The gate is open some of the time meaning if you have a sturdy, high clearance vehicle, you can drive quite a ways up the mountain. We started off Ranger Road. From there it is about 4.7 miles with 2800 gain one way to the lookout site aka North Tumwater summit. The lookout camp was in the saddle between that summit and another couple of hillocks. The flowers were stunning and no snow remained as of 5/15/23.