Gobbler's Knob Via the Westside Road

Pam and I headed up the Westside Road just inside the Nisqually entrance to Mt Rainier National Park to hike up to Gobbler's Knob - an old fire lookout. Since the road washed out almost 10 years ago and then a recent rock slide that killed a car that was parked by the old gate the hike is longer than before.

It begins with a walk up the old road. There are two water crossings - one on a log bridge and the other a walk over rocks. The road from that point climbs evenly up to the trailhead which my GPS had at 3.75 miles. In that distance you gain 1200 feet of elevation. You can mountain bike to the trailhead, but the road is pretty and you get to see the power of nature when she wants to take some turf back.

Here you head up the actual trail which passes Lake George on the way to the lookout. Past the lake the trail steepens and you come to a junction with a right hand turn up 4/10s of a mile to the lookout. We managed the trip from car to the Knob in 2:15.

Every new angle of Mt Rainier seem like I'm hiking in a different park altogether. The views were outstanding on a mostly clear day.

After a snack and pictures we headed back down and quickly made our way to the trailhead for the knob and Lake George. We made the rest of the trip down to the car without incident and were driving away 4 1/2 hours after we parked for 12.8 miles and 2927 feet of elevation gain.

Lunch at Whittakers' Basecamp Grill made the perfect end to a great hike that will stay on the list for the future.

Be very well and more soon...