Mt. Fremont Lookout Trail
The Hike: The Mount Fremont Lookout trail is a 9.2 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located within Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. It features a hike around Frozen Lake and is rated as a moderate hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until October. To increase the risk factor, plan a hike here for a sunrise elopement during a pandemic. That’s what we did! Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed within Mount Rainier National Park, and we stick to the rules, so Dottie had to stay behind at a very lovely AirBnB in Packwood. Luckily we still got to take lots of pictures with our beloved pets later on.
Getting There: First, get to Packwood, WA via WA-24 W or US-12 W and spend the night at Dottie’s Basecamp! Next, you will take WA-123 S and WA-410 E to get to the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot. That section of the drive is about an hour. Be sure to note posted speed limit signs to avoid the wildlife that frequently crosses the road. When we went on this particular hike last, we saw a moose!
Things to Know: Mount Rainier National Park charges a fee to enter. Fees are $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. Note: This area is subject to closures due to weather. For updates, please visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/road-status.htm.
The beginning of the trail starts at the ranger station of the Sunrise Visitor Center with grassy meadows full of wildflowers. Towards the end of the trail the landscape is mainly rocks with incredible views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains. Be sure to note the signage, as this trail has several others that stem off of it. You need a National Park Pass (7 day pass, Annual Mount Rainier Pass, America the Beautiful pass) to get into Mount Rainier National Park and do this trail. You may purchase it at the entrance or online (just be sure to print it out and bring it with you!)
What to expect: You may see mountain goats, bears, marmots, and other wildlife. We saw all of the above! Be sure to check weather conditions often leading up to your hike, as road closures occur often, and inclement weather can hit at any time. Always be prepared with your ten essentials and leave no trace.
Stay tuned for additional blog posts soon!
