Sourdough Mountain

Sourdough Mountain rises to 5,985 feet elevation within the North Cascades, featuring steep terrain carved by glacial activity and offering panoramic views of surrounding peaks, ridges, and the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake far below.

The mountain features a historic fire lookout constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, which was later restored in 1998 and now appears on the National Historic Lookout Register as one of the earliest Forest Service observation posts.

The summit gained literary significance in the 1950s when Beat Generation poets Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen worked as fire lookouts here, with their mountain experiences contributing to their poetic works and connection to wilderness landscapes.

The challenging 10.4-mile roundtrip trail gains 4,870 feet of elevation and requires proper permits for overnight camping, with the trailhead accessible via Highway 20 east from Marblemount followed by Diablo Road to Stetattle Creek Bridge.

The mountain's name derives from the historic term for early gold miners and prospectors in the region, while its steep initial ascent gains 3,000 vertical feet within just the first two miles of hiking trail.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 48.75207,-121.12818

Latest update: July 24, 2025 15:31