Mt. Brown Lookout
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Grizzly bears are active throughout this drainage, especially in late summer when berry season peaks. Carry bear spray accessible on your hip, make noise on blind corners, and don't hike alone if you can avoid it.
The upper trail can hold snow and ice well into July, making the already steep grade treacherous. Microspikes are worth the weight if you're hiking before mid-July.
With over 4,300 feet of elevation gain in five miles, this trail has an average grade north of 15 percent. Hikers without strong cardiovascular fitness risk exhaustion, dehydration, or knee injury on the brutal descent. Know your limits before committing.
Trail Details
- 1
Start before 7 AM to beat afternoon thunderstorms and to have the lookout to yourself — this trail sees far less traffic than Sperry Chalet, but the few hikers who attempt it tend to cluster midday.
- 2
Carry at least three liters of water per person. There are limited water sources on the upper mountain, and the unrelenting grade means you'll burn through hydration faster than you expect on a five-mile trail.
- 3
The junction with the Sperry Chalet trail comes about 1.8 miles in — stay sharp and take the left fork. It's signed but easy to miss if you're in a rhythm. Missing it means extra miles before you realize your mistake.