WillhiteWeb.com - Washington Hiking

At the edge of Mount Rainier National Park is Mount Beljica, a summit with a trail that if in the park, would have the daily crowds visiting. Beljica is a former lookout site so it offers incredible views of Mount Rainier, the Goat Rocks, Mt. Adams, St. Helens and the many peaks west of the park. The Beljica name is attributed to two families who climbed to the summit in 1897. The families pulled the first initial of each of their combined children and created the name: Burgon, Elizabeth, Lucy, Jessie, Isabel, Clara, and Alex.

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Summit Elevation: 5,475 feet
Road Access: Gravel, usually graded

From Tacoma, take State Route 7 to Elbe, then left onto SR 706 to Ashford. Continue 3.8 miles east of Ashford and turn left onto Forest Road 59 (Copper Creek Road). Continue about 5 miles up this road to a junction. Turn right onto FR 5920 and go 2.4 miles on this road to the end at Lake Christine trailhead.

Access:

Home

South Pierce County

The trail starts out steep, but then gets easier as it begins to traverse over to Lake Christine. In a mile you are passing the lake on the right, then climbing an easy pass east of Mount Beljica. Look for a side trail at the pass, the Mount Beljica trail goes for a half mile up to the summit. For further explorations, hike to Goat Lake, Gobblers Knob, Glacier View or one of many highpoint scrambles in the area.

Route:

Mount Beljica

Beljica

From Old National Area

Former Lookouts

In 1922 a cabin was built near Lake Christina, a half mile below the summit, for living quarters for the lookoutman. The summit did not accommodate any structures. Approximately 100 feet below the top of the mountain was a tool shed and a telephone fixed to a tree. The site was staffed after lightning storms and exceptionally hazardous conditions. Old mountaineers journals called it Belijica Lookout in 1955. The camp was said to be officially abandoned in 1958. If you find the summit benchmark that is 5 feet south of the highest point of the mountain, the telephone booth was 150 feet south of it.

Lookout History:

1955 Mountaineers Journals

1979: Tool Shed and telephone mounting box fixed to a tree

Beljica Lookout looking Southwest on July 19, 1934

Beljica Lookout looking North on July 19, 1934

Beljica Lookout looking Southeast on July 19, 1934

I must have not have had a camera or my pictures were lost. Date visited: June 7, 1998

My Pictures: