Washington – Fremont Lookout Sunrise Hike, Rainier National Park
When my friend suggested a sunrise hike in Rainier National Park, I knew it had the potential to be spectacular. And it truly was. We hiked with headlamps with Mount Rainier looming in the dark, snow reflecting light from the moon. However, we were not alone. On the first ascent, we could see a line of headlamps following us up the trail. Upon reaching the Fremont Lookout, it was comical to see how many people were standing on the balcony surrounding the Lookout. Even with a crowd of people, the Lookout and views in either direction were ridiculously scenic. We found a quiet spot a little ways away from the Lookout to enjoy a cup of coffee while waiting for the sun.
The sunrise was spectacular. And sure enough, people began to leave after the first light. Although baffling, we then got to explore the Fremont Fire Lookout with a much smaller and more patient group of people. If you mentally prepare for the crowds, I would highly recommend a Fremont Lookout sunrise hike in Rainier National Park!
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Fremont Lookout Sunrise Hike
Without further ado, let’s get into the Fremont Lookout HIke. From the Sunrise Trailhead area, there are a handful of ways to get to the Fremont Lookout. We opted for the route via the Sourdough Ridge Trail and navigated using Alltrails – here’s the link to the exact trail information. The trails are well-marked, and you can pretty much follow the line of people to the Fremont Lookout, but downloading the map gave peace of mind while hiking in a daze in the dark! The trail leaves from the Sunrise parking lot and starts on a bit of road before immediately climbing up an area of double wide shallow steps, followed by a climb and then a very steep climb.
After getting to the top of these climbs, you follow the ridgeline slightly downhill toward Mount Rainier. Eventually, you’ll reach a small lake that you must make your way around, following the signs and roped-off area. You’ll go around three sides of this lake (probably why the rangers added all of the signs and ropes) and away from Mount Rainier. Then comes the second major climb of the trail. The elevation gain and the increasing views will leave you breathless.
When you reach a rocky/shale area is when you’ll make a turn around the corner and be able to see the Fremont Lookout in the distance. It looks like it is precariously perched on the hillside, which is funny because it doesn’t seem that way when you’re over there. The final rocky section is a little nerve-wracking as one side includes a steep dropoff. We had a pep to our step during this section as it was getting relatively light as we made our way toward the Lookout.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would go again
- Intensity: Hiking boots or athletic shoes, athletic wear
- Location: Trailhead is at the Sunrise area, which had a massive parking lot that somehow gets stacked
- Cost: $55 per car, or opt for the National Parks Annual Pass for $80
- Restrooms: There are restrooms with flushing toilets at the trailhead
- Timing: 2 – 4 hours (we stayed for well after sunrise, so it was a good couple of hours at the Lookout)
- Distance: 5.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: about 1,118 ft
Highlights:
- Epic view of the sun slowly illuminating Mount Rainier
- The Lookout itself is gorgeous and fun to photograph when the initial crowd dies down
- The Sunrise area of Rainier is lovely and worth a drive, even if you are not doing a hike
- Excellent sunrise hike.
Lowlights:
- The Fremont Lookout is a popular destination – do NOT expect to have the Lookout or even the area around the Lookout to yourself.
Sunrise at the Fremont Lookout
We made it before sunrise!! Although you won’t be able to see the Lookout immediately, you’ll know it’s close when you start to see all of the people. Upon finally seeing the Fremont Fire Looking, I audibly laughed at how crowded it was! There had to be about 15 people standing on the little balcony surrounding the Lookout. There were another 15-20 people dotted around the bottom of the Lookout and the surrounding area. Instead of trying to watch the sunrise from the Lookout, we climbed over the nearby rocks to a flat place that only had two other girls taking photos. The four of us shared the space in relative peace.
We settled into our little area by breaking out the mini stove to boil water and make coffee. Does anything beat a hot cup of coffee while watching the sunrise over a spectacular view?! There was an uninterrupted view of Mount Rainier in one direction, and in the other direction were layers of mountains that faded into the distance. While holding onto our coffee, the sun finally appeared over the layers of mountains and cast a bright pinkish-orange glow on the top of Mount Rainier. I was split with which direction to watch!
We took photos with the sun at different parts of Mount Rainier, luxuriated in our coffee, and munched on some granola bars. At this point, we had already been up for 2.5 hours, so it made sense why we were ravenous. It was chilly now that we were no longer hiking, so we layered up and soaked in the moment.
The Fremont Fire Lookout Itself
I’ve seen this happen during every sunrise hike, but it still surprises me when people leave once the sun has risen. People left before the sun even reached the bottom of Rainier. After our coffee and snacks, we leisurely made our way over to the Lookout itself. Wanna guess how many people were on the Lookout now that the sun had risen? Only 3!! Upon going up the steep stairs and realizing that the handrails only came up slightly over the knees, we realized it would be wiser to put our packs and extra layers below to maneuver around the Lookout more easily and comfortably pass other people.
The Fremont Lookout is no longer functioning as a fire Lookout, and you cannot enter the structure, but you can see inside. There is a bed, stove, map, and other items to help triangulate precisely where a fire is located. I believe fire Lookouts are no longer necessary as technology has replaced their usefulness. Ninety-three fire Lookouts still stand in the state, down from 750.
With fewer people, we were able to take a look into and around the fire Lookout, take photos, and simply enjoy the scene without feeling like we were bothering anyone else or being bothered by anyone else. It was great. My recommendation is to hit that lull after the sunrise but before the early day hikers arrive.
Photo Opportunities
Phew, with scenic views in both directions and the fire Lookout, there were endless photo opportunities. It was tricky to balance being present with the sunrise with how photogenic the scenery was! Here are some ideas for capturing this photogenic scenery:
- Bring a tripod and get a timelapse of the sunrise over Mount Rainier.
- If you’re bringing the gear to make coffee, be sure to get some shots holding your mug with the scenery in the background.
- Also, use the tripod to capture both you and your friend in the same shot by having a tripod, using the timer function, or using the PhotoTimer+ app.
- At the Lookout, head to the corners for some great shots.
- If the crowds decrease, you might be able to stand below and capture your hiking partner on the Lookout.
The Return Trip
I could have stayed at the Fremont Lookout all morning due to the insane views of Rainier. However, we needed to get back to our campground to pack up our tents. We made our way back across the rocky shale area, then down the steep incline, and around the little lake. It was fun to see everything in full daylight. By the time we returned to Sourdough ridge, the crowds had fully emerged. As we returned to the trailhead, the number of people hiking the trail was endless. We passed group after group after group. As I mentioned earlier, there is a handful of various trails in the area, so I’m not sure that all of these new people were heading to the Fremont Lookout, but still nuts.
We saw deer on our return trip and took in the views of Mount Rainier. Even if you do not go all the way to the Fremont Lookout, I would recommend the Sourdough Ridge Trail. Again, so fun to see it in the daylight!
Fremont Lookout Hike Recommendations
Although this hike is not particularly long, it’s better to be fully prepared when starting any hike in the dark! Bring a day pack to hold all of your goodies so you feel prepared and comfortable while waiting for the sunrise.
- Check the weather to ensure you’re able to see Rainier!
- Download the Alltrails Map so that you can find your way in a sleepy daze
- Day Pack – I used an older Patagonia 28L pack that was bigger than I needed. Consider the Gregory May 16 or small Osprey pack for a close-to-body experience with hip pockets.
- Hiking Shoes – You need sturdy shoes with grip. I wore the Keens Logan Mid, sadly no longer available, but the Keen Targhee Mid, Targhee II Mid, Targhee III Mid, or Voyageur Mid seem very similar.
- I also use a layered socks system to prevent blisters, which includes a sock liner, like this EcoMade one, with a thicker one on top like the EcoMade midweight or Marino Wool midweight.
- Headlamp – We used a headlamp for the first half of the trail but no longer needed it until we reached the trail junction, Black Diamond is a solid choice. OR the Petzl Actik Core has a rechargeable battery – very cool! It also gets very good reviews.
- Water bottle – Because I knew we would make coffee, I brought 2 liters of water in a hydration bladder. I use the Osprey 3L and don’t fill it up all the way.
- Hiking poles – I don’t have an opinion on hiking poles yet, but if you’re looking for reasonably priced ones, check the REI Co-op.
- Jacket – My white jacket is the Patagonia nano-puff hoody
- Mid-Layer – My blue fleece is the Patagonia Re-Tool Fleece Pullover
- Sunscreen – I use this sunscreen for my face, and this one for my body
- Bring breakfast or a snack – I like those Bobos bars
- Stove (for coffee)– Jetboils are convenient but bulky… consider a pocket stove.
- Coffee (for coffee) – You can use these handy pop-up pour-over packs or bring coffee grounds and a filter.
- Mug (for coffee)– I don’t trust plastic with boiling water, so here is something cheap, and here is a titanium option.
- Small tripod for photos
Calculations for A Sunrise Hike
One of the trickiest parts of doing any sunrise hike is the timing calculations to ensure that you reach the summit or destination before the sun rises. I recommend rounding up and being generous with the timing so that you’ll make the sunrise.
To calculate what time to wake up, we needed the following information:
- Timing for the sunrise: 6:15 am
- Hiking Distance: 2.85 miles one way (we rounded up to 3 miles)
- Hiking miles per hour: 3 mph (my average pace is 2.5 mph with photos)
- How long it would take to drive to the trailhead: 20 minutes (we buffer an extra 10 mins)
- How long it would take to get ready: 30-45 mins
By working backward, we determined that we would need 1.5 hours to hike the trail, so we needed to be at the trailhead at 4:30 am, leave the campground at 4:00 am, and wake up between 3:15 to 3:30 am. The 3:00 hour is an ungodly ugly hour. And just like always, when that alarm goes off, it feels like a punch in the face. I recommend doing everything possible the night before – pack the backpack with water and snacks, lay out your clothes, prepare your morning toiletries, so they are easy to grab/utilize. The less you need to think in the morning, the better!
Getting to Fremont Lookout Trailhead
Although we didn’t know it when we arrived in the dark, the Sunrise Visitor’s center area is stunning, as is the drive to this area! And yes, the area is called Sunrise, which can be confusing when you do a sunrise hike. This area is on the eastern side of Mount Rainier, so buffer in plenty of time during the drive. By 9:00 am on a Saturday, the trailhead was INCREDIBLY busy. I am thrilled I got to experience relative peace in the early hours.
Utilize Google or Apple maps to route to the trailhead, which is at Sunrise, Sunrise Visitor’s Center, or Sunrise Day Lodge – all of which should show up. Do this while you’re still on the major freeways because my service was spotty as we reached the actual turnoff.
Overall Thoughts: Fremont Lookout Sunrise Hike
There is nothing like a sunrise hike to make you feel alive again. It’s a literal uphill battle from the moment you wake up, but oh so worthy! We lucked out in terms of the weather – it was cloudy the day before but was completely clear on the morning we did the sunrise hike. Although insanely busy, I was mentally prepared for the crowds and found a quiet spot to enjoy the spectacular view and a cup of coffee. Then, once the sunrise had happened, we got to explore the fire Lookout at a leisurely pace. With the views and the Lookout, this is a spectacular destination for a sunrise hike!
We spent the weekend in Rainier National Park, so I wrote a couple of other posts about what we did. Check them out below:
- Backpacking to Glacier Basin, Rainier National Park
- Tips for Getting a Walk-Up Permit or First-Come, First-Served Campground
- Iconic Seattle Sunset Sail right from Downtown
- Or check out all of my Washington Posts
The next area I would like to explore in Rainier National Park is the southern Paradise region. Do you know of any great hikes or backpacking in the area? If so, let me know in the comments so that I can check it out.
Happy Travels,
Hanna
