Mount Pilchuck
North Cascades
As of September 2025, Mount Pilchuck is accessible and the trail is in excellent condition, thanks to recent WTA updates including new stairs and puncheons. Hikers encountered some slippery rocks, especially on the descent, and a fair amount of boulders and rocky terrain. Parking was reported as full even in the afternoon (September 20th). Smoke from wildfires impacted visibility, though air quality reportedly improved at higher elevations. Bear sightings were noted, but did not cause concern. The road to the trailhead has improved with filled potholes. Fall foliage was beginning near the summit.
generated from 82 reports
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What a great trail. WTA updated the trail 2 summers ago. Look for the video on YouTube. The new stairs are beautiful. There are also some incredible rock stairs. The trail markers are really helpf...
Arrived around Noon on Tuesday AM - weather was around 60 and we could smell and feel smoke from the fires out east - the wind apparently shifted today with smoke heading West. Nevertheless, the highe...
Trail was in good condition, slippery in spots from wet boots on rocks. Other hikers reported seeing a mama bear and 2 cubs but I never saw or heard it going up or down the trail. Smoke made the views...
Great trial. Got to the trail at 3pm and the parking lot was still full. Alot if people on the trial up and down. The trail was a little wet and slippery in a few places. But nothing terrible. The tr...
We had a great time today hiking Mount Pilchuck. You’ll start this hike in a magical forest with lots of stairs. Lots and lots of stairs. They didn’t bother me until the way down. Once you leave the f...
I had been saving this one for an off-season weekday, and what a treat it was! Perfect weather and not crowded at all :-)The road up was in good shape, and there were only a few cars in the parking lo...
Arrived at 8:30 on a sunny Thursday. Twelve cars in lot. Fall colors are starting. The trail is very rocky so trekking poles were especially helpful on the downhill. Some blueberries still on bushes....
With not many warm, clear days left this summer, we headed up to Mount Pilchuck to take advantage of its panoramic views. The road up to the trailhead is in great condition due to the recent maintenan...
Beautiful day, no smoke! The road is in very good condition. Parking lot was full when we arrived at 10 on a sunny Saturday. We were about the third car on the road. Later in the afternoon the cars li...
Mount Pilchuck trail is quite challenging, but the breathtaking panoramic views from the summit make it extremely popular on clear weekends. Perhaps due to the arrival of autumn, there were fewer hike...
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