| Trip Report: Mt Pilchuck | ...back to home |
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With a few days off work and a beautiful weather outlook,
my wife and I decided to head out for a New Year’s Eve adventure. Since moving
to Washington, I’d heard and read about the amazing views and hoards of people
on Mt. Pilchuck in the summer. Our previous attempt in April from the eastern
side ended in heavy rain and deep snow drifts.
The day started with a nice surprise: the gate was open. Figuring the forest
service had opened it due to light snow on the road, we headed up, expecting to
get shutdown by heavy snow. Slowly, the miles ticked by and we didn’t hit much
snow until the last mile. With a decent path already laid down, we were able to
push all the way to the parking lot. There was only one other car there, but we
were hoping they’d already beaten down a nice path for us. This was our first
time winter camping (Red Rocks in January really doesn’t count) and I’d built a
sled, hoping that hauling our extra gear on the sled would be easier than
heaving it in the pack. We followed the early snowshoe tracks but quickly
realized they didn’t follow the actual trail. Soon enough, another single
snowshoer passed us and found the actual trail. After a tricky stream crossing
which I bear hugged the sled across, we were on the actual trail, following the
tracks of the other hiker. Working higher earned us spectacular views to the
north of Baker, Shuksan, Whitehorse and the Three fingers. Eventually we stopped
for a lunch break after thrashing with the sled up some steep powder.
While we were enjoying our cheddar and crackers, the other hiker passed us on
the way down. He told us he’d turned around at the steep section near the saddle
where you cross to the south side of Pilchuck. He mentioned some loose snow that
made him nervous and the steep section, which he said would be hard to get back
up without help if you slipped off. Leslie and I don’t have a lot of snow
experience, just an Avalanche awareness class from ASAP, what we learned in a
MWR ice axe arrest class and what we’ve read. After hearing his concerns, we
both were a little nervous and decided that being conservative isn’t always a
bad thing.
We continued and arrived at the saddle. Looking around, I could tell where we
needed to end up, but not necessarily how to get across. By now, we could see a
couple more groups coming up and decided another snack might help us figure out
where to go. I was hoping some of the other new where to go and would break a
nice trail for us to haul the sled across. That wasn’t quite the case. While
waiting to hear back from a couple guys who went “exploring” for the right path,
we decided to make camp on the saddle. The views were spectacular, the snow
seemed stable, it was getting later and we figured the tent would be just as
nice for the night as the lookout.
Eventually, the guys came back from the correct path, but by this time, the tent
was up and the Moscato was already chilling in the snow. A magnificent sunset
led into a spectacular night. The stars where brilliant to the northeast as the
lights from Anacortes to Seattle began springing up in the west. I’d like say we
made it to midnight and saw the fireworks. But we didn’t. Dinner and the wine
were gone by 7, and we were in bed by 8. We’d set an alarm for midnight with
idea we’d get up, drink hot chocolate and watch the fireworks in Seattle. When
it went off, we were much too warm to be bothered. We mumbled a “Happy New
Years” to each other and drifted off into the warmth of our bags.
2011 began subtly. The sunlight slowly crept around the mountains, the puffy
pink and faint orange first lighting up the Three Fingers, then Baker and
Shuksan and finally the Olympics across the valley. After a quick breakfast, we
headed up on the now well defined path across the steep section, switchbacking
up on the south face. A short while later, we were at the lookout, just as
another couple who made it up the night before were headed out. A few minutes
and a few pictures later, we were headed back down. Back at camp, we packed up
and headed out. The trip back down to the car was uneventful except for the
sled, which kept sliding off the path as we traversed underneath the saddle.
We were almost out when we met two guys headed up who said the gate was now
locked. Apparently, the forest service wants it closed but some 4X4 enthusiasts
moved a Jersey barrier and keep cutting the locks and chains, according to the
nice Sheriff who opened the gate to let us out. So, if you plan on heading up,
don’t expect the gate to be open. I guess we got a late Christmas present, just
in time for New Year’s Eve.
Duration: 2 days
Elevation gain: c2,200 ft
Length: 5 miles