Lake Blanca, 08/26/2010

Location: Lake Blanca, Mt. Baker Natl. Forest, WA
Specific Location: Approx. 55 miles East of Everett, WA on Hwy. 2.
Total Trip: 7.5-8.0 miles, depending if you can get down the the second lake
Amenities: Low/None
Peak Elevation: Approx. 4600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate/Advanced (Weather dependent)

So after a waaaarm shower, I have completed my journey up Mt. Wet to Lake Blanca :)
First off, let me warn you that this is a drive... I mean, I seriously underestimated how far this was out into the park (90 miles from my house one way), so be ready to leave early. Also, the last 15 miles of the drive out to the trail is gravel, and the last mile of that is gravel that may or may not have used to be a mortar field, so bring an all terrain vehicle or tread lightly.

Once I managed to get out to the trail, I was glad I brought my Coldgear. This late in August is around the time that most of the Mt Baker trails start to get soggy, and with sogginess be prepared to get cold and wet. Then again, this is Washington... you should already be used to it! I also have to mention that, in contrast to the previous trail, there is nowhere to pay for parking at this site... go online before your trip and either purchase a single day forest pass, or get a seasonal pass if you plan to trek more than one trail in a Washington State National Park.

The trail begins with a registration box (basic hiking safety... put your name, time started, time expected to finish, and zip code minimum! I also put my blood type, but I'm exceptionally paranoid). After that, you proceed into the forest itself.

The first three miles of this hike are by far the greatest challenge of the entire thing. If you can get through this, you will have no problem with anything ahead of you. However, the first three miles is pretty much a steady 30-50 degree incline the entire way up. The trail is well maintained and defined, but littered with roots, so watch your feet (they get particularly slick when wet). A helpful tip is to spend this time enjoying the nature around you... there isn't much of the rest of the park available for viewing until you get to the top of the mountain. However, there are some neat old-growth trees and some unusual growth patterns in the newer trees, so if you are a nature buff you will enjoy it.

After what seems like the 5000th bend in the trail, you will see a large clearing to the west giving you a pretty good view of the forest. Unfortunately, by the time I reached this point it was fairly foggy out there, but if you get there earlier than I did you will likely get some good shots.

At mile 3 you will run into a clearing. There are several meadows at the top of this hill that have a lot of different growth in them, and one spot in particular has been cleared out for camping purposes. It appears big enough for at least two or three tents, so if you want a good staging point without having to camp before the hard climb up, this is your best bet.

As you proceed about another 500 meters forward you will come to the first small lake along this path. This was the only lake I was able to view in my hike due to some NASTY trail conditions ahead (I'll explain in a bit), but it was still very interesting. It appears there might be a few small fish in this lake, but certainly nothing you wouldn't throw back anyway.

As I previously mentioned, I was unable to make it down to the main lake. This was a decision I made primarily because I was alone. The trail leading down to this lake is only about a half mile, but you will cover a 600 foot vertical decline in this time, making this trail exceptionally steep. In addition to this, the trail is poorly defined and very slick when wet, which means that if you did not come with proper gear you are risking your safety even attempting it under less than excellent conditions. I had the proper gear with me to safely navigate the trail but chose not to because a) it was getting dark and b) there was nobody else on the mountain. Overall, this trail is a buddy system one... I wouldn't consider it difficult, but the company would just give one peace of mind.

The climb back down the mountain is really easy, but the wet weather made the need to be meticulous about where I stepped even more apparent. As always have a flashlight or three on you... had I made the descent even 15 minutes later it would have been necessary to use one, as the canopy blocks a lot of light even in the late afternoon.

Overall this was a moderate trail in terms of difficulty, but that could have been attributed to the weather. It gave me a good chance to test the limitations of my gear and made me think about investing in some thermal gear for the months ahead. If you have the time to make the drive, I would recommend this trail :)

Mt. Pilchuk, 8/24/2010

Location: Mt. Pilchuk, Mt. Loop Hwy, WA.
Specific Location: Approx. 20 miles north of Granite Falls, WA on Mt. Loop Hwy.
Total Trip: 5.7-6.0 miles, depending on how you navigate the last mile of the hike.
Amenities: Low/None
Peak Elevation: Approx. 5800 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

I began my trip to the mountain by first turning out of tiny Granite Falls N/B onto Mt. Loop Hwy. You will travel north on this road for what seems like far too long (I believe it was 12 miles from town) until you come to a silver and blue suspension bridge. The next right will very clearly direct you up to the summit of Mt. Pilchuk.

Be prepared for the 5 dollar parking fee (I brought only $20s, and had to scrounge change from the ash tray... which I'm sure the park ranger did not appreciate). Checks are also accepted. Also, make sure to pass the first parking lot you encounter (this is the parking lot for Heather Lake, and if you pay there you risk a fine if you move up the hill later). You will continue up this path for approximately 7 miles. I should also mention that the first 5 miles of this path from the highway is dirt. I was fortunate enough to arrive on the day they were steamrolling it, but keep this in mind on rainy days... potholes and mud traps may lie around every corner...

Once you get up the hill, it's time to play! Make sure to use the bathroom at the base of the trail before going up (tend to be frequent hikers as you climb up, and not much cover in the trees if you forget).

The first mile of this climb is laughable for difficulty, but great for aesthetic pleasure. The trail is well marked out, and steep portions in the first mile are often aided by wooden "steps" installed by park services. There are two to three tiny streams for photo opportunities, and a campsite at the very beginning of the trail. There are gnats and an occasional mosquito in this first mile, but I survived the round trip without a single bug bite, so take that for what it's worth when considering bug repellent.

As you approach mile two, you will notice a big white wall composed of large, jagged rocks. It is pretty interesting to look at briefly, until you realize that the path you are on continues into this wall. Mile two of this trail is, in my opinion, the most trying of the three. The path is still fairly well defined, but strewn with rocks and rock--like steps, also likely installed by park services. There is very little to no tree cover in this portion of the trail, which is actually good for scenic purposes... however, if you choose to go on a hot summer day as I did, be prepared to burn the majority of your water stores keeping up with the sweat during this mile.

Pictured: Challenge!

Mile three begins after the steepest 100 meters or so of the trail, coming to a rather even keel. The trail becomes a bit less defined in this mile, so be on the lookout for the orange flags and posted signs, especially as it gets darker. You will come to a really narrow point between two large slabs of rock, at which point you are at the 10-15minute mark from the peak of the mountain. As you reach the final 100meters of the climb, you will come to a clearing that appears to be the end of the trail. While the eastern view of the Cascades is nice, be prepared to look to the north and see yet another portion of trail in front of you! Don't worry, however, as the trail continues around one turn and comes to an end. You climb to a large wooden outpost at the peak of the mountain through a series of rock walls, and rest against the walkway knowing you are standing at 5800 feet :)

To the West, you can follow the path of I-5 through Lake Stevens, Marysville, and a tiny fraction of Arlington in the distance. If you look intently to the Northwest, you are able to see a glimpse of the parking lot from whence you came, as well as Granite Falls beyond that. There aren't very many close mountains to Mt. Pilchuk, but this gives you more of a universal view of the Cascades, and allows you ample time to pick your next target waiting in the distance. The wooden outpost itself has a logbook for you to etch your name in, setting in stone your accomplishment (well, paper, but who's counting).

All in all, I made it to the peak in just a little over an hour, and made it down in about a half hour. This was a very strenuous pace, however, and should not be aimed for if you aren't in decent shape and/or have good balance. Most people I talked to on the trail said they expect about two hours up and an hour pace down, which is plenty of time to enjoy the mountain for its sights.

I would make sure to bring a good sized water bottle up with you, especially in the summer. I burned through 60 Oz. of water round trip, and definitely craved more at the bottom. It's also a good idea to bring a few snacks, or even lunch at the peak. There are several large rocks that people actually set up blankets on up top for mini-picnics (although none of said rocks were secured, so do so at your own risk), and there are benches inside the outpost to sit and rest/eat. There is a General Store at the bottom of the 7 mile ascent to the parking lot, but not many other amenities around... I wouldn't expect more than Subway in Granite Falls if you're looking to enjoy dinner nearby afterwards, to plan ahead.

Overall, not a hard or incredibly steep climb, but definitely hard on your feet. Plan to rest a day before attempting further ascents if you're not used to the type of workout mountain hiking involves. Enjoy!