From I-5, take exit 208 getting on Highway 530. Drive 32 miles passing through Arlington and finally reaching Darrington. In town, turn right and follow the Mountain Loop Highway south for about 13 miles. Look for sign "Mt. Pugh Trail" and turn left on road #2095. Continue for 1.5 mile to the trailhead.

Distance: 5 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 5,300 feet
Summit Elevation: 7,201 feet
Access: Good Gravel

Route

A great trail to a mountain top that will make you think you needed your climbing gear. Pugh looks very impressive from a distance. The summit once had a fire lookout so considerable effort was made building a decent trail to this difficult summit.

Trail starts out in forest reaching Metan Lake in 1.5 miles. After more switchbacks, at 2 miles, things open a bit for the climb up to Stujack Pass. From the pass, the trail becomes more exposed. Parts of the route were blasted into the rock, so if you have height issues, you might reconsider this one. Good conditions and late season with no snow might be a good idea if this kind of hike will be new for you.

Access

Mtn. Loop Highway

Home

Glacier Peak

Popular summit rock for photos

White Chuck Mountain

Dozer on the trail

Lake Metan

Forests along the trail

The summit from near Stujack Pass

Dozer waiting for us

Smoke from a forest fire

Route from Stujack Pass in Spring

Route up chute to Stujack Pass in the spring

During a spring attempt

Summit nap

Lookout History

HERE

Wolf attack

Break