Climb to the top of Mount Pilchuck’s rocky lookout and gaze in wonder at the imposing Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and the North Cascades mountain range. A challenging 2.7-mile trail that begins on U.S. Forest Service Land winds through alpine forests and shale into this iconic day-use park. At the end of the trail, you’ll come across a 1918 fire lookout that now serves as a 360-degree scenic viewpoint for visitors. Before you reach the lookout, you’ll scramble over white rock called quartz monzonite, which used to be molten magma cooling deep under the Earth’s surface. Since the trail to this park begins on U.S. Forest Service Land, you’ll need a Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful pass. The Forest Service closes the access road to this trailhead past Heather Lake in the winter, and the trail usually has snow until early summer, so visitors typically tackle this trek in the warmer months.
Mount Pilchuck Trailhead, Granite Falls, WA 98252
