Mount Pilchuck
3 days ago
Intermittent snow and ice
12 this month · 164 reports
Pinnacle Lake
North Cascades
updated 2 weeks ago
The trail to Pinnacle Lake presents a challenging yet rewarding experience as of October 25. Recent reports indicate significant mud, particularly beyond the memorial bench, requiring waterproof footwear and attire. The road to the trailhead is consistently described as rough and is only recommended for high-clearance vehicles, with some sections posing challenges even for SUVs, September 15, September 7, August 26. The trail itself features numerous blowdowns and can be rooty and rocky, especially in the initial miles, September 7. Despite these obstacles, the trail is snow-free. Hikers have noted a lack of other people on the trail, suggesting a quiet experience, August 26.
Generated from 20 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Pinnacle Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 2 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road is rough and recommended for high-clearance vehicles only. As of October 25, it has small, avoidable potholes from the highway to Boardman Lake, but significantly worsens before the Pinnacle Lake trailhead, with one report noting a washout near the trailhead that would likely damage a sedan.
The trail is snow-free but can be very muddy, especially beyond the memorial bench, with reports from October 25 and September 15 describing it as deeply muddy. There are also numerous blowdowns and rooty, rocky sections noted, September 7.
No bugs have been reported on the trail in recent reports. Hikers have noted no bugs as of October 25, September 15, and September 7.
Parking lot conditions have been sparse. As of October 25, there were no cars or bathrooms at the trailhead. One report from September 7 noted only six cars at the trailhead at 9 AM on a holiday, suggesting the small capacity lot is usually not an issue.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent2 weeks ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
I linked the Boardman Lake and Pinnacle Lake trailheads by taking a forest road walk between the two. Not much to see on the forest road, but it was easier on my feet than it would have been on my car...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
First mile of this hike is a MONSTER! But real fun! Make sure you have good waterproof hiking shoes. It’s a muddy one at the moment!After you pass a memorial bench, the trail is very easy sailing.
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Summary.Great hike, if you’re willing to look past the nasty forest road & nasty trail conditions.The morning was foggy & misty, with plenty of muddy sections getting my feet wet.Beyond the rooty & ro...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
This was a Mountaineers scramble. We made our way to Pilchuck via the Pinnacle Lake TH, Herman's Peak, and Bathtub Lakes. While the mileage and the elevation gain were moderate, we were rock-hopping o...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
I hiked to Bathtub Lakes via Pinnacle Lake, largely because it seemed to be the place with best air quality today.The road in is a challenging one. It's great until just a little before the Ashland La...
Older3 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
I hiked this on Sunday July 12.THE ROAD: this road is pretty rough on the turn off that takes you up to pinnacle Lake trailhead. I recommend high clearance. I drove my boyfriend’s Ford F150 and that d...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
If you're looking for a nice little 2 miler to a pretty lake, best to turn off at 22. This one is a challenging hike at the end of a bad road. It reminded us of the trails of yore, rocky, root ladders...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Today we went to Bear and Pinnacle Lakes.My first time back since around the year2000.We arrivedaround 8 and there was one other vehicle in the lot.Last 2 miles of the forest road is pretty rough with...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
Had to stop about a mile before the trailhead because the road was in really rough conditions that the car could not get through. I would recommend others to do the same unless you have a car for off ...
Older4 months ago
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
The bulk of the road to the TH is in good condition. Beware of the surveyors tape at about 2 miles from the hwy. Slow immediately for the cluster of potholes it marks. After turning right at the inte...