These two mountains are both accessible by trail and are the two most climbed mountains on Mountain Loop Highway.

Pilchuck is the most prominent mountain in the area, although not the highest. It is not only visible from both of the main routes into town from Marysville or Lake Stevens, but dominates the skyline and appears to be the only mountain around. It formerly housed a ski resort. The trail begins at about 3,300 feet and ends at a lookout at about 5,300 feet. We did not attempt to do Pilchuck until near the end of our stay in Granite Falls due to the amount of snow left on the mountain. Unfortunately, we chose a very cloudy day to go and ultimately decided not to summit after talking to a number of disappointed hikers on their way down.

Here is a view of the summit.

And another.

Mount Dickerman is actually higher than Pilchuck at around 5700 feet. I reached the summit several weeks before we tried Pilchuck. It was one of the hardest day hikes that I have done, gaining about 4000 feet in about 4 miles. Approximately the first 2 miles are just switchbacks through a forest, one after the other. But after that, it is just one viewpoint after another. This shot is actually a rock outcropping that provides the one break from the tedious switchbacks.

This is a really beautiful spot in the meadows about a mile below the summit.

This is a shot from the summit. I believe that I was facing north because I remember wondering if the mountain in the background is Mt. Baker.

And I believe this is West with the Stillaguamish to the left.