Tatoosh Lookout — Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018

Stunner of a hike!  The elevation gain will get your attention, but well worth it.  Went up and stayed sunday night hoping for good viewing of the Perseid meteor showers, they did not disappoint despite the smoky conditions, and we saw quite a few of the 'shooting stars', I wish I was astro photographer, but can't bring myself to carry a tripod.....a chair yes, tripod no.  Had read a lot of trip reports about the bugs and we went up armed to the teeth with 100% Deet as well as picaridin, never pulled it out even once.  We did wear citronella bracelets but I don't think those were the secret answer to the bugs, they simply were not up there for the entire 24 hours we spent.  I would have indicated no bugs, rather than not too bad, but each of us was bitten by exactly one horsefly, it was like they were on vacation but had to make a small showing!  Had clouds and smoke Sunday evening so had no mountain views, I think ordinarily there are 360 degree views with Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helen and Mt. Adams but we will have to return for those.  By Monday at sunrise the clouds had cleared but the smoke prevented views of St. Helen and Adams.  Good views of Mt. Rainier though.  Its a dry hike, so carry enough water, there are two small rivulets at about 2 miles into the hike from the northern trailhead but I suspect they will be dry soon.  At the first junction you come to, stay left, the right hand trail leads to a signed abandoned trail.  The next junction is Tatoosh lakes, stay straight ahead, the next junction is unsigned and a bit confusing.  You can go left or right or straight ahead, you want to stay straight ahead which heads down (don't worry, it will go back up:-).  The Tatoosh lookout trail is unmarked but it leads off of trail 161 back and to the left,  and is found just before a small saddle.  The trail up to the lookout is a beautiful ridge walk.  There is probably only room for 3-4 overnighters to be comfortable up there, got lucky and had it to ourselves.  Small site to the left of the lookout site and a couple flattish spots in a bare rocky area to the right of the lookout slightly down hill.  Lots of temptation on the grassy ridge but please don't.  Was also impressed at how clean it was up there for the whole trail, no sign of bad human behavior, lets keep it that way.