From
Seattle take I-5 North to Exit 194. Follow Highway 2 East for 2.3
miles, stay in left lane, go to Lake Stevens Highway 204 East, in
2.2 miles take left (north) on Highway 9 to Lake Stevens, in 1.7 miles
take right (east) on Highway 92 to Granite Falls, in 8.4 miles turn
left (north) to Mountain Loop Highway. Pass Verlot Public Service
Center at MP 12 turn right on the Pilchuck Road #42 (right after the
bridge). The trailhead is on the right side of the road in about 7
miles.
Trailhead:
Big
parking, water and toilet are available. Campsites are on the right
side of the road before trailhead.
Trail:
From
the trailhead follow the gravel road for about 0.2 mile to Y junction.
Take the right fork. Right after that there will be a small creek
- this is your only chance for water on this trail - make sure you
have enough. For the first mile the trail switchbacks gradually climbing
through the old forest. When the trail enters open rocky slopes impressive
view of valley and the mountains opens up .
The slopes were used as a ski area back in 60s and 70s. The lookout
was rebuild by the Everett Mountaineers in 1977
and now is used only by hikers who wish to stay overnight, or enjoying
the exceptional views of the Cascades, Olympics and Puget Sound (on
a good day though). Thanks to the contribution made by Scott Harder,
we present these pictures of the views from Mount Pilchuck Lookout.
