The road to Mount Pilchuck isn’t an easy one
Usa, north-america
11.1 km
964 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about getting to the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead! It's in Snohomish County, Washington, nestled right on the edge of the North Cascades, inside Mount Pilchuck State Park, and part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The road to the trailhead (Forest Road 42, also known as Mount Pilchuck Access Road) is about 6.9 miles long and takes you up to an elevation of 3,162 feet. The first 4.7 miles are *rough* gravel. Think patience and slow speeds are your friends here. The good news? The final 1.9 miles are paved!
Fair warning: this gravel road is challenging. We're talking deep potholes that seem impossible to dodge. Most cars *can* make it, but seriously, a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet to navigate those craters.
It's a steep climb! You'll gain 2,140 feet over those 6.9 miles from the Mountain Loop Highway. That's an average gradient of almost 6%. Your reward? A massive parking lot (room for about 200 cars!), a pit toilet, and the gateway to the Mount Pilchuck Trail. Happy hiking!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 11.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 964 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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