A trip to Gobbler’s Knob would complete my goal of visiting each of the four fire lookout towers within the park. This was my first time driving the Westside Road. It was not too bad. Gravel and dusty, but no major potholes or wash-boarding. Quite smooth actually. The road is closed 3 miles in. You can see immediately why, as the Tahoma Creek has destroyed it. To get to the Lake George/Gobblers Knob trailhead, you must hike (or bike) 3.5 miles of what is left of the road up to Round Pass. The first 150 yards or so of the trail takes you along the creek. Eventually you have to find a place to cross, but there are a few options (rocks, logs) that make it fairly easy. You will make it back to a more solid and defined path after the second crossing.
It felt strange hiking on what was once a well-traveled road. Many of the old road signs are still standing. Vegetation is slowly taking over. I reached Round Pass an hour and 30 minutes after leaving the parking lot. There is a bike stand available that riders can lock and secure their bikes to (no bikes are allowed on the trail). From here you leave the Westside Road and begin the actual trail to Lake George, which is just less than a mile away. The trail starts flat, then slowly starts going up, and levels off just before the lake. I arrived at Lake George 20 minutes after starting the trail. It, like all Mt. Rainier lakes, was beautiful. There is a camping area, large wooden shelter, and patrol cabin (presently unoccupied) near the water. There is a path along the lake that allows for more photo-ops. Take your pictures now, as there are no viewpoints further up the trail.
From Lake George, the trail heads northwest and slowly begins a 1.6 mile ascent to the tower. After a few switchbacks, the trail briefly levels off, then another series of switchbacks begin. I encountered a couple patches of snow which were no problem to cross. Finally, an hour after leaving the lake (3 hours after leaving the car), I arrived at Gobbler’s Knob. The view is almost overwhelming. To the south, I could see (a very distant) Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. Of course Mt. Rainier was totally unobscured. Van Trump Park, the mountain's west-side glaciers, and all nearby peaks were all easily in view. The tower was unoccupied.
Three hours back to the car, and very tired feet. Total of six hours and 12 miles round-trip. 2569' of elevation gain. A very nice day-hike. Only seen a couple other groups along the Westside Road, encountered nobody on the trail. The mosquitos were out in force. This is not an easy hike, but well worth it in the end.
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