Fire Lookout Hikes

The August 2008 feature story on fire lookouts in Washington Trails magazine has inspired several readers to hike to lookouts around the state. Trip reports have detailed great hikes and inspiring photos. Hikers know that a fire lookout usually means unobstructed 360 degree views from the top.

A group of hikers rests at the Desolation Peak Lookout. Photo by Sadie's Driver.

More than 100 fire lookouts still stand across Washington, and only 30 are still actively used for firefighting. Many are lovingly tended by volunteers and are still open to the public, while others have fallen into disuse.

Want to go on a fire lookout hike? Washington Trails detailed four intriguing destinations in the magazine: Kelly Butte near Mt. Rainier; Oregon Butte in the Blue Mountains of Southeast Washington; Columbia Peak in the Kettle Range area of Northeast Washington; and Desolation Peak in the North Cascades. You can read about them here.

We thought that hikers would like some more options, and we found some fantastic choices. Most should be accessible in August and September, but always check conditions first. Ranger station information here.

Day Hikes

Red Top Lookout

Shown in snowier weather, the Red Top Lookout has a stunning setting in any season. Photo by HikerJim.

Location: Cle Elum area - Teanaways
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 350 ft gain
Maps: Green Trails 209 Mt Stuart, 210 Liberty

There are few mountaintops in Washington that are accessible by such a short and easy trail. This hike was featured in our Best Hikes with Young Children feature earlier this summer, and is an excellent choice for beginning hikers too. Kids in particular will delight in actually climbing a mountain and will be encouraged along the way by the fire lookout perched on top. In mid-to-late summer, the lookout is manned and you may be allowed inside. But the views are just as good from the ground. What's more, this area is dotted with agates and you may be lucky enough to find one! At the top, there is some loose rock, so please watch young children here. For more information check WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports for Red Top Lookout.

Directions:  From I-90, take exit 85 and go north on Hwy 97 north for 18 miles. Just past the Mineral Springs Campground go north on FR 9738. In 2.6 miles, go left on FR 9702. Drive 4.5 miles to the trailhead, elevation 5000 feet. NW Forest Pass required.

High Rock

The view from inside the High Rock Lookout. Photo by John Anderson.

Location: South Cascades - Gifford Pinchot N.F.
Distance: 3.5 miles r.t.
Elevation: 1400 ft. gain to 5650 ft.
Map: Green Trails #301 Randle

The High Rock fire lookout is still staffed in the summer, which means you can usually go inside. The views of Mt. Rainier are some of the best around, and the hike up is a steady climb but not overly difficult.

For more information check out WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports for High Rock.

Directions: Directions given in most guidebooks are only suitable for high clearance vehicles, but there is an alternative route that can get the family sedan to the trailhead. Take Hwy. 7 east from Tacoma to Elbe, then turn east on to Hwy. 706 toward Ashford. Make a right turn on Kernahan Rd., then turn left onto FR 52 at 1.5 miles, and continue 3.3 miles to FR 8440, turn right and go about 9.5 miles on FR 8440 to Towhead Gap and the trailhead. Make sure you stay on FR 8440; there are a lot of forks along the way. Northwest Forest Pass required.

Heybrook Lookout

A hiker poses at the tippy top of the Heybrook Lookout. Photo by Jimbo.

Location: Central Cascades - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie N.F.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 1000 ft. gain
Map: Green Trails #142 Index

A short climb just off Hwy. 2 near Index offers splendid views of the major peaks in that area - Mt. Index and Mt. Persis are just two. With its southern exposure, this is a good choice for times when other trails are snowed in - some years you can hike up here in January! This lookout is along the same ridge (but in a different location) as the area that the town of Index is trying to protect from logging.

For more information check out WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports for Heybrook Lookout.

Driving Directions: This one is easy to get to! The trailhead can be found on the north side of the road near milepost 37 on Hwy. 2. It's just east of Index.

Granite Mountain

The rocky perch of the Granite Mountain Lookout offers fantastic views in every direction. Photo by Karen.

Location: Snoqualmie Pass Region - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie N.F.
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation: 3800 ft. gain to 5600 ft.
Map: Green Trails #207 Snoqualmie Pass

This one is a thigh burner! It's popular, but tough - a relentless climb for the entire 4 miles. Bring water, as this trail is dry. The good news is that the summit views are breath-taking and there are plenty of pretty wildflowers to keep you going forward when your head is focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

Check out WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports on Granite Mountain for more information.

Driving Directions: Take I-90 east from Seattle to Exit 47. Go north (over the highway) and take a left at the T-intersection. The trailhead is the Pratt Lake-Granite Mountain parking area. Northwest Forest Pass required.

Long Day Hikes or Backpacks

Sourdough Mountain

A tough hike to Sourdough Mountain reaps many rewards, including this fire lookout and views down into Diablo & Ross Lakes. Photo by Harney.

Location: North Cascades
Distance: 12.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 5100 ft gain to 6000 ft.
Maps: Green Trails 48 Diablo, 16 Ross Dam

This is a summit you've got to really want to get to. With more than 5000 feet elevation gain in just over six miles, you might think you're in some kind of switchback hell. However, the switchbacks do relieve some of the stress coming down. Overnighters may want to camp at Sourdough Creek, about 4.5 miles in. That's the last water on the trek. Despite the tough climb, you will be well rewarded. The alpine meadows are beautiful and the views of the North Cascades and down into the reservoirs of Ross & Diablo Lakes are well-worth the effort. You'll just wish you could stay up there forever.

For more information check out WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports for Sourdough Mountain.

Directions: Drive Hwy. 20 east to milepost 126. Turn left in the town of Diablo, and drive to the trailhead near the garages and the swimming pool (for dayhikers) or to the lot at the base of the Diablo Dam (for backpackers). A North Cascades camping permit is required if camping.

Lookout Mountain

The partially furnished Lookout Mountain cabin provides a commanding North Cascades view. Photo by Caretaker Dan.

Location: North Cascades - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie N.F.
Distance: 9.4 miles r.t.
Elevation: 4500 ft. gain to 5700 ft.
Map: Green Trails #47 Marblemount

Another tough hike with a huge payoff at the end. There are a lot of switchbacks on this hike, and unfortunately a bunch of blowdowns across the trail right now. But if you persevere, you will be well-rewarded (see photo!). At 2.5 miles, you'll arrive at a reliable water source and shortly thereafter at a trail junction. Go right to Monogram Lake (in North Cascades N.P., which requires overnight permits) or left to Lookout Mountain (in the forest). If you've hauled your gear up to the top, you might get a chance to spend the night in the tower. If not, and it's good weather, camp nearby (warning: water can be scarce). And enjoy the fabulous views!

For more information check out WTA's Hiking Guide and Trip Reports for Lookout Mountain.

Driving Directions: Take Hwy. 20 to Marblemount and turn onto the Cascade River Road (now open). Go 7 miles to the small parking area on the south side of the road. This is just inside the forest boundary.

Alpine Lookout

Photographer Alan Bauer captures a hiker resting near Alpine Lookout.

Location: Stevens Pass area - near Wenatchee Lake
Distance: 13 miles r.t.
Elevation: 3200 ft gain to 6200 ft.
Maps: Green Trails 145 Wenatchee Lake

You can actually hike to this lookout from two different directions. From FR 6910 and the Round Mountain trail, the hike to the top is about 3 miles shorter, but marred by the interference of motorcycles. The hike via Merritt Lake, described here, is  longer but provides a nice overnight opportunity at the lake.  After starting out in the trees for the first two miles, hikers will reach the Nason Ridge Trail that will take them right to Merritt Lake (3 miles). Just past the lake is another fork - go right and follow the ridge for the next 3 miles to the summit. From the top are views of Lake Wenatchee, Glacier Peak and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. If you're lucky, you might see mountain goats and ripe huckleberries. The lookout, when open, is newly refurbished.

Directions: Take Hwy. 2 to just over 11 miles east of Stevens Pass and turn north (left) onto FR 657. Take this to its road's end, about 1.5 miles.