8-Day Washington Self-Drive Fire Lookout Adventure

Set off from Seattle towards the beginning of the Cascade Scenic Loop, which follows highway 20 and highway 2 through the rugged and most beautiful pockets of the Cascade Mountains!

Once home to over 750 fire lookout towers perched atop the sea of peaks that make up this coastal range, there are now only 93 left. Washington's fire lookouts beckon to the adventurous at heart who are not afraid to take a step off the beaten path to find hidden historical gems in the most dramatic surroundings!

Today, start at Mt. Pilchuck -- one of the best hiking trails for big views over Puget Sound. The mountain stands well west of the main Cascades Range, and is easily identified from the Puget Sound lowlands. From the summit, the views extend from Mt. Baker to Mount Rainier along the Cascade front while to the west across Puget Sound lowlands are the Olympic Mountains. You'll also travel through some old-growth forest on the way. On the summit, you are greeted with a fire lookout managed by Washington State Parks and maintained by volunteers from Everett Mountaineers.

Overnight at a hand-selected cabin in the North Cascades.

HIKE:

• Summit Elevation: 5,327 feet
• Distance: 2.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet

DRIVING:

• Drive time: 1h35min

Meals included: n/a

Choose from a moderate or challenge option today. Overnight at a hand-selected cabin in the North Cascades.

MODERATE OPTION:

1) Lookout Mountain: The Lookout Mountain trail starts low and has endless switchbacks in a deep forest, just barely breaking the tree line at the summit. You won't get any views until you basically reach the lookout. But, once there, you are treated with some amazing views of the rugged North Cascades. The summit is inside of North Cascades National Park.

• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,400 feet
• Summit Elevation: 5,699 feet

CHALLENGE OPTIONS:

1) Sourdough Mountain: Sourdough Mountain Lookout is accessed by one of the hardest designated trails in North Cascades National Park. The lookout is also one of the oldest lookouts in the United States. The views are some of the most scenic in Washington. The mountain sits between the Pickett Range, Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, Jack Mountain and the Snowfield Peak group.

• Distance: 5.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 5,200 feet
• Summit Elevation: 6,120 feet

2) Three Fingers Mountain: Three Fingers Mountain is a very prominent mountain noticeable from the north Puget Sound Region. An old lookout on the highest point is a major draw. The catch for hikers is the trail that comes up short of the summit. You have to do some scrambling and snow climbing. It is not difficult stuff, maybe just bring someone along who can watch over you. The summit rocks have been made easy with a series of ladders, just hold tight as you go, there is exposure.

• Distance: 8 miles (from Tupso Pass Trailhead)
• Summit Elevation: 6,870 feet
• Elevation Gain: 4,000+ feet

EXTRA CHALLENGE:

1) Desolation Peak: Canoe and camp for several days along Ross Lake. Hike to Desolation Peak Lookout where Jack Kerouac wrote Desolation Angles and goes to in Dharma Bums.

Meals included: n/a

Drive through the stunning North Cascades National Park today past hanging glaciers, electric blue alpine lakes, blooming wild flowers, wildlife and more!

Stop for a quick day hike up to Blue Lake or Cutthroat Lake or rest your legs and take in the views from the comfort of your vehicle.

Overnight in a cozy hand-selected private cabin in the Methow Valley.

DRIVING:

• Drive time 1h39min.

Meals included: n/a

This morning, drive up to Slate Peak Lookout. At 7400 ft, this is the highest point reachable by car in Washington. Hike 0.5 miles to the lookout, 110 ft elevation gain.

Enjoy lunch in Mazama.

Continue on to Goat Peak for a sunset hike. 1.8 miles (one way) 1400 ft elevation gain.

Overnight in private hand-selected cabin.

Meals included: n/a

Choose from an easy or challenge option today.

Overnight in a private hand-selected cabin.

​EASY OPTION:

1) Lookout Mountain (Twisp): For such a short hike, Lookout Mountain has a big payoff with big views and an old lookout tower.

• Elevation: 5,515 feet
• Distance: 1.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet

CHALLENGE OPTION:

1) North Twentymile Peak: If you're looking for solitude choose this option! This lookout was served in 1921 by one of the first and only women lookouts and is nestled in a gorgeous and little-visited area of the North Cascades.

• Elevation: 7,437 feet
• Distance: 6.4 miles one way
• Elevation Gain: 4,370 feet

Meals included: n/a

Enjoy a day at leisure as you make your way along the Scenic Cascade Loop towards Highway 2. Options for the day include a fun stop at two drive-up fire lookouts (no hiking necessary!), time at Lake Chelan or a more secluded lake for relaxation, mountain biking, horseback riding, or river rafting.

Overnight in the mountain Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth at a hand-selected cabin or quaint hotel.

DRIVING:

• Drive time 2h38min.

LOOKOUTS:

1) Leecher Mountain: Leecher Mountain is south of Highway 20, wedged between the Methow Valley and the Okanogan Valley. The mountain has over 1,600 feet of prominence making for extremely good distant views.

• Elevation: 5,020 feet
• Distance: Drive-up

2) Knowlton Knob: Today the lookout is used only occasionally. It is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.

• Elevation: 3,852 feet
• Distance: Drive-up

Meals included: n/a

​Today, tackle two lookouts!

Overnight in Leavenworth.

LOOKOUTS:

1) Sugarloaf Peak: .25 miles, 100 ft elevation gain. This lookout is still in use which makes it one of the longest continuous use fire lookouts in the state.

• Elevation: 5,814 feet
• Hiking Distance & Gain: Quarter mile, 100 feet
• Prominence: 1,434 rise

2) Continue on to Alpine Lookout: This lookout site dates back to 1920 when it was uses for spotting fire, and the first building placed in 1936. The current structure was built in 1976, still staffed during summer months and is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register.

• Distance: 5 miles one-way
• Summit Elevation: 6,235 feet
• Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet RT

Meals included: n/a

​Today, visit your final two lookouts. Then, continue on back home or opt to overnight in Index, WA for another day of rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, or additional hiking.

DRIVING:

• Drive time: Leavenworth to Index, 1h13min
• Index to Seattle 1h15mins

1) Evergreen Mountain: Evergreen Mountain is one of the easiest big views in the region. With a lookout on the summit, you'll be amazed you didn't spend all day hiking there. Add in some amazing wild flowers and some nice old growth forests and you've got a great family trail.

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Summit Elevation: 5,587 feet
• Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet

2) Haybrook Lookout: Not all lookouts are on the summits of mountains. Heybrook Lookout is a low elevation lookout just above highway 2, a bit east of Index. The trail only climbs 850 feet in 1.3 miles so the trail is very popular with just about everyone. The payoff is a nice view of Mt. Index, one of the most impressive mountains in the Cascades.

• Distance: 1.3 miles
• Summit Elevation: 1,700 feet
• Elevation Gain: 850 feet

Meals included: n/a