Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Mount Rainier National Park Trails,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. From the parking lot, cross the river above the thundering falls on the large stone bridge. Once over the river, descend along the trail leading downstream. In about 0.1 mile, you skirt along the lower reaches of the plunge pool at the base of the falls. Another 0.1 mile farther on, you hit a junction with the Wonderland Trail. Turn left onto the Wonderland and begin climbing through sun-dappled slopes above the river. Juicy orange salmonberries can be found here in mid-July. At about 0.75 mile, the trail swings into a series of switchbacks and climbs into a rich forest zone before cresting the ridge and starting a 0.5-mile-long traverse parallel to and below the Road to Paradise. The trail pops out of the woods onto the road at 1.5 miles at the western end of the Reflection Lakes. Turn around at the lakes and return to Narada Falls.
Driving Directions:
From Tacoma, drive east on State Route 7 to Elbe, then veer left onto SR 706 to enter the park at the Nisqually Entrance near Ashford. Continue east along the Nisqually Road to the Narada Falls parking area found on the right. Recent Trip Reports
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Snowshoe/XC Ski
Issues:
Avalanche danger
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Coby, Jacquie and baby Madeline joined me for Madeline's first trip (hopefully of many!) to Mt Rainier. Madeline is nearly...
Coby, Jacquie and baby Madeline joined me for Madeline's first trip (hopefully of many!) to Mt Rainier. Madeline is nearly 3 months old. She traveled in a front pack carried by her mom, Jacquie. We started out at Paradise intending to hike up Mazama Ridge, but it was very windy and cold in spite of the balmy weather in Olympia when we left home. So we dropped down to Narada Falls and hiked to Reflection Lakes instead. This trail is more protected and was not as windy but still pretty cold--in the 20s with the wind chill. Coby took some great photos and little Maddie did great on her first outing!
Jane Habegger, Olympia Snowshoe/XC Ski
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Funny to see the July 24 trip report warning of snow on trail - definitely true in December!!! We started...
Funny to see the July 24 trip report warning of snow on trail - definitely true in December!!! We started around 9 on this COLD and very windy (i.e., gusting over 30 mph, ranger saying, "You're going to HIKE in this?" windy) Tuesday. We were protected climbing through the woods, but once we hit the ridge you can see from the parking lot, the sleet-to-the-face factor kicked in pretty well. This was more than made up for by fleeting but stunning views of the Tatooshes between racing clouds against an often blue backdrop.
The lake had tracks across it, within the past couple of days and no holes, but there were also melted out spots, so I wasn't going to try it. It started snowing and blowing in earnest with decreasing views, so we headed back for lunch. This trail is very well marked on poles and trees, so it's a good one to do if there's a lot of fresh snow (but hard work blazing for snowshoers). There are a lot of options up Mazama Ridge, to Paradise, etc. Also, you're likely to see one of the foxes - if you do, please keep it wild by scaring it away!!! We didn't encounter anyone until we headed back from Reflection Lake, pretty quiet for this well-used trail. More photos are at: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/?page=6 Day hike
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I can't believe it's December already! Man, how the months fly by! I arrived in the parking lot around 10...
I can't believe it's December already! Man, how the months fly by! I arrived in the parking lot around 10 and headed up the trail behind the restrooms. I was the minority today, snowshoeing. Everyone else was skiing. The weather was cloudy at first but cleared by 1 in the afternoon. Snow got deep after the lake, where most crowds like to turn around, me included. I played with b&w setting on my camera, the shadows were brilliant. Great day to be outside in the fresh cold air!
Saw a fox at a pull out on the way down. Day hike
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Beautiful. Not to many hikers on this path, which was nice....
Beautiful. Not to many hikers on this path, which was nice.
Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes, Narada Falls
— Jul 24, 2011
— Wally
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Wandered the Wonderland Trail between Reflection Lakes and Longmire on a beautiful day. Took the shuttle to the falls...
Wandered the Wonderland Trail between Reflection Lakes and Longmire on a beautiful day. Took the shuttle to the falls hiked up to Reflection Lakes, then back to Longmire.
Hike was great, all river crossings were in. The last .5 miles to Reflection Lakes was snow covered, but easily passable (with proper footwear). The flowers were starting to bloom along the roads and in the forest glades. There were minor tree falls between Narada Falls and Reflection Lakes, none of which were impassible. A bit muddy, but not so much to make it a slog. More complete details are posted at workingtowardwonderland.blogspot.com. |
Reflection Lakes. Photo copyright Dave Schiefelbein.
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