Observation Rock is an apt name for this remnant vent on the north side of Rainier, about 4 miles NNW of Rainier's summit crater. Understandably, Ob Rock's summit provides unmatched views of the north faces and glaciers of Rainier. Even with its friable nature, Ob Rock is a popular objective. It even boasts a beginner ice climb on a north-facing ice sheet. The peak presides over Spray Park and is an easy to moderate scramble from there. The peak can be climbed in a day from the Mowich Lake trailhead. Ice axes and crampons are needed later in the season on some of the icefields around its base (this is the Flett Glacier). Some crevasses exist but these are mostly avoidable

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 275 miles
Driving Time from Portland 5 hours
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Relevant Books 75 Scrambles in Washington by Peggy Goldman Cascade Alpine Guide: Columbia River to Stevens Pass by Fred Beckey
Relevant Maps USGS 7 minute series, USGS Mt. Rainier West <href="http: maps.google.com="" maps?f="q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Observation+Rock+WA&sll=38.247762,-110.142632&sspn=0.009892,0.022745&ie=UTF8&ll=46.901434,-121.806493&spn=0.017212,0.04549&t=p&z=15&iwloc=addr"" title="Google map">Google map</href="http:>
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