Well we tried in March and we tried again today knowing we probably wouldn’t make it again, and guess what!!! We didn’t lol. In March we went from Covel and made it about half a mile from the FR, today we tried to drive up because we figured with all the rain and warmth the road would be decently melted. We got to the last junction where the sign said the LO was a mile away and got about half a mile up that, parked & started hiking up. Well the clouds opened up and we could see the LO well over yonder, easily two or three miles away, hahahaha. At that point, our pitbull’s paws were looking too red for us to go that far (we need to get her some booties), and so we turned around. We missed our window this summer, so third time will hopefully be the charm!!!

Caution on the WTA trail description. If you start at the Cispus Learning Center it is approx 7 miles in one direction (14 miles total) and 4200 ft of elevation gain.
Rather than drive up a perfectly good road I chose to hike from the Cispus Learning Center starting out at the Covel Creek Trailhead (trail#228) and go up to Covel Falls (also known as Curtain Falls) and then continue up the Burley Mtn Trail (trail#256). Approximately 2 miles to Curtain Falls and then 2 miles up Burley Mtn trail to road 7605. Turn left onto the road and follow it up to the Fire Lookout (approx 3 miles up the road). Now I know one should never cut switchbacks on trails but on a road that's sort of a different story. I know you may still end-up trampling vegetation but a little bushwacking doesn't hurt. The Burley mountain trail hasn't been maintained in a while and there a number of blow-downs across the trail but nothing that is too difficult to cross. One section in the middle is getting a little overgrown but you can still follow.
The road was mainly in the shade on my way up and most of it looked in very good condition. I saw tire tracks but as I was up higher there were some good rain run-off ruts in the road but I think manageable by most vehicles especially if you have a little extra clearance.
I think that the Burley Mtn trail should be extended to cut through the switchbacks and make the trail to the lookout significantly shorter.
The views from the lookout were spectacular: Mt Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt St Helen's are almost equal distance (Mt St Helen's the closest though). You can also see Mt Hood.
The Firelook is definitely getting a little tired. There was a posting of a group that did some restoration work back in 2009. I don't know if anything has been done since then. There are two mattresses in the lookout.There is also a log book to sign.

Around the lookout was like a meadow with all of the wildflowers. I saw a hummingbird up there and a number of butterflies. There were also bees and flies but none of them really bothered me. On the road at one point both up and down I had some fly or bee that kept buzzing me but that was the only bug issue.
On the way back down I met a couple on the Burley Mtn Trail a short ways above the falls (the first people that I saw all day). Once back into the Covel/Angel falls loops there were a number of people. I took the loop to Angel falls as I was so close. You have to be careful on the way back as the main trail continues out to a different road (Road 28) and you have to walk back out on the road. I took a trail that headed back to Covel Falls and then down from there. When I was driving out I saw a number of people walking the road.

Did this hike a year ago and never got around to submitting a trip report. Coming back to the page, I see it still incorrectly lists the elevation gain and length. The gain is actually much closer to 4000 ft and the total length is 14 mi round trip.

The hike is beautiful and was fairly well maintained last year. It's got a decent slope from beginning to end but is not too steep. Getting to the top was well worth it. On a clear day, you'll have great views of Rainier, Adams, and St Helens all from the same point. Highly recommend the hike.