Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mount Pilchuck 11-17-07
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Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostSat Nov 17, 2007 11:31 pm 
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.
Creek
Creek
Ground Clouds
Ground Clouds
Photo op by Pilchuck Snag
Photo op by Pilchuck Snag
Pilchuck Stitch 11-17-07
Pilchuck Stitch 11-17-07
Welcome to the Lookout
Welcome to the Lookout
Pilchuck Visitors
Pilchuck Visitors
Lookout Visitors
Lookout Visitors
Cap'n Crunch at Pilchuck
Cap'n Crunch at Pilchuck
Subway at Pilchuck
Subway at Pilchuck
Little Pilchuck 1
Little Pilchuck 1
Little Pilchuck 2
Little Pilchuck 2
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

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics
Location: Inexorable descent
Magellan
Brutally Handsome
PostSat Nov 17, 2007 11:34 pm 
rockband.gif
Welcome to the Lookout
Welcome to the Lookout
This is a nice capture. Looks intense!

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Elvis
Shuffl'n



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Posts: 1804 | TRs | Pics
Location: del Boca Vista
Elvis
Shuffl'n
PostSat Nov 17, 2007 11:39 pm 
Forgot the 'thick rain' photo. winksmile.gif
thick rain on pilchuck
thick rain on pilchuck

"Ill habits gather unseen degrees, as brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas." ~John Dryden My Trip List
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Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger



Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 5129 | TRs | Pics
Location: Alaska
Bryan K
Shameless Peakbagger
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 12:48 am 
Elvis wrote:
Forgot the 'thick rain' photo. winksmile.gif
thick rain on pilchuck
thick rain on pilchuck
Holy crap that's a lot of rain!!!!! eek.gif

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Quark
Niece of Alvy Moore



Joined: 15 May 2003
Posts: 14152 | TRs | Pics
Quark
Niece of Alvy Moore
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 10:59 am 
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.

"...Other than that, the post was more or less accurate." Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting
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loper
Member
Member


Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 453 | TRs | Pics
Location: seeking the sun
loper
Member
PostSun 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 rolleyes.gif

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loper
Member
Member


Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 453 | TRs | Pics
Location: seeking the sun
loper
Member
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 3:25 pm 
and ditto on the hiker ascending picture. Awesome!

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yukon222
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 1893 | TRs | Pics
yukon222
Member
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 3:30 pm 
Quark wrote:
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! up.gif

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Gabigabs
Trail Breaker



Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 841 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
Gabigabs
Trail Breaker
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 4:43 pm 
Your B&W photos are wonderful. Well done.

Life is simple... Eat, Sleep, Hike!
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks



Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 7216 | TRs | Pics
Location: Stuck in the middle
puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostSun Nov 18, 2007 9:43 pm 
Looks wet and cold, with no visiblity. Sure wish I could have gotten out this weekend!

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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking



Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics
Location: 77 miles from Seattle!
EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
PostSun 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!
Me on the Lookout Tower on Mt. Pilchuck (9/29/07)
Me on the Lookout Tower on Mt. Pilchuck (9/29/07)
It snowing in September!!!!
It snowing in September!!!!

YouTube | SummitPost Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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