This little loop explores some of the most spectacular wildflower fields on the continent. These glorious meadows of flowers are lined with trails, most of which are paved--at least along their lower reaches. This is an unfortunate but necessary fact. These high-altitude meadows are so fragile, and so popular, that the hardened trail surfaces are needed to prevent the fields from being loved to death.

The paved trail climbs steeply through the wildflowers that grow right down the verge of the parking lot. The network of trails in the lower meadows can be a bit confusing, but to make your routefinding easier, simply keep your goal in sight. Alta Vista is the tall fin of tree-covered rock due north of the parking lot. At each intersection, pick the trail that leads north toward this fin.

For the best experience, angle toward the east side of the Alta Vista summit, following a steep dirt trail along the precipitous wall above Edith Creek basin. This deep, green valley is typically awash in wildflowers from late July through August.

At about 0.7 mile, the trail--now on the northern flank of Alta Vista--reaches a four-way junction. The Skyline Trail leads farther north, as well as southwest toward the Paradise visitor center. The other forks are the one you came up and the return left across the crest of Alta Vista. Take this path back.

Stop periodically to look behind you at the monolith of Mount Rainier. The trail drops off the southern end of Alta Vista and descends steeply back into the Paradise meadows to close your loop. Wander back to where you started.