Mt Pilchuck snow hike 12/30/14

Hike: Mount Pilchuck (snow edition)

Date:12/30/14

Distance/Gain: 5.4miles, 2300 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 5327 ft

Rating: 9/10

Pros: Views, quite literally as far as the eye can see in every direction

Cons: None, only that this hike will be closed within days for the season

Wow, what else can I say about this hike today but wow.  We got off to a somewhat late 9:00 start time.  The road to the trail was clear until about a mile passed Heather Lake.  After that the compact snow and ice begins.  Compact snow and ice quickly turned into 10"+ deep snow + large ruts in the parking lot.  I wouldn't take anything but a truck or SUV at this point due to ground clearance issues.

The parking lot had 4 cars in it, which surprised me for the amount of snow, and the fact is was a

Tuesday. The temp was mid teens, and the sky was pure blue, did I mention that it was cold?

A month back when I attempted this hike I was unprepared without my Microspikes, and got turned back at 4400ft due to the extremely icy conditions, what a difference a heavy snow makes. Thankfully some snowshoers had made a very packed nice trail to follow today.  While I don't want to use the word easy, the snow made the trail conditions very manageable.  There were no large rocks, or roots, just a nice, flat steady grade from the snow trail.

We pushed pretty quickly through the short mile of forested area to get to the first Talus field, just as I thought with the clear air, and the snow, made a beautiful view of Rainier.

Continuing on we reached the second opening in the tree line, It was there that I once again got to
experience the sound that I have only heard at Blanca Lake, complete deafening silence.  There wasn't a bug, a bird, a plane or a train, not a sound in the world and a view all the way to the Olympic mountains and beyond, if the hike had ended here I could have been perfectly content. But luckily for us, there was plenty left to see.

Shortly after, you begin winding around to the  northeast and get views of Anacortes, Mount Baker, and much more. Take in the sights as you begin your switchback towards the top, the view growing better and more amazing each climb.  The beauty of this hike is you don't really get tired, you are too preoccupied taking everything in, and too eager to get to the next switchback to see what its views have in store for you.

When we reached the fire lookout, we shared the view with about 7 others.  After spending some time refueling, we began our quick decent back down. It would have been a slippery go without some form of traction devices, but out of the 20 people that were coming up after us I saw a few trying it without them.

Takeaways from this hike, if you can do it in winter on a clear day DO IT.  Bring a minimum of at least spikes, gaiters, and if you want more then poles will help.  We heard rumblings that the gate may be locked tomorrow 12/31, but we spoke with a Sheriff at the trailhead who said he had not been told that yet.  So if you have time this week, take advantage of this weather! This hike could close any day for the season.