Lake George & Gobblers Knob Trail
- Distance, round trip, Lake George: 9.2 miles
- Distance, round trip, Gobblers Knob: 11.2 miles
- Elevation gain, Lake George: 1,490 feet (approx. 1,100 feet to Round Pass; 390 ft to Lake George from Round Pass)
- Elevation gain, Gobblers Knob: 2,585 feet (approx. 1,100 feet to Round Pass; 1,485 ft to Gobblers Knob from Round Pass)
- Hiking time, round trip, Lake George: 5 hours
- Hiking time, round trip, Gobblers Knob: 6-7 hours
- Wilderness Camps, Lake George: Lake George
- Wilderness Camps, Gobblers Knob: None
Trail Description
Lake George is a pristine mountain lake nestled in the northwest shoulder of Mount Wow. The rock outcrop of Gobblers Knob is situated at the north end of Mount Wow, a mountain whose name means "goat".
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. Hikers and bicyclists should travel through the area with caution and avoid lingering in the rock fall hazard zone. Visitors are also advised that Westside Road is an active geohazard zone.
Hike/bike up the closed portion of the road to Round Pass (3.8 miles). The Lake George/Gobblers Knob trailhead is on the left of the road by the wide parking area at Round Pass. A bike rack is next to the trailhead. Bikes are not allowed on any trails. The hike to Lake George is easy with a gradual incline over 0.8 miles. The hike to Gobblers Knob Lookout is an additional 1.0 mile from Lake George and much steeper.
NOTE: Always check current trail conditions before heading out. Log footbridges frequently wash out during the winter or other conditions could be affecting the trail.
Along the Trail
Enjoy the shoreline of Lake George and spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Tahoma Glacier from Gobblers Knob. On a clear day the peaks of Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and the Olympic Mountains are visible. The fire lookout has been in use since the 1930s.
Backpacking
Permits are required for camping. Permits and trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.
