Observation Peak

Visit a the site of an old fire lookout, where you'll have views for miles in all directions on a clear day. Along the way, you'll enjoy wildflowers of many varieties, beargrass, and plump huckleberries in the summertime.

The lookout that used to stand at the summit was built in 1934 and was abandoned in the 1960s. The Observation Trail 132 links to the Observation Peak Trail 132A, a spur to the former lookout site. For a short hike begin at the Observation Peak Trailhead for a 5.0 mile roundtrip. Or you can start at the south end of the 132 trail by parking at the Trapper Creek Trailhead for a 12 mile roundtrip hike.

If you prefer loops, pick up a map and see the many ways you can loop the summit into a circuit with the Big Hollow 158, Trapper Creek 192 or one of several primitive connector trails.

The 5.0 mile option, begins at the Observation Peak Trailhead on Forest Road 58. It is a steep climb at first, but then levels off before climbing more gently to a view of Mt. Adams about a mile from the trailhead.

Then the route descends to a junction with the Big Hollow Trail 158 about 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Trail 158 is another way to loop up to Observation Peak from the Trapper Creek Trailhead. If you need to fill up on water, find a spring about 100 yards down the 158 trail among a thicket of slide alder.

The jct of 132 and 158 has a small camp spot know as Berry Camp. To continue to the summit, go straight passing the 158 jct on your left and then the upper end of the Trapper Creek Trail 192 on your right. In 0.4 miles you are at a 4 way junction. The Observation Peak Trail 132A climbs to the summit, the 132 contours along Howe Ridge down to the Trapper Creek trailhead, and the 132B "shortcut" trail drops down to intersect the Trapper Creek Trail 192.

The summit and its amazing views is just 0.8 miles up the 132A (Observation Peak) trail.