AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Hanson Lake via Pilchuck River Trail

12.3 mi · ▲ 2,261 ft · 5 hr 14 min

Hanson Lake via Pilchuck River Trail is a 12.3-mile out-and-back near Pilchuck, WA. The route reaches Hanson Lake at the turnaround, 6.2 miles in. It climbs 2,261 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade. It scores 91/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi509 – 1,663 ft · steepest grade: 28%12.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 48.03462, -121.91473
Nearest town Pilchuck, WA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Hanson Lake via Pilchuck River Trail

12.3 mi · ▲ 2,261 ft · 5 hr 14 min

Elevation 510–1,664 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 48.03462, -121.91473

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:45 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 1.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  3. 0.5 miTurn left onto Pilchuck River Trail, heading E.
  4. 3.5 miTurn right, heading E.
  5. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  6. 0.6 miBear right, heading NE.
  7. 0.3 miReach Hanson Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  9. 0.6 miTurn right, heading S.
  10. 350 ftTurn left, heading W.
  11. 3.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  12. 0.5 miTurn left, heading NW.
  13. 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/pilchuck-river-trail-out-back-21-km-9e44

Trail surface

19% dirt5% gravel76% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:31 AMSunset 7:45 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 7:10 PM for the 7:45 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:10 PM — 7 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Hikes near Pilchuck, Washington