Did a mid-week hike to Suntop. Met no-other parties on the drive up, on the drive down, or on the hike. Wow, solitude!
The first 1.5 miles on the 83 road are very rough with MANY potholes, but once you turn onto the 8315 road, things are better. Still a few potholes, some washboarding here and there, and some encroaching brush, but not too bad.
The last 1.5 miles of the road before the top are gated. The signage says the gate is closed if the lookout is not staffed. It took me 25 minutes to hike up from the dusty parking area just before the gate to the lookout. It is a steady uphill, and the trail itself is pretty eroded and gullied, but not difficult.
The parking lot and restrooms at the top look fairly new. Nice gravel covered walkways and a few picnic tables. The views of Mt Rainier and all of the surrounding forests from the walkway around the lookout were awesome! There were a few flowers out around the lookout, but it is well before peak color. Of course the lookout itself was closed since it was un-staffed.
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