Pinnacle Saddle resides in the Tatoosh Range, a craggy line of mountains due south of Rainier. This range sits well apart from Mount Rainier and its collection of smaller sibling summits nestled along its flank, but it offers one of the best "Mount Rainier experiences" you'll find. The climb is steep and rugged at times, but the payoff is the best views of the big mountain's south face you'll ever find.

The trail climbs gently for the first 0.5 mile, sweeping through a dense alpine forest before entering a long climb up a rocky ridge. Many years, you'll encounter lingering snowfields well into July along the entire route, and at times, the snowfields are located on steep sections of hillside, making travel difficult and potentially dangerous. Use caution and exercise good common sense.

At around 0.7 mile the views start to open up, and over the next mile the views grow increasingly grand, with Mount Rainier ever present on the northern horizon. At 1.7 miles, the trail crests the ridge between Plummer Peak and Pinnacle Peak. The trail ends at this 6000-foot saddle, with incredible views north and south. To the north, Rainier looms large, but to the south, you can see the jagged teeth of the Goat Rocks Wilderness as well as the snowy cone of Mount Adams.

Climbers tracks lead onto the lower sections of the two flanking peaks, but both of these mountains require true rock climbing skills, so casual hikers must be content with the fabulous views from the saddle before returning the way they came.