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Observation Rock

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
46.9329, -121.8653 Map & Directions
Length
13.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,435 feet
Highest Point
8,364 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Hard

Mowich Lake Road is closed for the season

  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Ridges/passes
  • Wildlife
  • Established campsites
  • Mountain views
  • Dogs not allowed
  • Summits
  • Waterfalls

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

National Park Pass
Saved to My Backpack

From Spray Park, in Mt. Rainier National Park: a fun, class 2 scramble to Observation Rock. Continue reading

Rating
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Hiking Observation Rock

From Mowich Lake, hike the Wonderland Trail to Spray Park. Then hike cross country towards Observation Rock and Echo Rock, preferably on snow to avoid making lasting impacts to the environment. In the late season, you can hike to the highest point of Spray Park on the Wonderland Trail and then take a boot-path trail on the ridge towards Echo Rock.

When you reach the Flett Glacier, traverse the glacier to the left (south) towards the south side of the peak, then climb the scree and talus to the summit.

This is an alpine scramble. Route finding skills will be necessary. An ice axe, topographic map, compass, altimeter and GPS (and the knowledge of how to use them) are highly recommended. Crampons and or snowshoes may be needed depending on snow conditions.

Observation Rock

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 46.9329, -121.8653 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

Mowich Lake Road is closed for the season

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

National Park Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From SR 162 in Sumner, or SR 410 in Bonney Lake, drive south to SR 165. Drive through Wilkeson and Carbonado and cross the one-lane Fairfax Bridge. Then take a slight right turn at the clearly signed fork to Mowich Lake and follow the 12 mile unpaved road to its end.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Mount Rainier National Park

Guidebooks & Maps

Climbing Washington's Mountains

Jeff Smoot

Morris Book Publishing

LLC.

75 Scrambles in Washington

Peggy Goldman

Mountaineers Books.

USGS Mowich Lake

Green Trails #269

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Observation Rock

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