Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mt. Pilchuck 1/5/2017
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Jim Dockery
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Jim Dockery
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 9:03 am 
Three of us headed up Mt. Pilchuck to celebrate my friend John's 66th B-day. We were happy to find a good ski track up to the parking lot that helped the boring 6 miles of road go faster. From there John broke trail up the winter/spring ski route in a few inches of light snow over a firm base, that also made for pretty easy travel except on steeper traverses where you really had to watch the downhill ski to keep from breaking out of the track.
John breaks trail
John breaks trail
Paul climbing the upper mt.
Paul climbing the upper mt.
nearing the summit
nearing the summit
He set a good pace with hardly a pause to gulp some water so we made the sunny calm summit in about 4.5 hours where we enjoyed birthday IPAs, sandwiches, and gorgeous views in the cold clear air.
The Crew
The Crew
South from Pilchuck
South from Pilchuck
We skied down the up route since we could see Larrison ridge was wind affected. The skiing was variable with crusty or icy patches in open areas, mixed with pockets of a few inches of good dry powder over a firm base where the wind had deposited it.
Paul skis summit ridge
Paul skis summit ridge
major rime!
major rime!
It got better lower where the wind and sun hadn't hit as hard, then the road was a blast as we flew down, even managing some wiggle turns to the side of the track in the hoar frost! Happy birthday Mr. Pilchuck! Here's to many more great ski tours on our favorite little backyard mountain.
Rimed Trees
Rimed Trees

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RichP
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RichP
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 10:22 am 
Spectacular, Jim. Great way for for your friend to celebrate his b-day.

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Jim Dockery
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Location: Lake Stevens
Jim Dockery
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 10:38 am 
The road and parking at the Heather Lk trailhead is nicely plowed.

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ShailCaesar!
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Location: Westbank
ShailCaesar!
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 11:26 am 
It was my Birthday as well! I climbed Zoa Peak solo with nobody else there. Sweet. Congrats on the birthday tour!

Be The Rain
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olderthanIusedtobe
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olderthanIusedtobe
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 11:28 am 
What a beautiful winter wonderland. That's some serious rime ice plastered to trees and rocks. Has kind of a Dr. Seuss quality to the landscape.

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gneiss
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gneiss
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 3:47 pm 
Great shots! My friend was up there that day as well, I love it up there this time of year!

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Michael Lewis
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Joined: 27 Apr 2009
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Michael Lewis
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 4:31 pm 
This is the stuff I want to get into. Love those plastered trees too

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mike
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mike
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 6:23 pm 
Jim Dockery wrote:
Here's to many more great ski tours on our favorite little backyard mountain.
I liked it back when you could drive up and take the lift wink.gif At 66 you guys can probably remember it too.

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Kenji
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Kenji
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PostFri Jan 06, 2017 9:58 pm 
Nice trip, Jim. Glad you are getting out. I'm soon off to Fairy Meadows, hoping for deep powder (at least, skiable snow) wink.gif

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puzzlr
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Joined: 13 Feb 2007
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puzzlr
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PostSat Jan 07, 2017 12:21 am 
Really amazing sights. It's hard to believe trees can survive heavy snow loads like that.

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Distel32
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Distel32
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PostSun Jan 08, 2017 1:14 pm 
up.gif

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bgs8379
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PostThu Jan 12, 2017 7:47 am 
Anybody remember , Nalleys Potatoe Chip Free Tuesday Nites ?

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mbravenboer
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mbravenboer
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PostThu Jan 12, 2017 10:27 pm 
up.gif Love the photos. Also haven't seen much from Pilchuck this winter, so that's a nice update!

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tmatlack
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PostThu Oct 04, 2018 3:33 am 
10/3/18 1st snow Lower road badly potholed, even Dockery couldn't find a line through it. 1 car in lot, snow and rock rime start on northside catwalks. Trail in good shape and lookout shutters open. Best visibility in many years...Binocular view into Mt. St. Helens crater. N. Cascades glorious in new snow. Tom

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