Suntop Lookout — Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Another great score! This fire lookout made our fourth one in as many days! We had just finished a three day trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. We book-ended our multi-night trip with High Rock Lookout on the way down and now Suntop on the way back. We drove to within a half mile of the top where there is a large intersection and the trail crosses the road. Others chose to drive all the way up where there is ample parking as well. The trail is a little loose and dusty from mountain bikes but it isn't bad. The top gets pretty rocky. Even in this brief half mile ascent we identified ~25 different wildflowers. The lookout is apparently available for rent and seemed as though guests were there although we didn't see anybody. The lookout itself is well maintained. The Osborne Fire Finder was there and functioning. This was a highlight for us. We spent 20 minutes identifying and locating peaks around Rainier's north side using the fire finder. There is a picnic table at one end of the summit with amazing views. I'll be adding this spot to my short-hikes-recommendations list.