Mount Pilchuck - Mountain Loop Highway

Elevation gain: 2300 ft

Roundtrip distance: 5.4 miles

Northwest Forest Pass

Getting There: Mount Pilchuck is a north-bound drive approximately an hour and 35 minutes (61.1 miles) from Seattle Pacific University. Following Google Maps to “Mount Pilchuck Trailhead” will lead you to the correct trailhead, however printing out directions to the Mount Pilchuck road is recommended as you will lose cell reception soon after getting on Mountain Loop Highway. The road to Mount Pilchuck features 4.7 miles of unpaved gravel road with deadly potholes until you reach the final 1.9 paved portion to the trailhead. Be prepared to drive slowly and carefully through the potholes or consider calling up that friend with a truck or high-clearance vehicle who has been angling to hang out with you more often.

Trailhead: The parking lot at the trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass, however there is no self-issue station at the trailhead. If you do not have the pass, consider stopping at the Verlot Public Service Center to meet some genuinely enthused rangers and get that $5 day-pass for Mount Pilchuck. There is a restroom at the trailhead and clear signage to get you started in the right direction.

On the Trail: The trail starts with roughly 2 miles of steady elevation gain through dense forest until you reach an opening where the rock fields begin your steeper ascent around and up to the top of the ridge. The last part of the trail requires a difficult scramble up large rocks to get to the ladder that leads to the Mount Pilchuck Lookout. Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky terrain and bring a jacket for the wind chill that accompanies the amazing panorama view of many of Washington’s best mountains.

Nearby:

Verlot Campground

Turlo Campground

Heather Lake Trail

Lake 22