The Lookout is a "first come, first served" and, therefore, not reservable at recreation.gov. Consequently, a mid-week visit with an early arrival will generally net you an opportunity to spend the night. Most folks spend one night, as a courtesy to others.
A steady, relentless 3000 ft climb over 3.6 mi to the summit. The trail is mostly forested until you make the ridge, about 100 ft (elevation) of the summit, then you get spectacular views of Rainier, Adams, St Helens, and the Goat Rocks. The summit is exposed with a few nearby trees. It also is a repeater site for the USFS. When I was there, it was HOT and really no where to get out of the sun.
WTA has a good Trail Report at https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2015-03-26.4118740807 with good general directions to PCT parking off the paved FS-5603 road.
The Cedar Creek Fire is threatening the Waldo Mtn Lookout. The Middle Fork District (Willamette Nat'l Forest) wrap the lookout with a fire-resistant laminate foil. Hopefully the lookout escapes the nearby fire...
Pretty cool video of the wrap process: https://fb.watch/eNAnhAXa1-/
Please follow K7ATN's previous report for directions to this summit.
In 2022 the tower lookout is Michelle who has been there for 8 seasons. Very friendly and ham-radio accomodating. Like other fire tower operators, announce yourself so Michelle knows you are there. There is a public port-a-potty and a picnic table that can be used. With permission, i hung one end of my EFHW from the tower structure, actually my rope supporting the EFHW.
Great Vistas from the Termination Point summit!
Termination Point was the site of a now abandoned FS Lookout. Kreske's book says it was built in the 1930s but later abandoned. The view of Adams, Rainier, and St Helens are majestic and with a little hike to the south, Mt Hood. The summit is small, about 20' x 20' but with steep dropoffs to the east - great RF takeoff angles.
Follow other blog entries for accurate directions to the access road. The first gate at FS60 road is gone, at least destroyed. A second gate about a mile in was also open but might be locked later in the season.
Normally, from FS60, this is a 3.3 mi/ 1600 ft elev gain hike but I was able to drive to with 1/2 mi of the summit where I hit snow drifts covering the road. I would expect these to melt out over the next 3-4 weeks or so, making the summit potentially a drive-up where parking would be available.
FS6801 Rd is not obscure to find and clear of windfall until about 1 mi. in. Directions to FS6801 are available by other blog entries. Going east on FS60, if you get to the PCT, you've gone too far.
From where I parked (see map below), it was a 2.75 mi road hike. Even if the windfall logs (4 of them) were cleared, the maple, alder, and doug fir are growing into the road space, meaning a few scratches on vehicles. The road ends at a turn-around location with great views of Mt. Hood to the south. There was a 1000 ft elev gain for this track.
Great location and good access from FS Rd 33- Agnes Rd. Road paved for several miles then a wide, well-maintained gravel road. Ample parking across from the road gate. Easy 1/2-mi hike to the summit. Old fire lookout is decommissioned but easy to hang one end of your EFHW and sit at the picnic table. 360-deg view from the bald summit.
Silver Star Mtn in southwest WA has incredible views of Portland and Vancouver, including the 5 major peaks. On a clear day, you can easily see Saddle Mountain in the coast range.
See my trip report on the Wash Trails Assoc website, including my .gpx track. I came in from the west from Rock Creek Camp. Great 2wd road, good parking and a 2.0 mile hike to the summit. Much, much better than the Sunset Falls north access road.