Mount Pilchuck Trail vs Palmetto Trail: Capital City Passage
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| Mount Pilchuck Trail | Palmetto Trail: Capital City Passage | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 2.6 mi4 km | 10.0 mi17 km |
| Elevation gain | 2,100 ft640 m | 545 ft166 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 1 day |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | Local | Regional |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Best time to hike | Best from July to July | Best months: February, October, November |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Mount Pilchuck Trail vs Palmetto Trail: Capital City Passage: which should you hike?
At 10.0 mi17 km, Palmetto Trail: Capital City Passage is the longer route — roughly 7.7 mi12 km more than Mount Pilchuck Trail (2.6 mi4 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Mount Pilchuck Trail is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.