Hill with a view - Round Mountain

This hike near Rimrock Lake leads up to the remnants of an old fire lookout. The fire lookout is gone but the view remains! This goes into wilderness areas, so remember the 12 heartbeats rule when planning your trip (no more than 12 in your party, including pets and stock).

Round Mountain
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Parking permit: NW Forest Pass ($5 per day/$30 per year)
Other permits: Wilderness permit (free), self-issued at trailhead (to keep with you)
Distance: 5.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1700'

From Yakima, head East on Highway 12. Turn Left after Naches to stay on 12. After 26.7 miles, turn Left on Clear Lake/Tieton Reservoir Road. Set your odometer to "0" and drive 2.9 miles to turn Right on Forest Road 530; just past Camp Zarahemla. Follow the road all the way to the trailhead at the dead end. There were just a few ruts when I took this road, so I think most vehicles can handle it.

After you self-issue a wilderness permit at the trailhead, you're ready to go. The trail climbs steadily through the forest. There's a large fallen tree that's been cleared in one super-sized segment. Considering chainsaws are prohibited out here, it's a marvel someone cleared it.

Not shown: an approximately 12 foot section of log, cleared off to the side, in one piece

Soon you come to an area where at some point in the past, a wildfire scorched everything in its path. New growth is sprouting up along long-dead, charred trees. It's a beautiful image of destruction and renewal, all in one trail

The trail will start to get steeper at the base of a talus field. Keep an eye out for pika; I saw a few darting around the rocks here, even though it was a warm day.

In late June, I found a few small patches of snow lingering near the top of the mountain. They were easy to cross, but there were so many mosquitoes!!! Bring lots of bug repellent; I thought I was sufficiently deeted up but I was eaten alive.

Keep an eye out for a signed junction; the lookout is signed "Round Mountain L.O. 1144A". If the sign is missing, it's the trail that leads uphill.

At the top, you'll find the foundations of an old fire lookout. From here, you can see over Rimrock Lake, the Goat Rocks, and Mount Adams. There are many places to sit here for a picnic.

Ozzy the Dog, begging for food

Sterling the Lion came along, too

Rimrock and Clear Lakes look scenic from the summit

Mount Adams peeks out in the distance

Explore around the summit for a smaller trail leading southeast, and you'll find decently impressive views of Rainier as well.

I really enjoyed this hike. It's a good distance and elevation; not too long and not too steep. It's also not an obscenely long drive from Yakima either. Mind the season; trip reports from late May this year indicated the trail was still too snow-covered for convenient travel. I went in late June and the trail was fine!