Hiked this trail for the first time last Monday with my wife, son and daughter-in-law. It was amazing. And although the parking lots for Cascade (across the way) were full, we did not see a soul on the trail until the very end at Balanced Rocks (a destination in its own right).
This trail is book-ended by two wonderful stopping points – the east peak (best, most expansive view) and Balanced Rocks (a very cool place at the west end of the trail well below the west peak). You can do the trail from either end – shuttle required. The ascents/descents to both the east peak and the west peak (the true peak, has a large boulder but no view) are steep and a bit rough. Ascent from west trailhead (opposite Cascade trailhead) to west peak is 1300 feet; ascent from east trailhead to east peak is 1400 feet.
Between the two peaks you get a wonderful roller coaster ride up and down the ridge. Many wonderful views, but it was the trail itself that gave the most pleasure. The vertical loss/gain as you go up and down many times between the two peaks is not very great, but it still takes a long time because there are many interesting scrambles and minor obstacles as you make your way. I would describe it as a “technically challenging hike for complete amateurs”. We had a lot of fun hiking this trail. Lots of little challenges, and only one spot on the trail that scared us a little –climbing up over a big flat rock with very limited hand or foot holds.
You want to allow plenty of time for this hike. Its five miles takes a lot longer than you would expect. We actually spent nearly 8 hours on the trail! (Though we were lingering at many different points).
It was strange to find this trail empty while Cascade was jammed with hikers. I’m not knocking Cascade – it is a great hike with a wonderful peak. But it is not nearly as interesting or fun as Pitchoff. It is a mystery that Pitchoff seems to see so little use.
This trail is book-ended by two wonderful stopping points – the east peak (best, most expansive view) and Balanced Rocks (a very cool place at the west end of the trail well below the west peak). You can do the trail from either end – shuttle required. The ascents/descents to both the east peak and the west peak (the true peak, has a large boulder but no view) are steep and a bit rough. Ascent from west trailhead (opposite Cascade trailhead) to west peak is 1300 feet; ascent from east trailhead to east peak is 1400 feet.
Between the two peaks you get a wonderful roller coaster ride up and down the ridge. Many wonderful views, but it was the trail itself that gave the most pleasure. The vertical loss/gain as you go up and down many times between the two peaks is not very great, but it still takes a long time because there are many interesting scrambles and minor obstacles as you make your way. I would describe it as a “technically challenging hike for complete amateurs”. We had a lot of fun hiking this trail. Lots of little challenges, and only one spot on the trail that scared us a little –climbing up over a big flat rock with very limited hand or foot holds.
You want to allow plenty of time for this hike. Its five miles takes a lot longer than you would expect. We actually spent nearly 8 hours on the trail! (Though we were lingering at many different points).
It was strange to find this trail empty while Cascade was jammed with hikers. I’m not knocking Cascade – it is a great hike with a wonderful peak. But it is not nearly as interesting or fun as Pitchoff. It is a mystery that Pitchoff seems to see so little use.
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