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
Map
  • Green Trails Marblemount No. 47
  • Trails Illustrated North Cascades National Park
  • USGS Big Devil Peak
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

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  • Lookout Mountain
  • Monogram Lake
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