Thorp Mountain–Historic Lookout on Kachess Ridge
The 1930-built fire lookout was recently refurbished.
Location: Cle Elum River Valley near Salmon La Sac
Land Agency: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Roundtrip: 5.0 miles
High Point: 5,854 feet
Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Green Trails Map: Kachess Lake – No. 208
Contact: Cle Elum Ranger District: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (509) 852-1100
Note: FR 4308-120 is rough and brushy in spots. High clearance vehicle is necessary.
Access: From Cle Elum follow SR 903 (which becomes the Salmon La Sac Road) north for 15.5 miles turning left onto FR 4308 (just past the Cle Elum River Campground). Follow FR 4308 for 4.8 miles turning right onto FR 4308-120. Follow this rough road for 2.0 miles to the Knox Creek Trailhead.
Good to know: Dog-friendly, kid-friendly, huckleberries, historic fire lookout, exceptional views
There are several ways to get to the still-in-use fire lookout perched on the top of 5,854-foot Thorp Mountain. The Knox Creek Trail is the shortest and like the other trails leading to Thorp, quite scenic. However, this trail is not easy with its steep grades and brushy sections. The trail starts high in an open bowl of ferns and flowers and provides viewing nearly nonstop. The way starts off gently with a few long switchbacks before heading more steeply to a small notch on Kachess Ridge. Here among stately hemlocks and abundant huckleberry bushes head right on the Kachess Ridge Trail, dropping about 100 feet before heading up again.
Traverse a high meadow providing excellent views of twinkling Kachess Lake below all the way out to glistening Mount Rainier on the southern horizon. Enjoy good views too west of Meadow Mountain and Mount Margaret. At about 2.0 miles reach a junction with a trail coming up from Thorp Lake—a most worthy side trip or future trip.
Turn left and climb steeply up open meadows and up and around small ledges reaching Thorp’s summit in due time. Check out the 1930-built fire lookout and share conversation with one of its friendly keeps. Take in the spectacular views north of Mount Daniel, the Three Queens, Lemah Mountain and Chikamin Peak. Scan Kachess Ridge and its radiating ridges and contemplate exploring the lesser known trails that grace this lovely corner of the Central Cascades. In late summer, be sure to allot some time for huckleberry harvesting on the way back to your vehicle.
For other great hikes to fire lookouts and summits, consult my best-selling 100 Classic Hikes Washington
For information where to stay and play in the Cle Elum area consult Northwest TripFinder
was the fire lookout at the top open inside?
It is still used and I do no believe it is generally open to the public
We were just there. The fire lookout was closed and locked up. Kids crawled in to explore through a little notch at the bottom of the door. 🙂 Incredible flowers, berries and views. A pretty steep climb. Be sure to bring lots of water on a hot day. Totally worth it!