• Mount Rainier peeks through clouds, viewed across subalpine wildflowers and glacial moraine.

    Mount Rainier

    National Park Washington

Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

Trail route from Sunrise to Mount Fremont Lookout/ NW.
A map of the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail route from Sunrise.  Use of a topographic map of the area is recommended.
 

Trail Description:

Distance, round-trip:

5.5 miles

Elevation gain:

1200 feet

Hiking time, round-trip:

3 hours

Wilderness camps:

No

Several Sunrise trails share the same trailhead at the north end of the Sunrise parking area. The trail to Mount Fremont Lookout is among them. Please note: off-trail hiking is not allowed in the Sunrise area.

From the trailhead near the restrooms at Sunrise, this trail climbs for 0.3 mile, then follows Sourdough Ridge west. At 1.5 miles, just past Frozen Lake, you'll find a five-way junction. From there, the trail traverses the west side of a rocky ridge for another 1.3 miles to a fire lookout built in the 1930s.


Along the Trail:


The entire trail from Sunrise to the lookout is through meadowland and over rocky crags. On a clear day hikers can enjoy superb views of Mount Rainier, the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains. North of the lookout lie the spectacular meadows of Grand Park.


Backpacking:


The closest camps to Mount Fremont Lookout are located near Sunrise and at the northern end of Berkeley Park. There is no camping at or around the lookout itself. Permits are required for camping. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.

  • Wilderness Trip Planning Wilderness Trip Planning

    Get the maps you need. Read More

  • Trail Conditions Trail Conditions

    Planning a trip into the Mount Rainier backcountry? Find out what the trails are like before you go. Read More

Did You Know?

Trees and lush vegetation in the Carbon River Rainforest.

The Carbon River Valley receives about 70 - 90 inches of rain a year. Abundant rainfall and mild temperatures have created an inland temperate rainforest. Explore the Carbon River Rainforest on the 1/4 mile loop trail and learn about the rainforest ecosystem from exhibits located along the trail.