The route to Camp Muir gives hearty hikers a small taste of what alpine climbers experience. The trail stretches high up the flank of Rainier, toward the upper mountain where alpine climbers play. This route isn't for everyone since it does entail substantial snow travel and may require good routefinding skills. But on a clear summer day, hikers in excellent physical condition might consider this most strenuous trek into the world of rock and ice.

Pick a path and head north from the parking lot. It doesn't matter which route you take--keep moving upward, and all trails eventually merge. At 1.5 miles, you pass the viewpoint at Glacier Vista, and 0.3 mile beyond that, you come to a trail fork. To the right is the Panorama Point Trail. Go left to continue your steep climb. In about 0.25 mile, the trail moderates a bit as it moves up through the rocky slopes above Panorama Point.

At 2.5 miles, the trail crosses a shallow ford of Pebble Creek and then fades away. From this point forward, the trail is merely a boot track through the snows of the Muir Snowfield. For 2.5 miles, you climb along the face of the snowfield, reaching the rocky spine that houses Camp Muir at 10,000 feet. A couple of rock shelters reside here--one is used as a communal bunkhouse, the other is assigned to the licensed climbing guide service.

Turn around here (if not before), making sure you have plenty of time and energy in reserve for the return trek. Use caution descending the snowfield.