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Seattle Trails

Seattle: Round Mountain to Alpine Lookout

Hike 9.6 miles over a panoramic ridgeline serving up big views of Glacier Peak, and across wildflower meadows to a lookout tower.

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Mapped by Alan Bauer

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 7.7

Waypoints

RMT001

Location: 47.7922286987305, -120.794372558594

Head NW on Round Mountain Trail 1529 for first set of steep switchbacks

RMT002

Location: 47.7964630126953, -120.801582336426

Pass into old burn area where husks of burned-out trees stand amid gardens of ocean spray and Indian paintbrush

RMT003

Location: 47.7975082397461, -120.805404663086

Leave burn area; re-enter thick forest for push to ridge

RMT004

Location: 47.7984886169434, -120.811767578125

L @ T; first peekaboo views N into deeply carved canyons of Glacier Peak Wilderness. Start contouring SSW

RMT005

Location: 47.7958641052246, -120.820770263672

After skirting Round Mtn., enter a vast meadow and check out the crags of Big Jim Mountain and Chiwaukum Mtns. to the S

RMT006

Location: 47.8001594543457, -120.833969116211

Pass through a smaller, more-recent burn area

RMT007

Location: 47.8024787902832, -120.838020324707

Hit E end of Nason Ridge where a massive, grassy meadow of glacier lilies and lupines bloom in early summer

RMT008

Location: 47.8059310913086, -120.846343994141

First big glimpse @ Glacier Peak and the glacierfed White and Little Wenatchee Rivers emptying into Lake Wenatchee. Bear down; trail loses 350 ft. ahead.

RMT009

Location: 47.809986114502, -120.860931396484

R @ 3-way, winding up past rock gardens with almost constant views to S

RMT010

Location: 47.8121109008789, -120.86597442627

Emerge @ newly restored Alpine Lookout (staffed in summer). From this high point, get more mountain views: the Entiats, Mt. Stuart Range and Mt. Rainier; look for mountain goats too; retrace route to car

How to Pack for Backcountry Skiing

Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack.

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