Forum Index > Trail Talk > Pilchuck Shuttle Question
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Spotly
Member
Member


Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 3723 | TRs | Pics
Location: Spokane Valley
Spotly
Member
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 10:50 am 
I'm totally unfamiliar with the roads in this area so was hoping for some informed advice. Would it be a relatively easy bike ride from the Pilchuck TH to the Pinnacle Lake TH? Would we miss out on some good hiking on the Pilchuck trail if we just did the Pinnacle to Pilchuck hike then returned via the same route? Are there any existing and "sportier" scrambles up Pilchuck that might be worth checking into? Thanks.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Riverside Laker
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Jan 2004
Posts: 2818 | TRs | Pics
Riverside Laker
Member
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 11:20 am 
Try the south side. Look on the level 4 maps on Topo and you'll see an old trail. good luck finding it.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
polecatjoe
Silent but deadly



Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1725 | TRs | Pics
Location: The Forests of Lynnwood
polecatjoe
Silent but deadly
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 11:35 am 
It would be a long (15 miles?), hard ride in either direction.

"If we didn't live venturously, plucking the wild goat by the beard, and trembling over precipices, we should never be depressed, I've no doubt; but already should be faded, fatalistic and aged." - Virginia Woolf
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
captain jack
Serving suggestion



Joined: 25 May 2004
Posts: 3389 | TRs | Pics
Location: Upper Fidalgo
captain jack
Serving suggestion
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 7:59 pm 
Babyface wrote:
Try the south side. Look on the level 4 maps on Topo and you'll see an old trail. good luck finding it.
That trail is not "sportier" than the ridge route. Sporty would be leaving the ridge route after the Heather overlook and scrambling the north ridge below the lookout, then descending Hawthone creek to the bikes, which would be left on the old spur road #4250. Any bike ride between the two points would have to include a stint on Mountian Loop highway, around all those blind curves near the Lake 22 trailhead, with the uninsured, 71 Chev pickup drivin'meth freaks and the geriatric RV drivers all swingin out to annihilate you in the blink of an eye. The are no bike lanes or even shoulders in some sections. "Whoopsee Martha, I think we bumped a squirrel" The hike would be a cakewalk compared to that nightmare.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Tom
Admin



Joined: 15 Dec 2001
Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
Tom
Admin
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 8:12 pm 
If shuttling a car yourself isn't an option, your best choice might be to go in via Pinnacle and if you run into a party of two or more on the trail ask them if they'll drive your car to the other trailhead on their way out. If not, you might find someone at the lookout willing to drive you back to your car. Worst case, if you don't run into anyone just come out the way you came in.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Spotly
Member
Member


Joined: 06 Jan 2004
Posts: 3723 | TRs | Pics
Location: Spokane Valley
Spotly
Member
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 10:29 pm 
Great advice. Thanks all. I'm guessing we'd drive right by the Pichuck TH to get to the Pinnacle Lake TH then?

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Tom
Admin



Joined: 15 Dec 2001
Posts: 17835 | TRs | Pics
Tom
Admin
PostThu Sep 27, 2007 10:42 pm 
Not right by the TH, but yes, you drive the Mountain Loop from Granite Falls to get to both trailheads. You leave the Mountain Loop to get to Pilchuck before Pinnacle, so I'd think it would be more convenient for someone to drive your car to Pilchuck on their way out than vice-versa.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trail Talk > Pilchuck Shuttle Question
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum