Slate Peak Lookout — Hart’s Pass High Point

Slate Peak is the highest point in Washington accessible by a maintained road — a short, steep spur off Hart’s Pass Road puts you at 7,440 feet with the North Cascades spread out in every direction. The old fire lookout tower still stands and you can walk the catwalk. On a clear day you’re looking at Glacier Peak, the Canadian Border Peaks, and deep into the Pasayten Wilderness. It’s the natural bookend to the Hart’s Pass run and worth every mile of switchback to get here.

The spur road from Hart’s Pass to the summit gate is short but steep and exposed — nothing a stock 4WD can’t handle, but not the place to discover your brakes are soft. The gate near the summit is sometimes locked; if so, it’s a short walk to the top. Snow typically closes the road from October through late June. No water, no services, no cell signal. Bring layers — the wind at the summit is real even on warm days.

Highest driveable summit in Washington state.