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The drive took over two hours from home. We did miss the turn onto the logging road. Arriving about 10:25 we found only five other cars at the trail head. The signs and guide books say the distance to the lookout is about 1.5 miles. My GPS read 2.0miles. The trail was a bit steeper than I remember from doing the hike seven years ago. 1408 ft of elevation gain over two miles. It is a steady 704 feet gain per mile. The high point being 5689 feet. Upon arriving there were only 5 or 6 other hikers, but before we returned another 50+ came and went. One of the couples put up a short wave radio antenna and set up communication with friends that were hiking on the East Coast. The bugs were so thick at the lookout we couldn't stay near it very long. Luck there was a breeze. After about an hour and a half of lunching and picture taking we headed back. This is a hike everyone should do. It has a definite wow factor.

High Rock Lookout September 1st, 2013

The drive took over two hours from home. We did miss the turn onto the logging road. Arriving about 10:25 we found only five other cars at the trail head. The signs and guide books say the distance to the lookout is about 1.5 miles. My GPS read 2.0miles. The trail was a bit steeper than I remember from doing the hike seven years ago. 1408 ft of elevation gain over two miles. It is a steady 704 feet gain per mile. The high point being 5689 feet. Upon arriving there were only 5 or 6 other hikers, but before we returned another 50+ came and went. One of the couples put up a short wave radio antenna and set up communication with friends that were hiking on the East Coast. The bugs were so thick at the lookout we couldn't stay near it very long. Luck there was a breeze. After about an hour and a half of lunching and picture taking we headed back. This is a hike everyone should do. It has a definite wow factor.

First view of the lookout from the road in	Viewed from near the trail head	The trail ran along the ridge crest

A tiny view of the lookout from the first resting bench	More trail	The first good view of Mt. Rainier

Nearing the lookout from the tree line	First close up
	"Click on an image to enlarge"
There were sign-in books in the lookout

In portrait view	Looking back at Mt Adams and parking lot	Adams and St Helens

Another close up	These are all bugs	I think they are all winged ants

Mt. St. Helens with small steam cloud		Sign in books, but not manned

	Quite a view	Cyd along the ridge

Viewed from our lunch spot	Way too many noisey people	This couple set up a short wave radio antenna and were contacting their friends, who were hiking, on the East Coast.

Cyd sitting along the ridge line		The trail

A Memorial along the trail	Memorial	High Rock from the parking lot