Trail in good shape, but not as many flowers as same time last year-the drought' It was very warm even at 8:30am when I started the 1.5 mi. 1400' elev gain hike to the lookout. It's a short but steep grade to the precipitiously located lookout building. No one on duty (where's Bud Pamco'!) Tiny Cora Lake beckons 1500' below. All the major Cascade peaks stand tall: (L-R) Rainier, Adams, Hood, St. Helens. The tip-top rock surface above the lookout seems to be a favorite stomping ground of flying ants or termites,whatever- the surface is pulsating with them. The view west was awfully smoggy-ugh. Wanted to jump into Cora Lk. after the hike (off of FS Rd.84-- #8420), but when I reached the trailhead a couple of dudes with a son were starting up the trail- the kid carrying some kind of rifle & yelling ""I can't wait to shoot some birds"" (that's what he said) so I bagged that part of the day since I didn't want it spoiled by bullets whizzing by while I floated in the lake!

Up the hill! Trail is in very good condition, the view from the top was astounding in the clear conditions, the huckleberries are ripe, some lonely flowers remain, and sunset was beautiful on the way down.

This lookout description intrigued me and despite misgivings about the popularity of the place, i.e., teeming hordes of visitors, I planned on camping nearby the night before (Fri.)and then get an early start to beat the crowds. ""Early"" meant leaving the trailhead at 7:30am, beginning a 1.6 mile, 1400' elev. gain to the 5658' summit. The trail begins in flowers & the show continues all the way up, lots of tiger lilies, lupine, beargrass, some paintbrush, white daisies, and much more. It's a steady climb up through forest until near one of the final switchbacks you see the lookout building looming above you. Then you shortly break out of the woods onto solid rock slab, scrambling up the final hundred feet or so (there is a steel cable available for grasping if needed) to the very exposed lookout. Sheer drop-offs of 1500' on three sides, charming Cora Lake resides below you to the SE, and oh by the way, stupendous vistas! Rainier looms closely by to the NE, Adams to the SE, Hood to the south (looking from that angle like the summit pyramid of Everest) and St. Helens to the SW, you look right into the crater & lava dome. On a real clear day the Olympics can be seen as well. One of the real highlights of visiting the lookout is being greeted by local legend Bud Pamco, who has manned it for 14 summers in a row, spending up to two weeks at a time each season. A nicer fellow couldn't be found, he's a fount of info and stories about the area. He'll be the first to tell you that he is spoiled rotten by the kind hearts of (sometimes) total strangers bringing him up candy, water, snacks, beer (always drunk off duty!). I was lucky to have been the first one up that day, and had the honor of lead entry in that day's logbook. Turned out I had such a good time visiting and enjoying the magnificent view that I ended up being the last one down that evening, after having visited Cora Lake below during the middle part of the day (see additional report)then returning for the sunset. This is a must-do hike, you won't be disappointed! Directions: Take State Route 706 east toward the Nisqually (Paradise) Park entrance, about 2 miles past Ashford turn right at Rd. No. 52 sign, proceed to a sharp left bend of road, past Big Creek Campground entrance on your right. Proceed a few more miles, turning right onto FS Rd. 84. You stay on this until a junction with FS Rd. 8440, bearing right and proceeding (you begin to see the lookout long before you actually wind your way up to the trailhead parking area around a final hairpin turn). I believe the total mileage from the turn off from Rd. 52 onto 84 to the trailhead is 9 miles. The entire route is pretty well signed, saying High Rock at each junction. The hiking time for me was 50 mins. up, 1/2 hour down, it's a seemingly short hike but steep- a good workout. Bring Bud (or whomever is watching that day) a ""Bud"", Dr. Pepper or some Jelly Beans as a 'thank you' for their service.

Took the family and my parents up to High Rock, as it seemed the area's best bet for big views with the easiest approach. Following the intructions of an earlier report, we took the alternative route along FR 84. There were signs for the trail all the way from the cutoff to FR 59 just past Ashland on the Mountain Highway (706), so getting there was pretty easy. My three year old ran all the way to the top, but my parents got dizzy and were asking for an ""airlift"" by the end. The old guy on top is real friendly, you should offer him something once settled in the lookout. Try not to stand right on the edge of the sheer cliffs, though (as some were doing before we left); I think it wears on his nerves (it was upsetting me, at least). We had the top to ourselves with him at 10:00am, but saw over fifty people on the way out. Stats: 3.2 miles R/T, 1400' el. gain.

Four of us hiked the pleasant trail in high clouds and occasional rain. We still had great views of the mountain, and at the lookout we were greeted by Bud, and a marmot he named Sam. Bud's dinner of sausage and onions smelled mighty fine, and we left him to eat in peace while we roamed the cliff edge. We saw Tiger Lilies, Fireweed, and a bunch of other stuff I forgot. A fun hike.