WillhiteWeb.com - Washington Lookout Sites
Hiking to a mountain top doesn’t get much easier than Clear West Peak. Your biggest difficulty will be getting to the trailhead. The gate is often closed and the White River often washes out the main road down in the valley (check the Forest Service website). If all is good, the hike is perfect for young kids as the trail is short and gradual. The top is nice and flat, the spot of a former lookout tower. Clear West gives a unusual perspective almost due north of Rainier.

Clear West Peak

Distance: 1.5 miles (if accessable)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Lookout Elevation: 5,644 feet
Access: Gravel, usually nice
From Enumclaw drive east on State Route 410 for 22 miles to a right onto West Fork Road (Forest Road 74). Drive this road 6.8 miles to the river crossing and the winter closure gate. If open, continue 1.4 miles and turn left on FR 7430. Now go 7.3 miles to the road end and trailhead, at the high elevation of 4725 feet. (Access now uncertain, call ahead)
Access:
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NW Rainier Area
The trail starts where the clear-cuts end. Shortly after hiking, enter nice forests and remain in them until near the summit. The final few feet break out into the open where big flower displays exist in early summer. A big payoff view for little effort here.

Clear West Peak Trail Route:

white river road map north face Little Tahoma White River Valley Independence Ridge Mount Rainier Mount Freemont
Zoom in of the north face of Mount Rainier
Mount Freemont
Independence Ridge
West Fork White River Valley
Mount Freemont and Little Tahoma
Mount Rainier from Clear West Peak
Former Lookouts
In 1933, an L-4 cab was built.

On August 10, 1934, George Clisby took panoramic photos from the roof. He also took 2 supplemental photos from the highpoint nearby that blocked some view from the cab.

In the mid-1960s, the cab is thought to have been destroyed.

Former Lookout

clear west peak clear west peak clear west peak clear west peak Independence Ridge
Looking North 8-10-1934
Looking Southeast 8-10-1934
Looking Southwest 8-10-1934
This image was found in a group of pictures dated between 1928 to 1932
I took the exact shot below on 5-26-1993
Clear West Peak map clearwest cab clearwest cab clearwest cab clearwest sign
Sign was on the Clearwest Peak Lookout
Images from a Mountaineers outing when lookout was standing
Supplemental photos at true summit