Officials Warn of Difficult Hiking Conditions on Mt Pilchuck

EVERETT (AP) — After conducting four rescues in one week, Snohomish County officials are warning the public against hiking on Mount Pilchuck unless they are well trained for steep snow conditions.

The sheriff's office Search and Rescue Unit says the conditions are not conducive to an easy day hike.

The 2.7-mile (4.3-kilometer) hike to the top of Mount Pilchuck, a 2,300-foot (700-meter) peak east of Everett, Washington, is popular for its panoramic views.

But Sgt. Danny Kikstrom says a heavy winter snow pack and late spring melt-out on the mountain has made the trail up Mount Pilchuck slippery and hard to navigate.

He says the unit responded to four rescues in the last seven days. Two of the people rescued had serious injuries.