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The town of National is gone, the lookout is gone, and the view is gone. But, thanks to the Schwing Timber Sale, some good views to the east can be had on the way up to the top. This hike is on State Land, do not block gates, but enjoy the road walk to this seldom visited summit.

National Lookout

Distance: 4 miles if gated
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet if gated
Summit Elevation: 3,620 feet
Access: Good gravel to gate, then gravel/dirtpack

On Hwy 706 east of Elbe, just before reaching Ashford, turn right on 282nd Ave. Within a mile, reach the Nisqually River. After crossing the Nisqually River, follow the mainline road (#1 road) 1.5 miles until it hits a T intersection at the base of a steep hillside. Turn right onto the #2 road and follow the road for 2.3 miles to a road split. Go right, and start climbing the 4 mile road to the top of the National Lookout Site. This last road is probably gated at the start of the 4 miles.

Access & Route:

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South Rainier Hikes

The 1936 built National Lookout tower was a 60 foot wooden tower with 8x8 foot cab built by the CCC. Living quarters were in a separate building near the base of the old tower. This lookout was replaced in 1965 with a 40 foot wooden DNR R-6 live-in tower and destroyed in 1969. The older 1936 cab was saved and exhibited at the Southwest Washington Fair in 1965. It was then placed on permanent display at Camp Six, the historical logging museum in Tacoma. As of today, we cant seem to track down where it is at.

Lookout History

Ashford area of the Nisqually Valley

Puyallup Lookout

Nisqually Valley from the timber sale

Tahoma State Forest

See links to historic pictures for this hillside totally cut-over

Tahoma State Forest

View south into the North Fork

Schwing Timber Sale

Historic Incline Image One

Gap

Old Townsite

Former Lookouts

National Lookout 1957

National Lookout 1965 when new and old were standing

National Lookout 1940s

1936 Forester Report

AWS

National was manned 24 hours a day as an Aircraft Warning Station during WWII. Originally the Army was considering Roundtop as a possible A.W.S. observation post under the supervision of the Snoqualmie Forest but National was picked instead. National was supervised by the State of Washington. During the winter of 1942-1943, the material for a garage was at the site but they had not been able to construct it during the winter because of snow. A 12x20 foot garage was built using A.W.S funds and was retained for fire control purposes after the war. The lookout man in 1942 was Dave Anderson. Provisions were carried on foot, through snow, mud and rain, to the observers.

National Aircraft Warning Station