Sourdough Mountain Lookout

Sourdough Mountain Lookout is accessed by one of the hardest designated trails in North Cascades National Park. The lookout is also one of the oldest lookouts in the United States. The views are some of the most scenic in Washington. The mountain sits between the Pickett Range, Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, Jack Mountain and the Snowfield Peak group. There are two trails up the mountain but the one described below is the most accessible called the Diablo Trailhead.

Home

Access:

Drive State Route 20 to mile 126, then turn left at the sign for Diablo. Park next to the river and tennis courts at the signed trailhead.

Route:

The first 3.5 miles climbs steeply up switchback through the forest. Then the grade eases a bit as it traverses the side of a ridge in the Sourdough Creek drainage. At 4.2 miles is Sourdough Camp on the creek, with just a few tent spots. Permits are required from the Marblemount Ranger Station. Now the final mile is full of views as the trail climbs up a meadow to the ridge top. Once on the ridge, a short walk takes you up to the lookout tower.

North Cascades Hwy

Distance: 5.2 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 5,200 feet
Summit Elevation: 6,120 feet
Lookout Elevation: 5,985 feet
Access: Paved

For the history of this lookout see:

Want more adventure from the lookout?

You can hike 3.5 miles along the ridge to the west into the Picket Range, all above treeline with alpine meadows and tarns.

Stetattle Ridge Trail Trip Report

View from the lookout to Stetattle Ridge, a forest fire broke out in Cle Elum on this morning blowing smoke over 100 miles directly into the area.

Stetattle Ridge

Stetattle Ridge North

Trailhead sign

First views from the Sourdough Creek Camp area

On the trail looking down to Diablo Lake

Davis Peak from the trail

View down the North Cascades Highway corridor

North face of Davis Peak

First view of the lookout

Colonial Peak and Snowfield Peak group above Diablo Lake

Looking west to the Picket Range

Ross Lake from the lookout

Jack Mountain from the lookout

Davis Peak from the lookout

Standing Lookouts

Sourdough on the front of book

Forest fire smoke and a locked up lookout

Sourdough Lookout History