Lake George and Gobblers Knob

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Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Lake George is a pristine mountain lake nestled in the northwest shoulder of Mount Wow, a mountain whose name means "goat." Gobblers Knob is a rock outcrop situated at the north end of Mount Wow, and there is a fire lookout tower on top. From this spot on a clear day, Rainier's summit and Tahoma Glacier are visible, as are the peaks of Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and the Olympic Mountains.

Campsites at Lake George are popular. Permits are required for camping, and campfires are prohibited. Bicycles are allowed on the final 4 miles of Westside Road leading up to the trailhead, but vehicles are not. See the Mount Rainier National Park website for more information about access and permits.

Like most dirt roads, Westside Road is a well-graded doubletrack, allowing for easy running. The trail up to Lake George is moderate and generally good for running, but may be busy. Gobblers Knob is a different story, and proves to be quite steep for runners.

Take the Westside Road to the gate at Dry Creek (approximately 3 miles from the start of the road). Due to danger from rock fall, vehicles must park south of the barricade at Dry Creek. Runners and bicyclists should travel through the area with caution and avoid lingering in the rock fall hazard zone.

Run up the closed portion of the road to Round Pass and the trailhead (approximately 4 miles). The route to Lake George is easy with a gradual incline, and most runners will choose to stop there. It is popular for families with small children. The slog to Gobblers Knob Lookout is an additional 1.5 miles and much steeper.