Built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout is a historic structure located within the Mount Rainer National Historic Landmark District. One of four lookouts remaining in the park, it helped protect the park and surrounding national forests from fire. Located at 7,181 feet in elevation, it is the highest fire lookout in the park.
With their exposed locations, fire lookouts are vulnerable to lightning and windstorms. Shortly after its completion, a windstorm blew off the roof of the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout.
This historic lookout was used by firewatchers to spot smoke and lightning strikes and report them by telephone. After World War II, aerial surveillance became the primary mode of fire-spotting. These lookouts, fully equipped for fire detection, are still used occasionally.
The hike along the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail starts at 6,400 feet elevation at Sunrise and climbs moderately a short distance to the top of Sourdough Ridge. Follow the Sourdough Ridge trail west to the five-way trail intersection at Frozen Lake. From there, the trail to Mount Fremont traverses the west side of a rocky ridge for another 1.3 miles. There is no camping at or around the lookout.
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 Cascade Range, and the Olympic Mountains. North of the lookout lies the spectacular meadows of Grand Park.
Mount Rainier National Park
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service