Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1390 | TRs | Pics Location: Livin' on a prayer
Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:31 pm Mount Pilchuck 11-17-07
I'm embarrassed to report that third time was a charm.
Picked up CHawk right on time @ 8:45 in Mt. Vernon and proceeded to pick up 8Buck at about 9:30 in Granite Falls and quickly set off toward Mt. Pilchuck.
We all hoped for a break in the weather, which appeared possible based on some of the weather forecasts. We figured that, at the worst, we'd encounter a little rain and a little snow on the ground.
Instead, we had almost continual precipitation from light drips to heavy drips to thick rain to light snow to heavy snow, with wind. Luckily we were all adequately prepared for the conditions and persevered all the way to the lookout.
Lots of snow on the trail once you get past little Pilchuck, and some rather icy patches under the trees on the east side. Stabilicers or Yak Trax highly recommended at this point - although it sounds like you might want snowshoes by Monday.
This was my first time to reach the lookout and was rather surprised to find it empty and devoid of furniture. I was expecting something like the Park Butte lookout, with a bed and some sort of furniture. Instead, there was a lot of visitor info on display.
Moreover, I was surprised to find the lookout closed up. Obviously it makes sense, but I had dreams of sitting inside, enjoying my lunch while taking in the views. Today's weather meant that we sat in the dark, listening to the wind, dusting snow off our packs and dreaming of views. At least we were able to get into the lookout.
Our our ascent we crossed paths with five others on their descent, and we passed another couple on their ascent just minutes before the lookout.
While the day didn't come close to what we were hoping for, it was a good, long awaited, fabulous day on the trail.
I took a few pictures, but not the usual quantity due to the excessively wet conditions.
Glad I can finally call this one 'done', even though I'll have to go back in the summer on a nice day along with many, many others.
In case you missed the first two anti-climactic episodes:
Part 1 Part 2
~E
-------------- Sedro-Woolley: Where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
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Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1390 | TRs | Pics Location: Livin' on a prayer
Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:39 pm
Forgot the 'thick rain' photo.
-------------- Sedro-Woolley: Where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage.
"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden
My Trip List
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 370 | TRs | Pics Location: playing in the snow
Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:24 pm
For some of us it is not a choice. It would be nice to think we just like getting out in the mountains but even my kids notice how grumpy I get when I have not been out in a few weeks! Not that some of us are addicted or anything
Wow, that's some thick rain, alright. I agree with Magellan about that photo of the lookout with A Hiker ascending. Awesome pic.
I love it when folks get out in this kind of weather. It's pretty funny.
That is a great picture - has there been a "can't believe I'm hiking in this weather" topic before? Could post this as one of the pictures, showcasing what dedicated (stubborn?) hikers can do!
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 1423 | TRs | Pics Location: Never want to spend another weekend day home again!!!!!
Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:23 pm
Wow,
Almost the same conditions as my September 29th adventure up the mountain (hard rain until 4500 feet that hard snow). Obviously though you had a lot more snow!
-------------- I am addicted to summits! I can't eat, drink or breath without them. Life without mountains would really suck.
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