Rumble Mountain rises south of Cedar Notch, the source of the South Fork Cedar River, near Big Muffin. While it is a lesser-known destination in the South Cascades, the peak offers a uniquely rewarding experience for those exploring near Stampede Pass. It also provides a quiet getaway with the promise of solitude and surprising views.
See more trip photos here.
Rumble Mountain and Deconstruction Hill at a Glance
Access: Road 5060/5066
Round Trip: 2.9 miles (Rumble); 2.1 miles (Deconstruction)
Elevation Range: 3580′-4529′
Essential Gear: none
Route Info: Scott Rice (Rumble); Rich P (Deconstruction)
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes
Playlist: Dark, Melancholy, Reels
An Easy Approach to Our Destination
The drive to the start was on surprisingly decent gravel roadways that only showed potholes after crossing Friday Creek. From Stampede Pass, the scenic road dipped through a series of switchbacks before rising again. We then began the walk from the first road bend past the top of Friday Creek at around 4000 feet. After encountering four dips in the road, we reached a clearing with stunning views of Mount Rainier and Kelly Butte.
As we returned to the forest, young trees and old log rubble soon appeared past the junction. The initial part of the road-turned-trail was rocky, covered in brush. However, a faint footpath conveniently hugged either side of the dense vegetation, which made for a relatively straightforward approach. From the broad, open area beyond some talus and a dense tree area, we dove east into the thick forest toward the high point.
The Debris-Covered Summit of Rumble Mountain
The summit area of Rumble Mountain was draped in massive tree logs, obscuring its high point. Despite limited views, I could see Mount Stuart, Big Muffin, Meadow Mountain, and the neighboring Deconstruction Hill from among the debris. We returned to the clearing for better views and saw the I-90 peaks, including Kent, Web, and Defiance. Despite the warm day, the shade along our route offered a cooler respite.
On the way out, I made the impromptu decision to stop by the neighboring Deconstruction Hill. It made sense to include it on this trip since it was a long way to reach this remote area beyond Stampede Pass. While Scott’s route appeared shorter, we opted for Rich P’s track to avoid further driving through overhanging branches. Soon after, we started at the edge of the enormous slide alder that had overtaken the old road.
Fighting Brush on Deconstruction Hill
Occasionally, we moved alongside the alder where the path was more open, switching sides depending on the direction of its growth. After crossing Road 610, we stumbled on a random trail, following it until we reached Road 630 just below 4000 feet. While the path to the top was more open and easy to follow, it still required some navigating through dense vegetation.
Deconstruction Hill was yet another viewless summit, even more so than Rumble Mountain. This remote spot was only one Green River Valley north of Kelly Butte, though we could not see much. During our stay, mosquitoes kept buzzing around us, and we expectedly got a few bites here and there. Thankfully, the cooler temperatures of the late afternoon made the return trip a tad more pleasant.
