[Paul M]

My hiking plans shifted with the mountain forecast this weekend so I decided to climb something that I can see from my house today. On clear days I have a great view of Mount Rainier from my upstairs master bedroom and also my den. Pitcher Mountain is just one of the foothill peaks that also present themselves as targets to pick off in the forground….. in fact I think I’ll work on them all. Joining me on Pitcher today were Mike C and Craig W. It was also my 1000th unique “summit” logged on Peak Bagger, although I would be hard pressed to count some of these as real summits…. such is the world of list and peak bagging in the internet age. The climb was a surprisingly a good workout, despite being only 3.5 miles round trip and about 1,900 vertical feet of elevation gain. Mainly due to all of the sidehilling we had to endure in pretty steep, damp terrain. Most people seem to climb the peak in the winter/spring when there is good snow cover or in fall when the foliage is down. We actually hit the conditions OK with the slide alder and devils club just starting to leaf out. We made the final climb via the NW ridge as many before us have done. The crux gully gaining access to the summit ridge was surprisingly nondescript and we built a small cairn at the base to provide a hint for future parties. Mount Rainier was hidden from view when we arrived at the summit and a sea of clouds extended on most directions below us but we had no rain. A few pictures follow. p.s. If anyone is heading up there soon…..I inadvertently left my CAMP Corsa Ice Axe/w a blue leash at the parking spot while packing up the car this afternoon (around 3 pm). If found and so inclined pls PM me so I can meet to retrieve it sometime. Thx in advance!

Pitcher Mtn from clearing Our objective notch is center picture left of the summit

Scree field at approx 4500 ft on traverse towards notch

Rainier hiding in the clouds from the summit of Pitcher Mtn

Crux gully on and off the summit ridge

Crux gully is around this corner We made a small cairn to mark the spot

Telephoto of Rainier from my den window in Maple Valley Pitcher Mtn is center right in foreground

Rainier with Pitcher Mtn in front of Ptarmigan Ridge

Rainier with Pitcher Mtn in forground

[awilsondc]

Congrats on 1000 summits! That's a HUGE number! Well done!

[ozzy]

Nice i was up there a few years back. I checked out the old mcgilvary cabin remains and bushwhacked through the woods. I ended up coming up the SW side and gaining the ridge. Pretty obscure peak, nice trip! Was there still a register?

[Redwic]

This peak is on the "not worth repeating" list as well as the "feel like you earned it" list. The steep forest duff, while making certain we did not reach specific elevations or locations too soon, was slow-going. It seemed like a lot of effort for so little distance and elevation, but it had good views and was not a total bushwhack. We were fortunate to get completely off of the mountain before the rain came.

Entrance to road-trail

Road-trail leading to cabin remains

Cabin / mining camp remains

Steep ascent into forest

Steep forest duff hike

Entering large talus slope

Looking back at large talus slope

Rounding cliff to west slopes

Large Shelf Fungus near "Pancake Stack" of fungi

Snow ascent

Marking entrance to crux scramble

Steep forest above crux

Looking up at the summit

Pitchar summit group photo

[RichP]

Nice to be able to study your objectives from the comfort of your home.