I drove up to the end of the Westside Road that is open to motor vehicles before it closes for the season, so I could hike up to Gobbler's Knob, 12 miles round trip with 2,600 ft of gain. I had the hike up to and at Gobbler's Knob to myself today, it was so quiet and peaceful.
The first 3.6 miles is up the closed Westside Road, view of Mt Wow and the moon as I began soon after sunrise.
Further up the road, I had a view of the top of Mt Rainier beyond Tahoma Creek.
There were some vine maples turning colors among the evergreens of the forest.
At Round Pass, I took the trail up towards George Lake and Gobbler's Knob. On the way I had a peek of Mt Rainier between the trees.
Along one section of the trail, I could see the Fire Lookout up on top of Gobbler's Knob.
The only tracks before me in the snow were of a deer,
and a rabbit.
View of Mt Rainier about 0.2 mile below the top of Gobbler's Knob
Looking up at the Fire Lookout on Gobbler's Knob
View of Mt Rainer from Gobbler's Knob
The Fire Lookout on Gobbler's Knob
From the lookout, I watched Mt Rainier disappear in the clouds
I decided to hike back down the trail to avoid the attack of the gray jays as I ate my lunch.
Goat Lake down below on the west side of Gobbler's Knob
Mine were the only footsteps as I retraced my route down from Gobbler's Knob, part way down the trail I met 4 other hikers heading up, the only people I saw on this trail today.
Back down on the road section, I could see that Mt Rainier had come out of the clouds.some of the flora, fall color and fungi seen along the trail today:
