Trail Overview

This is a spur trail of the WABDR that's well worth the stop. You can drive up most of the way to the lookout tower and park. You will need to walk the rest of the way up. Depending where you park, it can be up to a half mile walk.This lookout tower is staffed in the summer months by the Forest Service. It is a really neat lookout tower on a rock cliff.

Photos of Sugarloaf Mountain Lookout Tower

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Difficulty

The trail to the parking area is an easy dirt road in the summer months. This area gets snow in the winter months.

History

Sugarloaf Peak is one of the earliest established and longest continually used fire lookouts in Washington State. It's perched on top of basalt columns. Sugarloaf has been one of the longest actively used lookouts in Washington.This lookout has been changed through the years and the current structure was brought here from Lion's Rock near Ellensburg in 1949.

Technical Rating

Derek C

Sep 02, 2025

Open

Closed due to Lower Sugarloaf Fire

Marlo love

Jun 22, 2024

Open

Whiskey Victor

May 27, 2024

Open

Gate to lookout tower is closed, but it's only a 5 minute walk to the tower.