4 Slate Peak, Okanogan National Forest The popular road (5400/600) from Methow Valley over Hart's Pass to Slate Peak is Washington's highest, climbing to over 7000 ft. It involves edging along a hair-raising drop-off and ends at a tiny parking area a quarter mile below the summit and lookout. You'll be rewarded with head-spinning views of North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness.
5 Sun Top, Mt. Baker, Snoqualmie National Forest Located off Road 7315, Sun Top, built in 1932, is about 15 miles northeast of Washington's highest point, 14,411-ft Mt. Rainier. If the weather's clear, it provides a terrific view of the mountain and Winthrop Glacier.
U.S. Forest Service maps, available at ranger district offices and outdoor recreation retailers, show lookout locales. Contact the relevant ranger district for information. You'll need a Northwest Forest Pass, available at Forest Service offices and local businesses ($5 day/$30 annual).
The Forest Fire Lookout Association maintains an informative Web site, including information about renting lookouts for frills-free overnight stays, at www.firelookout.org. Also see the National Historic Lookout Register Web site at www.firetower.org.
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