John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2024-08-02

Location: Mt. Pilchuck

People: (including myself): Pam

			Alt.	Miles
Start:		9:50	3160	0
Lookout:	12:00	5324	3
Leave:		12:40
Out:		2:45		6

The day was hot and sunny.  I brought two water bottles and could probalby have used a bit more. 

The trail starts off in trees.  It is in good shape with quite a few improvements to cut down erosion.  About a third of the way up you leave the trees and their shade and spend more time on rock. 

It has been years since I've done a hike with this much elevation gain, and my muscles felt it going up and even more so on the way back down.  I was pretty sweaty by the time we reached the lookout. 

There was a number of folks at the lookout, but (perhaps it being a week day) it wasn't too crowded.  It was warmer in the lookout, but all the good shady spots outside were occupied, so we ate lunch inside. 

It took us a little longer going down than it did going up.  My legs were feeling a bit fatigued and I was being careful with my foot placement on the rocky upper section.  Once we got into the trees the pace picked up. 

Despite it being rather warm (upper 70s) it was a really nice hike.  I'd been wanting to go back (the last time I'd been up it was 13 years ago) for a while. 

View down the ridgeline after climbing out of the trees. 

View of ridge nearer to the summit. 

View west from lookout towards Puget Sound and Lake Stevens. 

Trail route, with lookout at the bottom right.