i am ashamed to say this was my first ever trip up mt pilchuck!
met up with this rad new friend JJ, a fellow PNW hiker babe!! we set out at 5am to conquer Gothic basin. there was a nasty storm the night before and due to many trees and fallen powerless blocking the road we had to turn back.
stoked that we would make it up for Pilchuck for sunrise we plowed up the mountain by only the light of headlamps. a whole new perspective to me. thankfully JJ is very familiar with the trail because the darkness can be deceiving.
5.4 miles with 2300 ft elevation gain it is a steep quick gain up the mountain.
we made it in great time through the two major boulder fields and ultimately reaching the top around 7 am as the sky got light. thick fog socked in and crushed all hopes of views promised. the final rock scramble up to the lookout was intense to say the least.. the rocks were coated with a half inch layer of ice and nothing much to grip on to. we crawled and yoga stretched and strained our way carefully up and over each. the ladder to the look out had a thick sheath of ice coated over each metal rung. once getting up and into the lookout we were wet and cold and doubting our ability to get back down.
the wind was whipping from up at the lookout. i had stupidly only worn leggings and forgot my snow pants in the car. my leggings were wet from climbing over the icy rocks and freezing from the upper winds! we camped out inside for a long time sipping hot chocolate and huddling under my sleeping bag to warm up.
JJ had a stylish poncho that she wrapped me in to give some sort of barrier to the icy rocks on the way down.
while sitting inside it began to snow! though no view was available it was a beautiful site all around. we took a ton of pictures (mainly JJ and all her fancy equipment) and then began the descent. a fresh dusting of snow made a tremendous difference in traction getting down. also tested out my new micro spikes!
really looking forward to doing this hike many more times. on a clear day. in different seasons to fully experience her beauty!
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