Lake George and Gobblers Knob Trail

Lake George and Gobblers Knob Trail is an out-and-back from the Dry Creek road gate to a 1933 fire lookout above Lake George on Mount Rainier’s west side. The full trip is 11.2 miles round trip, gains 2,585 feet, and usually takes six to seven hours. The distance includes a 3.8-mile approach each way on Westside Road before the actual trail starts at Round Pass. Other route measurements come closer to 12 miles, so leave room for a long day and stops. Lake George is a useful shorter turnaround at 9.2 miles round trip and about five hours from Dry Creek.

From Dry Creek, Westside Road is closed to motor vehicles but open to hikers and bikes. The gravel road climbs gradually for 3.8 miles to Round Pass, where a wide pullout and bike rack mark the actual trailhead. That road is part of the full walk, not just a way to reach the trail. Biking the approach saves the road miles in both directions, but bikes must stay at Round Pass while you hike. Access to Dry Creek is seasonal too: the first three miles of Westside Road are open to cars in summer; when that stretch is closed, visitors continue from the road entrance on foot or skis. The road beyond Dry Creek passes through an active rockfall and geohazard area. Keep moving and do not linger there.

From Round Pass, the trail climbs gently through forest for 0.8 mile to Lake George. The shoreline and historic patrol cabin make this a worthwhile destination on their own, and the lake is the only camping area on the route. Campsites require a wilderness permit; camping is not allowed on Gobblers Knob. There is a restroom by the lake, but no drinking-water tap on the route. Treat natural water before drinking it.

From the lake, another mile climbs steeply toward the knob, gaining about 800 feet with few level breaks. A small pond sits beside the trail, and a meadow opens a first look at the lookout. At the saddle, take the right branch toward Gobblers Knob; the left fork goes to Goat Lake. The upper trail has rocky switchbacks and can hold snow into July. Near the summit, stay on the trail: the rocky ridge has a sharp drop.

The fire lookout was built in 1933 and is one of four remaining in the park. Fire watchers once used its windows and fire-finding instrument to spot smoke or lightning and report it by telephone; the structure is still used occasionally. From the summit, look for Mount Rainier and Tahoma Glacier. On clear days the view reaches Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Goat Rocks, and the Olympic Mountains. The lookout and rocky pinnacle make the photo payoff here; include part of the tower or catwalk with Rainier behind it so the picture shows both the landmark and its setting.