Need something to do in the Cascades? There are plenty of hiking options and plenty of mountains to conquer. The easiest and most accessible peak in the Cascades happens to have a rewarding summit, complete with a retired fire lookout. The Mount Pilchuck hike is a 6 mile round trip hike with just over 2000ft of elevation gain.
Located just east of Everett the drive to Mount Pilchuck is scenic and potentially dusty. Depending on the time of year the beginning of the trail can be quite misty. Surrounded by a tall old growth forest the trail is well maintained and traveled. When the path steepens expect to find steps laid out by those that came before with tools.
I would not recommend this hike if your out of shape. Even though there is not much elevation gain, once you are out of the forest the trail can become quite tedious in spots. The last one-thousand vertical feet are earned with careful navigation of protruding rocks and stones that attempt to reach-out and twist your ankle if your not careful. The very last fifty vertical feet is best described as a boulder scramble to the fire lookout. Once at the look at, this is your best option for a place to sit down and each lunch with mesmerizing vistas, provided you've come on a clear day, which is not indicative of western Washington weather.
Expect to spend about 3-4 hours on this hike, unless you just steam-roll the entire trail. From valleys that open up, sheer cliffs and picturesque lakes there is plenty to see along the way. Remember that you are in bear country so be on the lookout.
ANS gives this hike 4 out of 5 stars.
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