Noble Knob

Hike of the Week:

July 14, 2008

Sunrise on Noble Knob. Photo by Trip Report poster 'Log Hopper.'

Location: Near Mt. Rainier National Park
Distance: 7 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 500 ft gain to 6000 ft
Map: Green Trails No. 271 Bumping Lake

Why Go?

High alpine meadows, great views of Mt. Rainier and a snow-free gentle ascent make this an excellent hike to take out-of-town visitors and children. If you go early you might even catch a glimpse of the local elk herd before a stream of hikers frighten them away.

This hike is not a secret, but it is a gem! And in a year when snow is socking in everything from Mt. Rainier National Park and south, it is a chance to get up high without worrying about post-holing.

The Noble Knob trail is great fun from the beginning, quickly entering into vast fields of wildflowers which should be at their peak in the next few weeks. At various points during the hike you will reach trail junctions, but if you stay on the main trail you will reach the Knob. You should bring a guidebook or a map, just to be sure however.

Viewpoints all along the way will keep everyone happy and hiking all the way to the summit. An old fire lookout once stood here, but now all that remains is a great place to have lunch, soak in the vista and reluctantly return the way you came.

More Information

Click here for a trip report to Noble Knob from July 15, 2008.

Guidebooks: Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region by Dan Nelson and Alan Bauer (Mountaineer Books); 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics by Ira Spring & Harvey Manning (Mountaineers Books). Check conditions with Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.  Check Trip Reports.

Driving Directions

Drive east on State Highway 410 from Enumclaw 31.6 miles to Corral Pass Road #7174. Turn left (east) on Road #7174 and follow it 6.7 miles. Please note this is a  steep, rocky, bumpy, rough road to the trailhead - 4wd recommended, go slowly. Trailhead is on left side of road just before the large developed parking area. Small parking area at trailhead can hold up to 6 vehicles. From trailhead 0.1 mile up Road #7174 are 20 parking spaces, horse ramp, hitch rack and pit toilet. Northwest Forest Pass required.