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These two little mountains share the first mile of trail and make a good duo outing. As the pictures show, you can get some views of Mt. Rainier, Mineral Lake and the towns of Elbe and Mineral. A private logging company gate is off the paved Mineral Road but plenty of parking is nearby. Bringing a mountain bike is accepted here and a preferable way to travel if you have one.
Towertop & Laketop
Distance: 5+ miles for both
Elevation Gain: 1,800ish feet for both
Summit Elevations: 2,608 & 2,140 feet
Access Rating: 1
From Elbe, head south on Highway 7 under a mile to the Mineral Cutoff Road on the left. Follow the road up and back down. As the lake nears, the logging road is on the left.
Access:
Follow the logging road up to a split. Left is Towertop, right is Laketop. Ignore any minor side roads. Towertop will have the best views. Laketop will require regaining some elevation on your way back.
Route:
Alder BM on left with Olympic Mountains in distance
From Towertop looking at Elbe and the east end of Alder Lake
From Towertop looking east to Mt. Rainier
From Laketop looking over Mineral Lake to Towertop
Looking west from Laketop
Town of Mineral next to Mineral Lake
Stahl Mountain
Quiemuth Peak
Spiral top
Stump top
Looking west from Towertop