40. Fremont, Mount, 7317' (H)
A trail leads to the Fremont Lookout. The actual peak is south of the lookout and labeled 7317'. Technically, this is a scramble because there is no trail to the peak. But the peak is so close to the trail and so easy to reach that we have classified this as a hike. The lookout on Fremont is one of four in the park. The others are on Tolmie, Shriner, and Gobblers Knob. Mount Fremont is likely named after John Charles Fremont (1813–90), known for explorations and mapping expeditions of the West.
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Driving
Drive SR 410 4.5 miles south of the Crystal Mountain ski area turnoff and turn right on Sunrise Park Road. Drive 15 miles to the road’s end at the Sunrise Visitor Center parking area.
Route
The trailhead is located to the right of the restrooms. Begin uphill on the asphalt trail leading to Sourdough Ridge, and follow trail signs toward Fremont Lookout. From the trail, pick the easiest slope to the summit or head to the southeast ridge and then on an easy walk to the summit. (This guide’s topo map shows the options). An alternate route heads almost to the lookout. Just before the trail descends to the lookout look for a bootpath heading up the ridge and take it to the summit (labeled 7317’).
Comments
The hike to Fremont Lookout is often crowded on busy summer weekends.
Vital Statistics: Mount Fremont
Skill: Hike
Beauty: 5
Effort: 3
Round-trip distance: 4 miles; 5 miles with lookout
Elevation gain: 1200'
Total time: 4 hours
Best season: Anytime Sunrise is open, July until first snow
Equipment: Hiking gear
Mount Fremont Topo
(use CalTopo to print PDF topo, view Google Earth, download tracks, for trailhead weather) [How to ?]