Trip report by: brettmi@microsoft.com
"I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend."
This was my first hike up Mount Pilchuck. I picked this trail/destination because of the many trip reports I've read about the short distance and rewarding views.
I trained for approximately a month, doing 2 walks a day totalling 3.5-4.5 miles a day. I walked at a brisk pace (3-4mph) and tried to incorporate uphill/downhill sections.
I was all set to arrive at the trailhead by 6:30am (to avoid the crowds), but a thick fog was hanging over Everett, so I decided to wait until the fog burnt off a bit. I finally left about 9am. I took a longer (but scenic) route to Mt. Pilchuck via I-5->SR530->Mt. Loop Highway and arrived at the trailhead at 11am. There were about 10 cars already parked at the parking lot and a few more came in while I was locking up and putting on my 20lb daypack.
The lower sections of the trail were very easy to follow. There were a few muddy sections, but otherwise the trail was great. The worst part about the wooded sections of the lower trail was the bugs. I was buzzed by bees and swarms of biting flies and gnats for the whole lower trail. My DEET-based bugspray didn't seem to bother the bugs one bit, so I'm probably going to try a different formula next time.
Once I got out of the trees, the views became much more striking. However, with the loss of the tree cover, it became much hotter hiking. (It was 80-85F in the lower elevations that day.) I kept at it until I reached the saddle between the summit and Little Pilchuck. I stopped there for a small snack and some water.
After this point, the trail became steeper and the cool breeze vanished after passing over the saddle to the west side of the ridge. This is where I started to really get winded and hot quickly, so I took frequent short breaks to hydrate and keep my heart-rate at a sane level.
Also, after passing over the saddle, it seems that everybody you meet on the way down says, "You're almost there!" Liars. You've actually got several more switchbacks and maybe 30-45 minutes of hiking (at my pace) before you get to the lookout.
Views from the lookout were incredible. Clouds obscured the views to the West, but the view of Three Fingers and Glacier Peak to the East were amazing. It was very easy to spend an hour up there without even realizing it. However, a big cloudbank came up the west side of the summit and cooled things off considerably. I slipped on my Gore-Tex to break the wind and decided it was time to go down.
The trip down went pretty easily. On the way up, I was tired from the exertion of climbing. On the way down, there was much less exertion, but having to walk on large, loose rocks on tired legs and feet makes the trip down seem much longer than it really is. Once I got into the wooded sections of the lower trail, I found it much easier to run down sloping trail sections rather than slowly walk down them. (It put less pressure on my knees and feet.) Unlike some trip reports I've read, I did not have knee-pressure problems. I attribute this fact to the hill training I did before taking this hike.
All in all, I enjoyed this hike immensely. You don't have to be a hard-core hiker/climber to successfully complete this trail. However, if you aren't in particularly good shape, this trail is more physically-challenging than many trip reports would lead you to believe. Caveat emptor...
Good luck!
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.