Pilchuck is one of my favorite short hikes, but it has been overrun by hikers the last 5 or 10 years. During the winter the road to the trailhead is closed at Heather Lake, about 6 miles short of the Pilchuck Lookout trailhead. So to hike this without a crowd, mid-week while the road is closed is the best time. I knew that the road would be mostly clear to the trailhead. Constant snow didn’t start until about 4000 feet. From there it was best to head straight up to avoid some of the steeper sections of the trail. The transition from the ridge to the peak was still rather steep and required ice axe and crampons to get through it safely. The rest of the route was pretty easy, right up the snow.