaved road gets super rough with the gravel and potholes. For regular/small cars, this road is doable for driving, but make sure to take it slow. Upon arrival at around 830ish (am), the parking lot was more than half full. Came here with a group of 10 and overall, we made it! We aren't super regular hikers, so this trail definitely had all of us working our entire body out. Beginning of the trail = as you leave the dirt path, you will notice the trail getting rockier with each step. Steepness of the trail wasn't too bad, especially with the various switchbacks in between. As you hit the bigger rocks along the trail (midway through), it gets a bit harder since you may have to use your hands at some points to help balance and such. Finally, when you get to the lookout tower, this is where your bouldering/rock climbing skills will be tested. There is no "flat" way to get the tower. You will have to use your body, hands, arms, and legs, as you climb up the rocks. After you scale the rocks, there is a ladder for you to climb on for the tower. Views from the tower = Beautiful. On a super clear sunny day, you will see the various mountain points. Areas to explore: For the adventurous people - I do recommend getting out on the rocks near the tower and do some mini explorations. You'll get awesome views, neat pictures and it's fun. Just be super careful since one wrong step can send you over the edge. When you're done with the tower, the hike down = tedious. For me, I had a few slides down the rocks (despite hiking boots on), so just remember to take it easy and slow. Bugs definitely were more apparent in the afternoon so keep moving if you don't want the bites. =] Love this hike and would definitely recommend it for everyone who likes a challenge. read more

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This is a tough hike, temp in the mid 70s. First off, the drive to the trailhead is very bad, at constant risk of parting was with your oil pan..the pot holes are deep. Drive slow and careful. I took my bordercollie on this climb, we are both avid runners, and in good shape, but this climb was tough! It is a 3 mile climb to the lookout, and the first mile or so it was fairly strait forward, shaded, beautiful, and doable. As you climb higher, you break into the scree which crescendos into climbing on, over and around some pretty hefty boulders, I wore Hoka trail shoes , and fell twice, sliding down, rock. Sometimes the trail is barely discernable, and limited visibility conditions such as nighttime or poor weather, I can see where one could easily get off track. There were a couple of streams, where there is water access for my dog..but take EXTRA water, as you'll need it. A few times I had to physically hoist my collie up some rock, by her harnesss. We could only make it to the base of the lookout as it was to difficult to get my dog up the short distance into the lookout, and I wished I had a dog sitter in order for me to go into the lookout. That being said, despite the hard work, the view, beauty, challenge and tranquility were amazing. Enjoy, pack your 10 essentials, plenty of water and make sure your dog is of the forgiving ilk. read more

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One of my favorite hikes in the Northern Cascades! Easy enough with some challenging parts. I can see why this is such a popular hike. It is relatively short hike with panoramic views and a historical fire lookout at the summit. Knowing that it is rather busy, I decided to come early on a weekday to beat the heat and the crowd. Difficulty: Moderate (because it was very rocky) Elevation gain: 2300 ft Length: 6 miles round trip Time: 1 hr 45 mins up, 1 hr 30 mins down Drive: It's about a 2 hour drive from Seattle. The Mount Pilchuck road is paved up until you reach FR 42. The last mile or two on that road is in horrible condition. Unpaved and contains large potholes, so drive with caution. Parking: Larger parking lot. Probably can fit 50 cars or so. One outhouse toilet and picnic table available. Trail: Overall trail is in good condition and easy to follow for the most part. The trail starts off in the sheltering forest for the first mile/mile in a half. With a mild to moderate steady grade incline, the trail consists of switchbacks, rocks, roots and stairs. After exiting the forest you will then proceed through the very rocky and open terrain for about another 1.5-2 miles. Hardly any shade in this area. You can catch a glimpse of the top of the summit. It may look challenging with a lot of elevation gain but trust me, it's not that bad. The incline grade during this part is pretty steady and mild. This was the most challenging part of the hike, not because it was steep but because of all the gladiator rocks. Some of the rocks are very loose so becareful and watch your footing. This part slowed down my time because some parts of the trail weren't so defined but there are many signs around stating the wrong way. The last part before reaching the lookout requires a scramble with all fours. The rocks are very large and easy to step on. Nothing to difficult. I very much enjoyed this trail because of all the variations that it had to offer. Endless switchbacks can be weary. Crowds: As we were hiking up, there were about 15 people coming down. When we reached the summit, we were the only ones there. A few minutes after that, about 10 more people made it up. As we were descending down, we probably past about 40-50 people coming up. I am glad that we came on a weekday. The lookout isn't that spacious so it would have been very packed. View: Beautiful, amazing, picturesque panoramic views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics. The lookout was very nice and relaxing because it provided shade underneath the hot sun. We came on a very clear and sunny day so the weather and views were perfect. Bugs: So many annoying bugs on this trail. Mosquitoes, flies and gnats! Bring bug spray! Tips: Most of the trail is exposed so bring sunblock! *Northwest Forest Pass required* read more

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Unimpressed. Views are nice but they are not very exciting. Dramatic effect is not there. Road sucks but any car can make it easily. Overrated but nice hike. The scrambling to the cabin and climbing the ladder and staying the night in cabin was highlight, shared with strangers. There are SUCH. Better short steep hikes with way better views such a large Winchester mountain. Pails in comparison that I was mad I wasted time on pilchuck read more

One of the best hikes in the North Cascades! This is another relatively popular hike, so I would definitely go early in the morning or on a weekday. I love this hike because It is relatively short - only about 6 miles RT and It took me about 4 hours total to go up and down with a lunch break in between. I also love it because it's one of the few hikes out there that has an old lookout tower at the top. Although it's a short hike, the 360 mountainous view at the top is breathtaking! As an intermediate hiker, I didn't find this too difficult. However, it can be rough in the heat since most of the trail is rocky and exposed. There is some light rock scrambling so wear hiking shoes with good traction! I would pack some bug spray as well since there are many mosquitoes flying around during the spring/summer. The trail itself is in excellent condition, however, the road to the trailhead is awful. It is about 1.5 miles off the Mt Loop Highway, which doesn't seem too far, but the road is unpaved and full of potholes. Definitely drive slow if you have a low clearance vehicle. The best time to go is starting in April-May when most of the snow has cleared. read more

Mount Pilchuck - Public Services & Government Near Me

By far my favorite hike ever in the Northern Cascades!!! I've hiked this mountain 3+ times and never did it once dissapoint me. There is a look out on the top of the mountain that has a 360 view. Last time I went there was a gentlemen handing out free starbucks coffee! If you're lucky you may have the same treat. Can be rocky, I advise a good shoes for this hiking trim. I would rate this hike as moderate, can be easy as you do it several times. read more

One of my absolute most favorite hikes! Although I am not an expert hiker, I love to hike. Heck... I never even used a pair of hiking shoes before (although I have a pair that is just waiting to be used). I hiked Mt. Pilchuck a couple of years back. One of my friends actually found it online and I was sort of discouraged because she told me a short story about a body being found there or something like that. I was creeped out... but today, I am so glad I never backed out on it (although I almost did). It is not an easy hike... thats for sure. However, it is not extremely difficult either (if I can do it anyone can). I hiked this in the summer when there wasn't any snow (not that I can remember, anyway). The view at the top is breath taking and worth the hard work. It is one of my most memorable hikes (hence the pictures). I just recommended this place back to my friends. If I was to do another hike in Washington, I wouldn't mind doing this one. And if I don't come back after my hike, it is probably because of the attempt of another pose on the edge of the highest rock there (again). read more

Mount Pilchuck - My friend almost pissed in her pants when I did this! - Public Services & Government Near Me

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Very challenging hike, especially on a hot day. The views from the lookout is a great reward for accomplishing the challenges. What makes this hike so challenging is the terrain, very very very rocky, and the exposure to the hot sun. Be prepared with hiking boots, sunscreen, and bug spray. Very popular place, so I recommend starting early. The road to the trailhead is partially paved, but when not paved has mega potholes so be prepared! We had no problem in our SUV but saw a lowered car having serious challenges...LOL. Great hike for dogs too, but unless you go with a companion, your dog likely won't get into the lookout tower as that's rock climbing action! Also, you'll need a WSF pass from Verlot. The Discovery Pass is not accepted! read more

Mount Pilchuck - Mt Pilchuck lookout tower - Public Services & Government Near Me

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Great hike! Stunning views! The terrain makes for medium skill in hiking. Try to go when it's not busy for the best photos up top! The bugs were the only downer. I had bug spray on though it was a combo of essential oils and they would not stop bothering me. Never bit but they would just bounce off my body so I couldn't sit still for long without going crazy! read more

Mount Pilchuck - Public Services & Government Near Me

My new fave hike!! But man am I not doing it for a while! I'm so sore lol Hike took us about 5 hours round trip (took an hour break at the top). This was the longest hike I've ever done but I thought the view was sooo worth it!! I felt like I was on top of the world! Tips: - wear proper hiking shoes! The bottom of the hike is flat/wet but as you get closer to the top the flat trail disappears and you are legit climbing over boulders! - 4 wheel drive is a must to get to the trail! Beware of the many pot holes on the 3 mile trail to get to the hiking trail - lots of water and food!! -light jacket as it gets pretty windy at the top!! read more

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Others have said plenty about the bad road conditions, but I would add my advice not to come here when the sun is setting and get in your eyes as you are driving up the unpaved road. This was my experience yesterday. At one point the sun was so blinding me, the person with me stepped out of the car to help tell me what direction to drive so that I would not go straight into one of the hundreds of XL potholes on this road; furthermore, people do not always round corners as slowly as you would like them to do which added to the stress. For the hike itself, strong shoes that can take a beating are a must since between the parking lot and the summit lie more sharp rocks than any sneakers I know are meant for; however, if you are in good shape and have the right footwear, the view from the top is spectacular, and you may find yourself coming back a second time as I did yesterday. A last word of advice: If you anticipate coming back in the dark, I recommend bringing a headlamp. Even along the main trail I often found it beneficial to use all fours, and of course it can be difficult to carry a flashlight while doing this. 4 stars. read more

If you are not physically fit, moderately active or in shape, this hike will wear on your leg muscles. Your legs will feel like rubber when you get to the top then you have to go down, which also tears on your legs again. Our dog(Shiba Inu) had no problems navigating the trail and just needed a few "up" commands to get him to jump up large rocks or boulders. You are going up hill 95% of the trail, stepping over rocks, boulders and other obstacles so don't expect a flat smooth trail. Bring a backpack with plenty of water because you will get thirsty & you might want to bring some fruit or snacks to eat at the top. Once you get to the top, stay an hour or so and enjoy the various views. Getting to the lookout is not that hard. I climbed up with one hand and a 25lb dog in the other hand & I'm by no means in shape. Trail wasn't to crowded considering it was labor day weekend, nice sunny day & a Saturday. I'd say about 40 cars in the parking lot when we arrived at noon with about 20-30 people when we arrived at the lookout point. People generally arrive at the lookout, take a peek for 5-10 minutes then leave to other summits or head back down. You can pick up your National Forest Recreation Day Pass for $5 at any Big 5 sporting goods. read more

This is my favorite place in Washington. I have a done about 50 hikes around the western part of the state since i moved here last year and this one is my favorite. It is, what I call, close to the north sound and once you get to Mountain Loop highway the drive is outstanding. If you want to make a full day of it make sure to keep your ears to the ground for the Ice Cave trail to reopen. About Mt Pilchuck though, the trail starts off ascending up a wooded dirt, well maintained trail. About 20-30 minutes in you will start getting more rocks as you make your way out of the forest. The trail only goes up so expect no relief. That being said I am in average shape and I find this hike the perfect workout. You really feel good afterwards without feeling you overexerted yourself. I did this about 5 times last year with my last time being in November but too much snow forced me to turn around about .25 from the lookout. The trail disappeared and it would have been rather risky to continue. Plan 4-5 hours and bring lots of water and snacks. Pro tip: You can spend the night in the lookout, you can bring your dog, and you can expect a MASSIVE amount of people if you go on the weekends in the summer or fall (I only go on a weekday). Just have your wireless boombox handy to annoy the hikers who can't bother to say hello back to you. read more

Mount Pilchuck - Sunset from the lookout - Public Services & Government Near Me

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Absolutely GORGEOUS!! I did this hike yesterday. It was my first time doing it and I'm surprised I haven't done it before. It's one of the best hikes I've done! The hike itself is fairly easy and fun :) And the view is to die for. read more

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If you don't have wings, relax. Thank god for your legs and climb mt. Pilchuk. Gradually you will go to the lookout tower where you will be above the clouds. Breathe. See. Feel. Spread your limbs and feel like a bird but pls do not jump- you have legs and not wings so you will have to come down which takes more time than going up - wear hiking boots- it's a very rocky trail - carry sunscreen, hats and loads of water coz it's not your regular Washington rainforest trail - carry food- remember you're not a bird! A lunch at the top is nice - dogs on leash : I saw some without so I guess it works - average hiker like me- be prepared to be sore the next day! A little bit coz you do have legs which take you to a moment to feel like an eagle perched on the top! - common sense - if u decide to see the sunset, take torch light to descend because it's a very rocky trail - have fun! It's a very beautiful hike with scenic lookouts! Learn to pause, breathe and unwind and appreciate the Beauty of our great northwest read more

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I'm surprised to see only one review. I hiked it a decade ago -- I didn't train for it at all but relatively fit at the time in my early 20s. I could still probably do it. The day I hiked, there was no snow at all -- late summer. Note that because of altitude, there can be snow up to June/ July. It is not an easy hike -- there is quite a bit of altitude change -- but I believe most people who can do moderate day hikes will have little problem. I went with a mixed group and most of the kids/ older adults didn't go all the way to the top. The top areas require a fair amount of scrambling over rocks but no equipment or special skills are needed. I didn't even have hiking boots, just good sturdy running shoes. The view from the top is spectacular and worth every step. There is a book you can sign in if you make it to the top! Remember to bring lots of water, sunscreen, extra layers just in case, and take time to rest during the hike up. read more

Almost exclusively the Mt Si/Rattlesnake Ridge crowd. Lots of newbies with status hiking gear with the requisite dog, smug trail runners and kids. The trail is clunky and rock-laden with surprising vistas and artifacts from the days when it was a ski area. The fire lookout at the top is impressive! Sheer cliffs on the south face are fantastic. Bring sturdy boots with good ankle support for the constant rocks. Do this one in the off-season for full effect or head over to Mt Dickerman (early) or Mt Pugh if you're feeling squirrely. read more

This hike is 57 miles from Seattle. I don't have a very good point of reference for its difficulty because I hiked it in a foot of snow, so it was pretty damn hard that day. Absolutely gorgeous, though. It's 6 miles out and back. I wimped out at the end, but my boyfriend took some photos from the top, so I sort of got to see it. read more

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Gorgeous hike. There was cloud cover which we broke through one mile up. It was sunny from then on. We went on a Saturday in October; it was still warm enough to wear a t-shirt and shorts. We started up the mountain around 2. We took our time. It was a pretty steep hike for being labeled easy/moderate by hiking websites. I like to be outdoors but am not in great shape. The hike wore me out but the view from the top was definitely worth it. The last half mile was hard to finish but i'm glad I made it to the top. It felt almost surreal taking in the 360 view. My boyfriend and I took about 4 hours to do the hike, up and down, but we were going slow to enjoy the experience. I would definitely recommend going spring/summer/fall. I will most definitely take my dad on this hike when he comes in the spring. read more

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Best Hike in the State that I've done so far, hands down. Having hiked all over the northwest and Montana, this is as good as it gets. Relatively short hike (sub 2 hours to get to the top) for HUGE payout. You can see 360 to all the mountains in the state. The reason is because you drive so far up and start the hike at over 6000' elevation. Even the hike along the way is nicely varied and the views just get more stunning with each switchback you make. Best month to go is probably mid to late July because the trail will be clear but you'll still see snow around. read more

I love this hike! I've been twice and it only got a little easier the second time. WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES. Please! My aunt took a stumble on the rocks, her ankle hurt but we were able to make it back down ok. Steep and rocky. The terrain changes first it starts out wet with dirt. Yet the higher in elevation it changes to rocks, just rocks. Bring lots of water The only thing I didn't understand... I paid the 5$ camping fee for parking. I didn't have a pass... I saw quite a few cars with no pass or ticket on in their windshield. read more

Mount Pilchuck - Mt Pilchuck - Public Services & Government Near Me

This is definitely a more difficult hike compared to Lake 22. Snow was present for the entire trail and you will reach a point where you cannot go any further without an ice axe. Because of this, I didn't care for it. I may try it again after the snow melts...maybe later in the year in August or Sept. read more

My boy and I went camping in the area and thought it would be fun to do a hike. Neither one of us thought it was going to be that hard as we had our tennis shoes on and a liter of water but we did it! It was a pretty dang amazing hike, in fact it's made me kinda excited to start hiking. We were there this past weekend 7/9/2010.. We got snow and lots of bugs! I would recommend bug stray! Oh and don't laugh at the people with walking sticks...I think they were smart! read more

This hike is difficult, but completely worth it when you make it to the top. After the hike you feel like a bad ass. Very vertical and rocky, so sturdy hiking shoes would be a plus. The look out at the top is very cool, but when I went, it was very crowded and difficult to get around without getting in people's way. We went around to a quieter, less crowded side and found a cozy nook to eat lunch at, along with an accidental geocache! :) This hike is worth the hard work, but try going when there's less people... read more

Definitely a rocky hike, and even a little climb at the end, but by no means too rough. I think it offers a decent elevation climb throughout the ascent to the peak, something like a half mile or less. Well worth the time and effort, though. Someone let me know if they've ever found a better view of the cascades and surrounding landscapes. There's nothing you can't see on a clear day. I loved the fire lookout! The inside shares some local history through pictures as well. read more

There are a couple of hikes where i rate them (on my scale) "Kicks my ass". This fits that category. But you want to connect with Mother Nature Si, Tiger, Pilchuk, are those. I used to say a whole lot of "Mother effins" after as i was getting to the top. read more

This was a bit of a climb but at only 2.5 miles each way you can't go wrong. And the views at the top and along the way are amazing! in all it took us about 4 hours, which included about an hour at the top to eat lunch and take pictures. read more

Based on pictures, I will agree, this is one beautiful hike........on a sunny day that is. My friend and I trekked on this hike on a cold, cloudy and rainy day and by the time we completed it, we were completely exhausted, cold, and dirty (will get to this part later). As mentioned by other reviewers, this hike is more on the range of moderate to difficult, depending on your fitness level. The trail itself requires sturdy shoes as there are patches of solid rocks that you would be treading on. Steepness of the hike was brutal as you quickly ascend with the inclines and towards the end of the hike, there's a rock scramble that you must do prior to getting on the ladder to get up the look up tower. Be extra wary when climbing this trail in wet conditions because: A) Soggy soil = a bit harder to step around as there are puddles. Make sure your shoes are waterproof or have extra socks on hand B) Rocks are slippery. Wet and slick from the moisture, you'll definitely want to be extra careful on where you walk C) Bugs: despite the rain and cold weather, there are still bugs everywhere D) The ladder to climb the lookout tower = slippery. Do be aware of your grip when going up and down E) Rock Scramble = rock climbing: my friend and I struggled on the scramble despite wearing proper hiking shoes since we kept slipping and sliding on the slightly slanted rocks. What was worse was that we are both pretty short, so to get to the ladder, we "hopped/jumped" off the rock ledge to get to it. Coming back down, we used the butt sliding technique to get ourselves off the rock scramble since the rain made everything difficult to have a solid grip for climbing. Overall, couldn't quite experience the magnificent views of Mt Pilchuck. The lookout tower was way too packed from other hikers seeking refuge from the rain and the view was misty/cloudy. I would definitely try to come back for a sunrise / sunset hike to avoid the crowds and would definitely pick a clear day to do the trail and avoid the risky pitfalls of slippery rocks, muddy trails, and dirty booty pants. read more

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My 2nd year of hiking and 9th hike of the year - EPIC. By far the best view of all the hikes i've been on up at the top lookout tower, 360 degrees of magnificence. Layers and layers of cascade mountains to your east and a grand outline of the puget sound and islands to your west. The trail itself is pretty rocky and you've got to navigate some boulders to get to the lookout tower but totally worth it! I walked out from the tower onto another couple of boulders and just lounged while having a Silver Bullet, some pistachios, peanuts, and a smoke - absolutely living. A tip might be to bring binoculars to see even more detail!!! read more

Nice hike but don't do it on a weekend even in late September,unless you want a freeway full of people. Pluses-Hike has enough challenge to make it worthwhile and great views from the top. Minuses-Loud hikers that detract significantly from the enjoyment of nature. Even worse, tons of off leash dogs. Why dog owners feel that it is their inherent right to let their dogs run free and scare any other native species from their diminished habitat seems pretty self-indulgent. read more