Once upon a time, the easiest access to Gobblers Knob was via the Westside Road in Mount Rainier National Park. Unfortunately, that road washed out so frequently that it was permanently closed to public traffic a few years ago, though the Park Service did provide shuttle bus service for a time. Following the massive damage done by the winter 2006 floods, though, the road likely will remain closed to all vehicle traffic in the future. So we come into the old lookout side atop Gobblers Knob from the west.


Head up the steep trail to Lake Christine. The trail rolls through old forest and occasional meadows before reaching the junction with the trail to Mount Beljica at 1.5 miles. At this junction, stay right to follow the ridge north of Beljica. The trail hugs the west side of the ridge, staying mostly flat as it ambles north through open forests and meadows. At a little over 2 miles, reach a junction with a trail to the left into Beljica Meadows; continue straight ahead to reach Goat Lake at 4 miles from the trailhead.

Nice campsites are available at Goat Lake, which sits just outside the national park boundary. Our route curves around the north shore of Goat Lake and, in about 0.75 mile, reaches another junction, with a faint spur trail on the left. Take this spur and climb the 0.25 mile to the summit of Gobblers Knob (5485 feet). Outstanding views are found atop this remote Rainier peak. Look south along the length of Mount Wow and northeast to Mount Rainier itself.

Enjoy your time at the top before returning the way you came.