Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mt. Pilchuck 1.31.2010
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Opus
Wannabe



Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 3700 | TRs | Pics
Location: The big rock candy mountain
Opus
Wannabe
PostMon Feb 01, 2010 12:03 pm 
Who would have thought the road to Mt Pilchuck would be open, let alone snow free, at the end of January? We were surprised to drive all the way to the trailhead with only a couple snowy chunks along the side of the road. We left the trailhead under a steady drizzle, again with no snow to be seen. There was actually more snow here back in early November, our last visit! We only began to hit snow beyond the rocky switchback where the trail emerges towards the old ski slopes. Here it was only a few inches though. We finally began to see real snow once we reached the open slopes. It wasn't that deep though and some rocks, as well as the old ski tower base, were still visible. We played leap-frog with a group of four, finally passing them near the ridge as they took a wrong turn. Another hiker using an umbrella passed us here. We made short work of the final trip to the tower. The track this time led to the opposite side of the tower, bypassing the ladder. The rocks were well covered with snow but slippery. Sadly it was still more rain than snow, way up at 5300 ft! This time the lookout was not encased in ice and another hiker had been able to open the door. We propped up one shutter with our trekking poles for some light and slipped inside to dry off our soaking gear and have a nice lunch. Winds were very calm for once. We stayed about 20 minutes before the dampness led to cold, descending the way we came. The snow level had dropped a few hundred feet but it was still mostly rain. We managed a few nice but short glissades. The upper snowy layer would slough off after the first slide, resulting in a faster run for the second person. At one point Beth took a slide off the top of a large rock slab, catching some air, before crashing down into the snow. Thankfully it was a soft landing! We made it the rest of the way down soggy and cold but without incident and detoured to Neopolis in Lake Stevens for pizza. Highly recommended! They also give a 10% discount if you pay in cash. Snowshoes and ice axes carried but not used. Traction devices would be useful since the packed trail is slippery.
This lot should be snowed in (3000 ft)
This lot should be snowed in (3000 ft)
Downed tree
Downed tree
Snowy slopes
Snowy slopes
Tower sighted
Tower sighted
Drying wet gear
Drying wet gear
Outside the shutters
Outside the shutters
Snow
Snow
Glissade
Glissade

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Schroder
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Joined: 26 Oct 2007
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Schroder
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PostMon Feb 01, 2010 12:09 pm 
That looks pretty sloppy!

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seattlehikertoo
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seattlehikertoo
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PostMon Feb 01, 2010 1:12 pm 
Can't believe that parking lot being devoid of snow...

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11th Essential
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Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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Location: Shoreline, WA
11th Essential
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PostTue Feb 02, 2010 9:24 am 
seattlehikertoo wrote:
Can't believe that parking lot being devoid of snow...
ditto.gif It is amazing to contrast your Nov pics with these and see no snow in the parking lot. I think there is moisture dripping off my computer monitor after reading your trip report.... winksmile.gif

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seattlehikertoo
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seattlehikertoo
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PostTue Feb 02, 2010 9:53 am 
Pretty amazing difference. I went to the summit of Tiger yesterday and no snow, of course. Last year and the year before, there was 3 feet.

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TrailPair
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PostTue Feb 02, 2010 12:19 pm 
The dampness can take away some of the fun of getting out.....but it is still waaaaay better than being at work! hockeygrin.gif I hope the boss isn't looking over my shoulder as I write this response paranoid.gif

This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Snowdog
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Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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PostTue Feb 02, 2010 1:52 pm 
I think I'm glad I didn't join you...

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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Opus
Wannabe



Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 3700 | TRs | Pics
Location: The big rock candy mountain
Opus
Wannabe
PostTue Feb 02, 2010 3:49 pm 
It was a fun trip despite the sloppy conditions!

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