I set out leading a group of 7 with a goal of Gobbler's Knob via Lake Catherine, to Puyallup Trail via Goat Lake to ridge between Gobbler's Knob and Mt. Wow, and then up to the lookout. This route is described in Washington Hiking by Scott Leonard, Foghorn Outdoor's series. The roads upon leaving highway 706 are poorly marked and rough. FS Road 59 is only marked on a small stake visible after turning onto the road. No sign on the highway. The road is a couple hundred yards toward Elbe from the Copper Creek Cafe. At 4.5 mis as described road 5920 takes off from the right, about a 110 degree turn. There is no sign, but a small post invisible from FS 59 confirms it is FS 5929. Still rough, but narrower, with bushes nearly touching both sides of vehicle in places. There is a turnaround at the end and a trail sign, register box. We left the car at 10:30. Trail is good, easily followed, no obstructions to Lake Catherine and .5 mi beyond where an unmarked T occurs. Both choices are visibly travelled and maintained, but no signs. A 2003 Nat Geographic series topo of Mt Rainier NP including detail of this area just west of the park does not show the more heavily used left branch. We followed the left fork for about 10 min because of its larger tread, but it was heading up a ridge toward a promontory, while the correct trail was supposed to cross a saddle and descend. We retreated to the right branch and it was correct. A while later we came to the junction with the Puyallup Trail which was the source of most of the people we later encountered. A further ascent and descent brought us to Goat Lake. The guide said this was 2.3 mis from the car. We were at 2.3 hours, and while not setting speed records, were not averaging 1 mph either. The guide promised another .9 mis to the ridge and the topo showed over 1000' of elevation. By the time we finished lunch, it was 1:15pm, so we turned back, disappointed, but not wanting to have an 8-9pm finish in Seattle. One of the party had a pedometer, and measured 3.9 mis out from Goat Lake to the road. Because of the up and down rolling terrain, we took almost as long to get out as to come in. Next time I may try the Puyallup Trailhead instead.

In spite of the heavy clouds we encountered on the way east, the mountain finally broke out before we got to Ashford. After picking up our permit at the WIC, we headed back to the trailhead and started up the road at about 12:30. Fortunately, there is occasional shade along the way or we might have melted. The stretch where Tahoma Creek has washed out the road is amazing. I can see why the park has decided to abandon maintaining it for visitors. We fairly quickly made it up to Round Pass. Having forgotten our map in the car (We're taking a road and one trail. What could go wrong?) and not seeing a trail sign on the west side of the road, we pushed on down the north side of the pass. We did see a trail sign on the east side of the road, but nothing denoting which trail or where it lead to. We thought we'd gone too far, but we didn't want to turn around before we'd arrived and it seems to be our habit to initially go past a place we are trying to find for the first time. After crossing the S. Puyallup, we came across a park vehicle heading back out and asked we'd gone too far. It really wasn't the answer we wanted, but back up to the pass we began trudging. After a few minutes, we came across another couple, kitted for a day hike, who also had missed the Lake George trailhead. Okay, it wasn't just us. When we finally got to the top of the pass, we found the trail, hidden from the road by a group of tents put up by an SCA crew. When we'd hit the pass the first time, we hesitated, but not being the sort of folks who just tromp through another's camp site, we didn't go looking. There also wasn't a sign on the road indicating a trailhead. We assumed that this wasn't the trailhead, thinking that you don't pitch a tent in front of a trail entrance. And as they say about people who assume... Oh, and the sign on the opposite side of the road? Hitting the pass from the north, we could just make out in the grass a sign for trail distances. If the park is going to put signs at near ground level, they should remember to frequently brush around them. So up we go toward Lake George. Nothing makes you appreciate a well built trail the way working on a crew does (and if you haven't volunteed for a WTA crew, you should). This is a nicely built trail in good shape. It could use a little brushing in places, but overall is in very good shape. A few short sections of roots and rocks, but nothing bad. The closer we get to LG, the more we encounter the flying vampires. Because of our extra mileage, it's now late in the afternoon and they are coming out in force. No gang biting yet, but almost. Upon arriving at the lake, we discovered the campsites (all five of them) empty. We had the place to ourselves. Oh the joy of being able to go on a weekday. Now if only I could go in September or October. After picking a site and setting up camp, we walked around a bit. There's a good shelter with lots of room, facing the lake. The pit toilets didn't smell like I feared they might, given the temperatures, but they are a bit cramped inside. The lake had your typical clouds of vampires. Now we head up to the final objective of the day, Gobblers Knob. The trail gradually narrows and becomes rocky. Between LG and the trail junction for GK and the park boundary, there are patches of snow and soggy ground. More vampires! The patches of snow are small and you can always see the trail on the other side. There are a couple of small blowdowns in this section, one that you can easily step over and another that you have to go under. After the trail junction, there is one more tree down across a switchback, so you have to go under it twice. The view from the lookout is amazing. After eating our dinner, we hung out for about an hour, just enjoying the views. Rainier commands most of our attention, but I can't help wondering what it would have been like to be in the lookout on the morning St. Helens erupted with the blast roughly headed towards you? Probably would have soiled myself, I'm afraid to say. Time to head back down the trail and to the tent before dark. In spite of the heat, detour and the growing number of welts, it's been a good day. We've seen the power of a flooding creek, uncountable avalanche lillies with the occasional paintbrush, and those glorious views of my favorite mountain. The next morning we are up early and heading back to the car. Before leaving for home we wanted to spend some time at (in?) Paradise. This day the mountain was socked in, but the change in temperature was refreshing and it kept our focus on the flora around us. It's either a late bloom or we missed the peak because there wasn't nearly as much color as I had expected. Got some good shots of a hummingbird feeding on the paintbrush. After lunch at the Inn, it was time to head home. I'd like to get back up and try this hike again later in the year when the weather is cooler. I can't think of a better overnight trip for when you don't have a lot of time.

Hiked in from Glacier view on the hottest day of the year. Lots of bugs so bring the juice! Trail is in great shape with a few logs to over/under after leaving Goat Lake. Trail is (as always) a bit over grown up to Gobblers Knob but the views never fail to impress.

12.5 miles round trip, 2700 gain. 6 hours. A few friends walked out the Westside road with me for a brisk fall hike to the old lookout on Gobblers Knob. As we started out shreds of mist were blowing through the trees though patches of blue sky were showing. It looked very iffy for views of Mt. Rainier. I had not been out the Westside Road since last years' storms. Things have really changed starting about a mile out. Where the road used to ford Tahoma Creek is a completely different landscape. What used to be the road is now the river. Boulders and bent culverts line the stream bed along with soft glacial silt pocked with boot marks, bike prints, and blue-flagged survey lath leading up the raw river cut. Trail crews outlined a temporary trail along the river bottom. It is so raw and so different I had to pull out my map to make sure we were in the right place. The temporary trail alternates between the stream and the forest for another mile until the road begins to climb out of the tahoma creek valley. The road wanders pleasantly pas old rock walls, tourist view points, and picnic areas. The forest is slowly taking over in a gentle planet-of-the-apes sort of way. Occasional glimpses of Rainier from the old view points were tantalizinf. But clouds still shrouded most of the peak. We arrived at Round Pass after 3.2 miles and found the Lake George trail. This trail is in great shape, like any well maintained, often visited park trail. Ironic since it's so far from cars! The trail switch backs up a hill and over a small forested ridge to Lake George about 1.5 miles from Round Pass. There was sun and nice blue-green water rippled by a cool fall breeze. we enjoyed the lake for a bit and headed up the trail. Soon we met a hiker coming down who said he saw a mother bear and cub on the trail about ten minutes up. We continued up, making plenty of noise to alert the bears. We never saw them nor signs of prints or scat. The trail got steeper and views began to show through the trees. Above 4300 feet we found patchy snow and a frozen tarn. The trail came to a junction signed left to Goat Lake 1.1 mi. and right Gobblers Knob .2 miles. Soon we were at the base of the rock out crop. The trail got rougher and narrow. We could see the lookout building from the switch backs. We round the west side of the knob with a view of Beljica, Glacier View, and Goat Lake. A few more steps and we were on the ridge with a great view of Mt. Rainer, Puyallup Cleaver, Tahoma Glacier and Pyramid Peak. We ate and stared as the wind stretched a cloud cap over the summit. Clouds blowing from Beljica blocked the sun and cooled our perch on the ridge. The chill inspired us to hoist our packs and head back. In just a few minutes fog blocked the views. We took another break at Lake George but the breeze was colder. So we hurried down. We were back to the cars by 4.

My first time to the Westside road. I was the first one to park at where the road ends. Followed the well marked trail with blue markers through the river beds and washed away road. I almost made it to round pass. I just bought new boots and had two blisters after 3 miles so I headed back down. Total bummer, but I will be back and get to the Knob next time. It wasn't a clear day anyway. I saw only 2 others heading up on my way down. I did get some great shots of a frog on the way out. So it wasn't a total loss. I was really shocked at all the damage in this area and hoping one day we can drive up a bit further.