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Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail
The Monogram Lake and Lookout Mountain Trails are difficult, isolated day hikes.
Plan Around Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail
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Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail Details
The Monogram Lake and Lookout Mountain Trails are difficult, isolated day hikes on the remote and scenic boundary of North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Hikers often split the two destinations into separate days or trips. Weather conditions at the high elevations can be unpredictable even in the summer months, and the shared trail for Monogram Lake and Lookout Mountain is often impassible from late fall to mid-spring. Beginning from Cascade River Road, the trail begins climbing up steep switchbacks immediately and quickly crosses a lush, forested ridge and an overgrown avalanche path before splitting into separate paths for the two destinations. Heading to Monogram Lake, the trail again climbs to a high ridge overlooking a subalpine meadow before it plummets to a tarn, or glacier-formed lake. Although the lake is often frozen until July, it hosts a wide variety of plant, insect, and animal life year-round; camping and fishing are prohibited here. The trail heading to Lookout Mountain also continues climbing, and climbing, and climbing, with little relief until it suddenly turns a corner and deposits you directly below the summit. At this point there are huge, sweeping views to the south, but the trail quickly continues up the last and steepest ascent. The Lookout Mountain Lookout, a historic fire tower from 1920, still sits on the summit, and is open to the public. If you can manage to climb any more, you'll be generously rewarded with panoramic view of the North Cascades. The signed trailhead is seven miles down Cascade River Road from Marblemount, Wash.
Difficulty
High
Distance
10 miles
Estimated time
6 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Monogram Lake /Lookout Mountain Trail while the map context is still fresh.
3.8 mi away
Hidden Lake Trail
This long day hike up to Hidden Lake Lookout is one of North Cascades National Park's most popular day hikes, and for good reason.
6.9 mi away
Wilderness Information Center
The Wilderness Information Center, just west of Marblemount, Wash., is the primary permit office for backcountry expeditions.
8.1 mi away
Thornton Lakes Trail
The Thornton Lake Trail is a popular day or overnight hike to one of the North Cascades' many cirque, or glacier-formed, lakes.
9.0 mi away
North Cascades Visitor Center
The North Cascades Visitor Center, located near Newhalem, is open mid-May through October.
9.0 mi away
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades is a unique mix of protected wilderness and areas open to hunting and even industrial use.
