- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington
Mount Pilchuck: Guide to the Best Fire Lookout in Washington
Mount Pilchuck is one of the most loved fire towers in Washington State with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Mount Baker. With close proximity to the greater Seattle area, this trail is also extremely busy.
The 360 views that hikers get to enjoy from the lookout are both captivating and impressive. This trail is also many hikers’ first time completing a scramble which is required to get to the lookout.
If you’re looking to hike Mount Pilchuck this year, this blog post is for you!
Guide to Hiking Mount Pilchuck
In this blog post, I will be sharing the following:
- Accessing Mount Pilchuck – Directions, Parking, Permits, Seasons
- Trail Overview – Details about every step of the way
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Should Mount Pilchuck be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
So lace up your hiking boots knowing you’re equipped with everything you’ll need to safely and comfortably hike to this famous fire tower in Washington.
Accessing Mount Pilchuck
Before you get to the hike, here is everything you’ll want to know.
Where is the trailhead located?
Mount Pilchuck is located on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Tulalip, and Stillaguamish tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.
General Information
Region: Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
Level: Hard
Time: 3.5+ Hours
When to go: July – September
Pass/Permit: Northwest Forest Pass
Dogs Allowed?: Yes* See notes below
Getting to the trailhead
The trailhead is located at the end of a relatively long forest service road. Taken slowly, any car would be able to drive on this road. The trailhead parking lot is large and has two pit toilets. On weekends it is imperative to get to the trailhead early to get a spot in the parking lot instead of along the side of the forest service road, unless you want to add additional mileage and elevation gain.
Trailhead Facilitates
There are two large pit toilets at the trailhead, but no garbage can. All trash will need to be packed out including dog bags.
Season to Visit
If you’re wondering when you should complete the Mount Pilchuck trail, it is definitely a summer and fall trail. Since you begin the trail at 3,000 ft and end the trail at over 5,000 feet of elevation, there is lingering snow at the peak late into the year.
If you’re hiking the Mount Pilchuck Trail prior to July, expect there to be a good amount of snow on the trail. With various avalanche-prone areas, this trail is not recommended while there is still significant melting snow at the top.
The forest service road to the trailhead is at the end of a relatively long forest service road. If you choose to hike the trail before the Mount Pilchuck State Park Service opens the gate, you will need to hike an additional 1.5 to 2.0 hours from the Heather Lake Trailhead.
Hike this trail between mid-July to November.
Passes/Permits
To park at the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead, you will need a Discover Pass.
A Discover Pass has a $35 annual fee which grants access to all State Parks in Washington!
Alright. Let’s get into what it is like to hike Mount Pilchuck!
Hiking Mount Pilchuck
The trail begins with a gentle grade through dense forest and bubbling streams. You hike past large boulders that are dispersed throughout the forest before coming across the first boulder field that breaks you out of the forest.
Back into the forest, a quick switchback takes you through the boulder field for another half of a mile. This is the cleared mountainside that you’ll be summiting to get to the lookout. The exposed slope has a variety of terrain from dirt paths, to rock, to sheer rock faces. The path is steep, but on a clear day, the view of the lookout and cascade mountains keep you going to the top.
Eventually, you will reach a wooded area. This is the last push before the lookout boulder field.
Not sure what to bring hiking? Ten Essentials of Hiking
The rock scramble to the lookout has no clear path and requires both hands and feet to navigate through the terrain. Once you make it to the ladder, the 360 views of Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics from the fire tower are now in sight.
The fire tower has a book for you to mark your visit! Make sure to sign your name and date in the book and take some time to enjoy the maps of the mountains that have been placed within the tower.
There are lots of rocks to sit on and enjoy lunch if the tower gets busy.
On your climb down you will likely come across a number of hikers on their way up. Remember that they have the right away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to common questions people have about hiking the Mount Pilchuck Trail:
Are dogs allowed on the mount pilchuck trail?
YES! However there is a rock scramble and ladder to the lookout which limits a dog’s ability to access the lookout. A couple of people tethered their dog to a tree at the base of the scramble. Remember if you do decide to bring a dog on the trail with you, it is your responsibility to pick up after them!
Is mount pilchuck open?
As of 2024, the road to Mount Pilchuck is open. After a year of closure for construction, hikers can now enjoy the pot-hole-free drive up the Mount Pilchuck trailhead. In the winter months, the access gate will be closed so hikers will have to park at the Heather Lake Trailhead and add an additional five miles to their trek.
How long does it take to climb Mt Pilchuck?
It takes about 3-hours to hike the Mount Pilchuck trail going a moderate pace. Trails that average 1,000 ft per mile are rather strenuous, so add time according to fitness.
How hard is the Mount pilchuck hike?
The Mount Pilchuck hike has a difficulty rating between Moderate and Hard. The amount of elevation per mile is considered challenging, but the distance is moderate.
If you have any other questions, drop them in the comments so I can answer them!
Should Mount Pilchuck be a 100 Classic Hike?
This should absolutely be a classic hike of Washington! The preservation of these fire lookouts commemorates a piece of history in Washington. This classic hike is visited largely by people all around.
Of all the fire lookouts I have hiked in Washington, I found this to be a challenging, accessible, and extremely rewarding hike. For a beginner hiker, this might be challenging but, with one foot in front of the other, it is a manageable hike with the right preparation, expectations, and time.
I thoroughly enjoyed this hike and would love to complete it again for a chance to watch the sunset in the fire lookout.
Pack It Up
This trail is extremely busy and it is imperative that everyone does their part to protect and preserve this trail for all to enjoy. Remember to follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace when visiting this area and all other areas. For more information on check out Leave No Trace.
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Endless adventures, all at your fingertips
If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
