Lookout Mountain & Monogram Lake
Two strenuous hikes of nearly ten round trip and just over 4,500 feet of elevation gain in the North Cascades. The trail to the aptly-named Lookout Mountain switchbacks steeply up through forests and meadows to a lookout with panoramic views. In early season Lookout Mountain is a snow scramble. Monogram Lake is set in a deep cirque and surrounded by many glaciated peaks, the lake provides a challenging destination worthy of the effort needed to get there.
getting there
Turn south off of SR 20 in Marblemount and drive the Cascade River Road, 7 mi from Marblemount to the Lookout Mountain Trailhead (1,200 ft).
on the trail
Lookout Mountain
Hike the Lookout Mountain Trail. At 2.8 mi reach a junction and take the left branch to Lookout Mountain. It's 9.4 miles round trip and 4,470 feet of elevation gain with a high point of 5,710 ft.
Monogram Lake
Hike the Lookout Mountain Trail. At 2.8 mi reach a junction where the right branch leads to Monogram Lake Trail. The trail becomes a bit "sketchy" at this point, showing its origin as a fisherman’s boot track "built" many years ago. At 4 mi it crosses a meadow, ascends a final ridge to 5,400 ft, and then descends to the lake basin at 4,900 ft. It's 9.8 miles round trip and 4,675 feet of elevation gain with a high point of 5,400 ft.
scramble route
lookout mountain (5,710 ft)
Hike the Lookout Mountain Trail to snow line. Cross the upper meadow which can be avalanche prone. Scramble up te steep east slope, swinging left from time to time. Basically, follow the summer trail. This is typically a snow scramble April through June. It's 9.4 miles round trip and 4,470 feet of elevation gain with a high point of 5,710 ft.
- Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Scrambling
- Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Strenuous, Strenuous 4, Technical 4
- Length: 9.4 mi
- Elevation Gain: 4,470 ft
- 5,719 ft
-
Land Manager:
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Darrington Ranger District (MBSNF)
- Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Marblemount No. 47
- Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park
- USGS Big Devil Peak
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Lookout Mountain
- Monogram Lake
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