Mt. Pilchuck Lookout from Mountain Loop Highway (18 miles RT)

The hike from Mountain Loop Highway to Mount Pilchuck Lookout is about 18 miles round-trip, but it is an exhilarating adventure that rewards every step with sweeping views and a touch of history.

Starting from Mountain Loop Highway, we will follow the road to Mount Pilchuck trailhead and then the trail to the lookout tower at 5,236ft, an elevation gain of about 4,200 feet. As you ascend, the terrain becomes more rugged, and the final stretch involves a bit of scrambling over rocks to reach the summit.

At the top sits the restored Mount Pilchuck fire lookout. Originally built in 1918 and rebuilt in 1990, the lookout offers 360-degree views of the North Cascades, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, the Olympics, and even Puget Sound on a clear day

Start: 9:00 AM
Turnaround time: 1:30 PM
Back to start: 6:00 PM

Weather: 7-Day Forecast 48.06N 121.79W
Meeting Point: 48.08415108850152, -121.76185219286785
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZN1ymVKReHoNW5zf9

Trip reports suggest some snow at the peak; micro-spikes and trekking poles are recommended.

For easier communication, I have created a group. You may use https://groupme.com/join_group/108300286/FTmy8Hpu