[TR] Suntop Lookout - 2/15/2014

[Fairweather]

Trip: Suntop Lookout -

 

Date: 2/15/2014

 

Trip Report:

Just ahead of the storm, Pope and I booted and snowshoed to the Suntop lookout on Saturday. The first mile was bare, the rest of the road is deep and getting buried deeper by the minute. Started snowing hard when we arrived on top, and kept snowing on the way down. This is a good avy-safe workout worth about 3200' of gain. Just remember to cut left into the woods when you get to the final 600 feet as the spiral road crosses steep, open terrain. As usual, we had the whole thing to ourselves.

 

 

[JasonG]

I'd never even heard of this LO before, now I will have to check it out. Thanks!

[Dchromey]

It's just north/northwest of Rainier off of 410. The turnoff is right before Dalles Campground

[genepires]

looks good!

[Woodcutter]

That's a great idea for the cardio challenged. It's a classic mountqainbike ride in the summer.

I suspect that the Coral Pass road further up 410 would be similar but different, equally safe with heavy tree cover & 4500' of grunt.

[obwan]

It's a great descent on the Mtn Bike except for the oncoming cars.

On a nice day, be sure to bring a camera - one of the best northside views of Rainier, as it is right in your face.

[Fairweather]

It's a great descent on the Mtn Bike except for the oncoming cars.

On a nice day, be sure to bring a camera - one of the best northside views of Rainier, as it is right in your face.

 

You're supposed to ride up the road--and then over and down the Fawn Ridge trail to Buck Creek. Then Skookum Flats or White River Rambler back to your car. Anyhow, you're right--the view is awesome and the lookout now has a caretaker in the summertime.

[obwan]

Now you are talking about a great descent - cool!