Mt Pilchuck 6-23-19

AppleWatch Stats:  5.79 miles RT, 2161 ft of elevation gain.

I drove up the ridiculously pot-holed road to Mt Pilchuck this morning.  I knew I would not have a view, as it was pretty socked in with clouds and raining, misting and breezy.  I didn't mind - I wanted the hiking and hoped that would keep the crowds thinner on this popular hike.

When I parked around 7:30am there were only 3 other cars in the lot, although 2 more arrived just after me.  Still, that is so great for Pilchuck!  This can be a hot trail, and the mist and rain ensured that today that would be different.  Water flowed down the trail, water brushed off the friendly bushes onto my clothes, water fell from the sky and from the trees overhead as they poked holes in the cloud.  Water filled each breath of breeze.  I wasn't even 1/4 way into this hike when I was drenched through my raincoat.  I had anticipated that and put my fleece in my pack so I'd have something to warm up in later.

I'm sure most of you know this, but I only just realized the trick to keeping your raincoat hood from falling over your eyes over and over is to wear a ball cap under it.  The brim keeps the hood out of your face.  So - if there are any other slow-on-the-uptake hikers out there like myself, you're welcome!  haha

The hardest part about this trail is not the elevation, it's the rocky rocky bouldery uneven trail.  You really have to pay attention to where you are putting your feet, especially when it's wet and slippery.

Don't just hike this trail thinking about the final destination - the lookout and view (if there is one) is awesome, but there is so much more to this trail. There are some huge great gnarly trees on the way up, and huge slabs of rock in all shapes and sizes.  Some are laying flat like tables and some are jutting up in defiance of gravity.

There is also wildlife to be seen.  Birds were all along the trail today, including a redbreasted sapsucker feeding her baby woodpeckers.  Also there were pikas!  Usually hear these little guys squeaking before I see them, but today their whistles must have been wet, as they were silent.  So adorable though!  Any hike I see a pika is a good hike.

The lookout itself is perched on the peak of Pilchuck with an amazing tumble of giant rock jutting out from under it.  You can walk all the way around the outside of it, and also (if it's unlocked) go in and read about the history of the tower and have a dry place to eat lunch.

The "view" behind me from the lookout

If you're hiking with dogs or very small children, you should be aware that the very last bit of bouldering up to the lookout ladder can be tricky and the ladder is not one that dogs can climb on their own.

I met a lot of friendly people on the trail today, and despite the weather enjoyed some heartbreakingly breathtakingly beautiful scenery.  Get out there and love this place we live!