Growing up near Seattle next to this magnificent mountain is magical but I have never hiked on Mount Rainier. It always amazes me the distance at which it can be viewed. I can see the tip of Mount Rainier from my home 90 miles away.
The Sunrise Visitor Center sits at 6400 feet elevation. From there we plan to hike to the Fremont Fire Lookout 5.4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 900 feet. When you live at sea level that seems a bit daunting. Haven’t you always wanted to hike to a fire lookout?
The trail leaves the parking lot and starts to climb right away. Slow and steady wins the race. That’s what I kept telling myself as we kept going up and up. The mountain played hide and seek with us all day. One moment it was there and the next a cloud had moved in to hide behind. Such a massive mountain to disappear so easily. Blows my mind!
The trail slowed it’s ascent to a manageable climb along the Sourdough Mountain ridge to Frozen Lake then started uphill quickly from there. The climb along Mount Fremont was a steady uphill and into the clouds for a very surreal final stretch to the lookout. At one point I could see the lookout in the distance but 10 seconds later it was hidden.
What a great lunch spot! The Viking brought his stove and cooked us a wonderful chicken casserole. We sat and enjoyed our perch in the clouds.
The tower, at 7181ft elevation, was hidden in the clouds the whole time except for on very brief moment when Mount Rainier came out to say, “Hi.” I jumped up as fast as possible and yelled, “The mountain is out!” I’m told, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Seattle from the lookout… Oh well, that’s life on the mountain.
Just hanging out in the Viking’s hammock.
I’m hooked. Mount Rainier has gotten under my skin. Why have I never been hiking up here? There are so many trails to hike up here. I will most definitely be back. Maybe on a sunnier day. Maybe?
Do you see the heart in the rocks. Confession… I collect heart shaped rocks. Thankfully this one is too big. I spotted it climbing down the stairs at the Fremont Tower. It was right under the steps. Can you imagine trying to carry that off the mountain? Not that I didn’t think about it. Ha Ha! Look for it on your hike to the lookout.
Happy trails!
~Diana
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What Goes With What? 
My best friend and I hiked to the Gobbler’s Knob lookout last summer. It was our first trip to Washington, and we fell madly in love. Everywhere was incredible, but you’re right, there’s something about Rainier that really gets under your skin. I can’t wait to explore more of her! Looks like the Fremont lookout is going on the list!
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I’ll have to look that hike up. Thank you.
Happy hiking. -Diana
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