Guess you could call this a followup to my Aug 24, 2011 report for this hike. I was on the trail at 9am and at Camp Muir by 2pm. The weather was great but very different from Aug 24. About 30 miles from the park I drove out from under the low cloud cover that I had been under since leaving Olympia. Started the hike under blue skies with clear views to the east. The snow had melted noticeably from the trail to Pebble Creek but there were still long stretches that were snow covered and slick. The wildflowers near the snowline were all fresh and new. At about 8000 ft elevation the clouds moved in below to cover the valleys and lower peaks. The wind picked up and the temperature dropped making the exertion of the climb a lot more bearable. Strange thing is that at Camp Muir there was no wind and it was warmer than lower down. The trip down through the clouds took a little less than 2 hours. Took advantage of the slide shutes.
From Paradise parking to Camp Muir: 5 hours
Hike/slide down: 2 hours
Hike age; still just shy of 62

As summer draws to a close in Washington it was time to go higher than we ever had, up to Camp Muir! We had been eyeing this hike all summer and now is about as good as it will get snow-wise this year so we decided to give it a go. Arriving at Paradise at 9am the crowds were already there, not tourists but the RMI and REI trucks were unloading their clients. So if you want to beat them, get there before 9.

We started out on the Skyline Trail that immediately climbs a few hundred feet right out of the parking lot on a paved walkway. After a third of a mile the snow patches begin, but it’s pretty easy to find the route, just follow the signs up Skyline Trail, then to Pebble Creek. Once at Pebble Creek the snow is constant all the way up, however there is a very well defined boot path through the Muir Snowfield all the way up. After Pebble Creek is where the Stairmaster begins. Crossing over 8000ft you can really feel the air getting thinner with every breath. We took it slow and steady, stopping at rock patches to take a breather, drink water, and eat some snacks. Muir finally came into view and as others have said you can see it but it doesn’t get any closer very quickly. Between the thin air and burning legs it does take some time. Finally we arrived at Camp Muir, it was a great feeling, everyone up there was very friendly, most waiting for their chance to summit the next day. The views from this point were really incredible. The top of Rainier seemed so close, and you could see Mt Adams, St Helens, and even Mt Hood in the distance. Look carefully and the parking lot at Paradise is visible, how far we had come!

By 3:45 it was time to head down. Aside from the stunning views the glissading was definitely a highlight of the trip, bring a change of clothes because you will get wet!


It was a popular hike this day at least a hundred other climbers were on their way up/down the mountain. Thankfully those descending kept to the left of the trail where all the glissade chutes were, so at least the crowds were split. Once back at Pebble Creek we were back among the tourist masses and the going slowed down quite a bit. Finally back to the car a hair before 6pm, ready for some dinner and dreading the long drive home.

It took us about 5.5 hours to get up and 2 hours to get down. We had microspikes, gaitors, trekking poles and plenty of water and were very glad we had brought all of these!

Warm day mostly sunny and clear. I was on the trail by 11am. Would suggest an earlier start, at least 9am. Between Paradise and Pebble Creek about 70% of the trail is free of snow but there are still long stretched of trail with snow cover where trekking poles are needed. After Pebble creek where I had lunch at about 12:30 I was in the snow for the rest of the trip. Be sure to take trekking poles for this part; the snow is wet and slippery underneath. Those without poles were having a hard time. The traffic is heavy enough to make the way easy to follow. About half way up clouds formed over the summit and you could hear the wind raging on top. At this point it was still warm and calm where I was. Closer to Camp Muir a light covering of cloud moved in below making for great photos of Mt Adams with blue sky above and clouds in the valley. Well, because of my late start I had to turn around just shy of reaching Camp Muir. It was 4pm, my predesignated turnaround time. According to someone I talked with who was on the way down I was about 30 minutes form the camp . This is my first time for this hike and not knowing how long it would take to get back, I was being conservative about the time. Actually, I was back at the parking lot by 6:15. The good thing about not making it to the camp is that I have an excuse to come back. This hike is spectacular! Wildflowers at the start and stunning views of Rainier, St. Helen's and Adam. It's a long, hard slog up but to tell the truth, I didn't mind it or even notice much the difficulty.

Two experienced friends showed me up to Camp Muir on a blue-skyed August day. We were on the trail by 7:15 am, which I recommend as the snow is easier to climb in the morning. Not much to say about this hike/snow-walk. It is gorgeous views from here to Hood and the Goat Rocks. Trail is almost completely on snow, of course. Pretty good glissade routes on the way down. Thanks Dan and Amy for this one!!!