Mount Pilchuck

I hiked Mount Pilchuck finally on Friday, July 17. Getting a semi-late start, it was already hot out (it reached 90 degrees in Seattle). But the sky was as clear as one could ask for on a summit hike. Despite the hot weather, Pilchuck was a fantastic hike with breathtaking views almost the entire distance of the trail. At the top, we scrambled to the defunct fire lookout tower with 360 degree views of Mount Rainier, Central Cascades, Glacier Peak, Three Fingers, North Cascades, Mount Baker, Puget Sound, surrounding lowlands, and everything in between. Standing on the rickety fire lookout tower gave me the willies, but the view was worth any shaky knees. Definitely worth the climb!

Area: Mountain Loop Highway/Granite Falls
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2300
High Point: 5340

View from the fire lookout northeast.

Fire lookout tower with daring people scaling surrounding rocks.
Glacier Peak.
View east from the fire lookout of Glacier Peak and Central Cascades.Mount Baker to the left under some clouds; Three Fingers to the right.
View North from the fire lookout.
View west towards Puget Sound.
View southeast from fire lookout.
One peak of Pilchuck.
Our future destination!