Started hiking at 8 am on a Sunday and rarely encountered anyone apart from 3 folks on bikes and 2 park staff members at the lookout tower. Saw more people on the hike out, but not too many. The observation deck is open, but the interior is closed to the public. Only peek-a-boo views of Mount Rainier due to the cloud cover. Photos don't accurately show how close it looks in-person. A sign stated that Mt Saint Helens and the Goat Rocks can also be seen on a clear day.
Hiking the Westside Road to get there was not as slow as I thought it would be, but biking would be faster and more fun on the way out. The road is full of history and if I had known better, I would have continued just a little farther past the turn off for the trail to Lake George and Gobblers Knob in order to see the Marine Memorial Airplane Crash Monument.
Overall, I would rate the hike as moderately difficult after leaving the road and it took me 6 hours to complete it all with breaks. Also, a pair of Merrell size 9 hiking boots were left at the trailhead. Photo included.
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