Trail Talk - Fremont Fire Lookout
The Fremont Fire Lookout at Mount Rainier National Park is one of my favorite places in the entire world. The views that you can get from this lookout are breathtaking all around and if it's clear it feels like you can just reach out and touch the top of the peak of this glorious volcano. With that said, every summer after I discovered this wonderful hike I have made the effort to do it at least once during the season and have a new and different experience here.
This year I did not get around to doing this hike until mid August, which is later in the season than I have ever done it before. Because it was later in the summer I did not encounter as many patches of snow on the trail and just missed out on peak wildflower season. My start at the trailhead was nice and sunny while being a bit chilly, but the chill slowly melted away as I was hiking up the trail. As I was approaching Frozen Lake on my way out to the lookout the clouds started to roll in and I lost my view of the mountain. The whole rest of the way out to the lookout I was stuck in the clouds but enjoying the trail nonetheless. Being stuck in the clouds gave me a new perspective to this hike and helped me look at some of the smaller details along the way, like keeping my ears pealed for some pika chirps instead of stopping every two seconds to get another picture of the mountain view.
I was still stuck in the clouds when I made it to the lookout and they did not part away even as I sat up in the top of the lookout by myself enjoying the peaceful environment and having a great sandwich in the back country (because somehow back country sandwiches are always the best tasting ones). The least peaceful part of the lookout were all of the chipmunks trying to get into my pack and wanting to steal away all of the food that I didn't have.
After taking in the moment at the lookout, I started to make my way back down to the trailhead. I passed some large groups as I was heading down and felt extra grateful for the quiet moments I had up at the lookout by myself. I took in the views down the trail with a new perspective of the scenery I saw not too long ago. I made time to stop and take in the wildflowers and as I approached Frozen Lake again I got to take in some views of a marmot out and about enjoying his day.
When I made it back to the trailhead I gained some new memories and perspectives on one of my favorite hikes. I got to see so many things, have some solitude out on the trail, and reconnect with one of my favorite places out there. This hike holds a special place in my heart and I hope you can find a trail out there that you love just as much as I love this one. Happy trails! 🌲