At a glance
- 5 mi round trip
- 950 ft
- Out & back
- Moderate
- National Forest
- 47.0511, -121.5237
Best July to October. Chinook Pass (Highway 410) and the forest roads close with snow in winter; check conditions before driving forest roads.
Noble Knob is the kind of hike that makes the Mount Rainier area work for dog owners: big alpine payoff, none of the national-park restrictions. The trail climbs through forest and wildflower meadows to the site of a former fire lookout at roughly 6,000 feet, where the views open up across the Norse Peak Wilderness to Mount Rainier and the surrounding peaks.
Per the Washington Trails Association, this is a roughly 5-mile round trip with about 950 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The route briefly enters the Norse Peak Wilderness within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
With your dog
Dogs are welcome here on leash, as required by the U.S. Forest Service. Because the upper stretch is open and exposed, a light-colored beacon or light is worth clipping on if you are out near dusk, and carry extra water — there is little shade near the top.
Getting there
The trailhead is reached from the Highway 410 / Chinook Pass area near Enumclaw, with two common access points (via the Dalles Ridge trailhead and via Corral Pass). Forest roads here can be rough — check current conditions, and note that a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park. Chinook Pass closes for winter, making this a July-through-October hike in most years.
Gear for this hike
Ruffwear
$99.99Ruffwear Approach Pack — Research Review
The Ruffwear Approach Pack is a compact dog‑pack built on Ruffwear’s WebMaster harness frame. It pairs radial-cut saddlebag construction and a weight-forward design with two zippered saddlebags (each with a smaller pocket) for about 13 L of total carrying volume. The pack is offered in four girth-based sizes (XS–L) and includes multiple adjustment points, leash attachment options, and trail-oriented load-tuning.
Ruffwear
$49.99Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash — research review
The Ruffwear Roamer is a 1-inch webbing bungee leash offered in two length ranges that combines Wavelength stretch webbing, a padded adjustable handle with a side‑release buckle, a traffic handle for quick restraint, and an anodized 6061‑T6 aluminum Talon Clip. It’s presented by Ruffwear for running, hiking, hands‑free walking and biking and can be worn at the waist, carried by hand, or looped around a post without unclipping; the waist fit adjusts up to 48 in. The longer 7.3–11 ft option is noted as not ideal for crowded or high‑traffic sidewalks.
Ruffwear
$24.99Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl — Research Review
The Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl is a collapsible square bowl designed for food and water on the go. It is made from a durable water-resistant shell fabric with a lightweight waterproof lining and includes reflective trim. The Quencher comes in three capacities (Small 0.75 L, Medium 1 L, Large 2.5 L), folds flat for pocket or pack storage, and—because its fabric construction is not rigid—must be held or placed on level ground to maintain shape. Ruffwear provides a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Ruffwear
$39.99Ruffwear The Beacon — research review
Ruffwear The Beacon is a rechargeable, standalone visibility light intended for low-light visibility, night hiking and running, and adventure safety. The manufacturer describes a translucent polycarbonate shell that provides 360-degree visibility, three LED colors with multiple flash modes, a clip attachment for collars and harnesses, and a waterproof rating to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Beacon is not a GPS tracker and carries a manufacturer warranty (term to verify at purchase).
Related
Sources & research
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- Trail reference Noble Knob