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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop

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The loop trail leaving Tipsoo Lake meanders through meadows that offer some of the best views of Mount Rainier found anywhere. The route is relatively flat--it rolls up and down but has no ridiculously steep sections and only a few real climbs. The route takes advantage of the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as some of the heavily used tourist trails around Tipsoo Lake. Don't expect quiet solitude here, though the beauty of the terrain you pass through offsets any worries about crowds.

We recommend completing the loop in a clockwise direction in order to get the best views of Mount Rainier during the hike. Therefore, from the parking lot, follow the trail northeast around Tipsoo Lake and then descend through meadows to the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot on the east side of the pass. Cross to the south side of the highway and follow the PCT east, then south along the eastern flank of Naches Peak. As you stroll down the trail, enjoy masses of western anemone, beargrass, lupine, paintbrush, and more.

At 1.5 miles, stop for a rest or a leisurely lunch at the wide bench overlooking Dewey Lakes. The trail splits here. Our loop route goes right (west) around the southern flank of Naches Peak.

You'll soon see Mount Rainier thrusting skyward before you, while more meadows open up at your feet. In another 1.5 miles, you'll have looped back around the south and west side of Naches Peak and be back at the highway, opposite Tipsoo Lake. Cross the highway to return to your car.

For a longer hike, at the trail junction on the bench above Dewey Lakes, continue to your left down the Pacific Crest Trail to reach Dewey Lakes in 1.5 miles, descending gradually at first, then losing 650 feet in the last mile. At Dewey Lakes, bear to the left. Backcountry campsites are located on the north side of the lake.
Driving Directions:

From Enumclaw, drive east about 47 miles on State Route 410 to the junction with SR 123. Stay left to continue east on SR 410 another 3 miles. Park in the Tipsoo Lake parking lot on your left just past the footbridge marking Chinook Pass.

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Recent Trip Reports

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There are 143 trip reports for this hike. See all trip reports for this hike.
Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop — Oct 13, 2012 — Wendy W
Day hike
Features: Fall foliage
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The fall colors are amazing right now and made the hike great even in rain and fog. ...
The fall colors are amazing right now and made the hike great even in rain and fog.
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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop — Oct 09, 2012 — FairWeatherHiker
Day hike
Features: Fall foliage
Issues: Mudholes
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It promised to be a beautiful day and we wanted to take advantage of it. We hit the trail around 11a...
It promised to be a beautiful day and we wanted to take advantage of it. We hit the trail around 11am and although it was chilly to start with, it warmed up quickly. Hard to believe we had to “goop up” with sunscreen in October! The trail was pleasant although VERY dusty and slightly muddy in places. I think the most annoying part was figuring out which trail was which. Depending on where you started from it was kind of hard to tell where to go. Granted I’m directionally dysfunctional but I thought it could be signed a little better. After a few false starts, and a bit of backtracking we figured it out and were on our way. The blueberry shrubs were stunning and although fall color was primary, there were a few late bloomers here and there. It was strange to see sheets of ice with lupine blooming a few feet away. A very odd season indeed! The highlight was turning the bend and coming face to face with Mt. Rainier in all its glory. The meadows leading up painted all in reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Wasn’t what I was expecting. It was better! We lucked out with the winds as it kept the smoke from the forest fires off to the west. We had a peak-a-boo view of Mt. Adams in the distance which was nice as it was to hazy to see a month ago from Skyline. I can’t wait to come back spring next year to see it all in full bloom!
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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop — Oct 07, 2012 — Andres
Day hike
Features: Fall foliage
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Had a wonderful day hiking the Naches Loop today. Don't forget to go clockwise so you get views of ...
Had a wonderful day hiking the Naches Loop today. Don't forget to go clockwise so you get views of the mountain on your way back to the car. We left the car at about 10am and by the time we were to the Dewey Lake Junction it felt like summer weather. Unfortunately no animals were sighted but people abounded.
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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop — Oct 06, 2012 — buceri
Day hike
Features: Fall foliage
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Spectacular. The trail was very dusty, and a bit of ice crystals are showing on the side of some sha...
Spectacular. The trail was very dusty, and a bit of ice crystals are showing on the side of some shaded areas. This is a very popular trail and the "no pets" signs are ignored by everyone. There were dogs everywhere. Some of the trail overlaps the Pacific Crest Trail, and we assumed horse riding is allowed on it, since there was poop all over the first mile or so (after the pedestrian bridge over 410). Either that, or bears are very peculiar about pooping only on the trail. The views are stunning. The ground covers were showing all shades of red. Next year we need to do it in the summer.
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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop — Sep 23, 2012 — sketch
Day hike
Features: Fall foliage
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Trail is nice and dry, with fall colors beginning to show. There was some smoke from the forest fire...
Trail is nice and dry, with fall colors beginning to show. There was some smoke from the forest fires in the air.

We saw 1 fox halfway through the trail, just above Dewey Lake. It was black with silver markings and a white-tipped tail. Further along, we saw a black bear foraging down-slope of the trail. A few hundred yards later we noticed another black bear on the trail, but it soon moved off to a different berry bush.

Lots of gray-jays, ravens, and a red-tailed hawk completed the afternoon.
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Naches Peak Loop.jpg
Mt. Rainier from the Naches Peak Loop - photo by Alan Bauer.
Location
Mt. Rainier -- SW - Cayuse Pass / Steven's Canyon
Mount Rainier National Park
Statistics
Roundtrip 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain 600 ft
Highest Point 5849 ft
Features
Lakes
Fall foliage
Wildflowers/Meadows
Mountain views
User info
Good for kids
Guidebooks & Maps
Day Hiking: Mt. Rainier National Park Trails (Nelson & Bauer - Mountaineers Books)
Green Trails Mount Rainier East
No. 270
and Bumping Lake
No. 271

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Note: the description and driving directions for this Mountaineers Books entry are copyrighted and can't be changed.

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Red MarkerTipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop
46.86735 -121.517583333
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