Summerland
Head up the cushy Wonderland Trail, where old growth, a roaring river and snow capped peaks will keep ones interest for the first three miles. You’ll then begin to switchback a time or two and gain elevation steadily until you reach Summerland Camp after 4.3 miles of hiking, which depending on the season, may be covered in snow or wildflowers. More adventurous types may wish to climb easy slopes 2,300' higher to Meany Crest, which features a gorgeous bivy site, large enough for 6-8, sheltered from the winds, and offering amazing views of Little Tahoma, Rainier and the Cowlitz Chimneys area and a look at the Stuart range, Glacier, Baker and a hundred others in the distance. You may see mountain goats grazing in Summerland meadows. Gaze up at Tahoma’s FryingPan Glacier and enjoy your time in this high meadow.
Further exploration: Panhandle Gap is reached in another 1.4 miles from Summerland. Here, large meadows sit at the base of dramatic waterfalls. With climbing equipment and glacier travel skills, it is possible to continue on even further, following a well trodden slope up to the Whitman Crest, elevation approximately 9,000'. Be aware of crevasses on the Frying Pan Glacier.
Driving Directions:
From Enumclaw, take Highway 410 east 43 miles to the White River Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. Veer right on Sunride Road, follow this 4 miles to the trailhead near Fryingpan Creek. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Water on trail | Snow on trail
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I wanted to show my husband some of my Top 10 Favorite hikes. After Snowgrass-Goat Ridge paid off in...
I wanted to show my husband some of my Top 10 Favorite hikes. After Snowgrass-Goat Ridge paid off in spades last week, I was worried Summerland-Panhandle Gap would pale in comparison. Not to fear; it was as epically spectacular as I remembered. A first for me starting from the White River side, and I think a very enjoyable way to do the hike.
The trail to Summerland is in fantastic condition, no issues. Past Summerland partway into the talus field, there is snow over the trail. The first bit is kind of hinky as there are melt-out holes and the sound of water rushing beneath to the waterfall. Keeps you alert, that’s for sure. We did great with snow traction thingies on our boots, and others were ok with trekking poles. Even in snowy sections the trail is well defined by cairns and boot-tracks. At least 95% of the trail is melted out except the last climb to the Gap. We stopped at the base of Panhandle Gap, and I dipped my toes in the lake there, just melting out. The wind coming off the snowfields was constant and gusting at about 20 mph and COLD – bring a jacket even on a nice day. We hiked 11.5 miles total, about 2,650’ gain, an incredible day!!! The flowers are still great – lilies mostly gone but lupine, paintbrush, lousewort (white and pink), heather, arnica, aster, pasque, yarrow, false hellebore, and pussy toes at peak. We saw marmots, pika, lots of birds, chipmunks & squirrels. Though not deserted by any means on this sunny Monday, we had miles of this trail to ourselves. Pics of flowers, spectacular mountain views, and trail/snow condition at: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/ Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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What a beautiful day to hiking with the Mountaineers on the Summerland Trail! The weather was perfe...
What a beautiful day to hiking with the Mountaineers on the Summerland Trail! The weather was perfect, the wildflowers were blooming, and there weren't any bugs.
We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers including lupine and columbine. Be sure to bring your camera! Parking at the trailhead was full at 9:30am on a sunny August Saturday. We had to park 1/4 mile down the road. Try to get there earlier to get close parking.
Summerland
— Aug 18, 2012
— junaid
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Hot and muggy with thunderclouds (no rain though), also hazy with wildfire smoke. Flowers are at the...
Hot and muggy with thunderclouds (no rain though), also hazy with wildfire smoke. Flowers are at their peak around the Summerland camp. Lupine is beginning to go to seed in the lower meadows, tons of blooming flase hellebore. Trail in excellent condition.
See full report at http://junaid-omar.blogspot.com/[…]/summerland-five-star-hike.html
Summerland, summerland
— Aug 11, 2012
— Abhi
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs
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Hiked with my 7yo daughter. The trail was beautiful and uneventfull till the meadows (around 2.5 mil...
Hiked with my 7yo daughter. The trail was beautiful and uneventfull till the meadows (around 2.5 miles into the hike). The meadow is full of blomming wildflowers and also with bugs. But nothing that some bug-spray couldn't handle. The trail is very good other than a scary bridge just before the switch backs start. Crossing the bridge was pretty hard to do with kids.
The sunny day provided spectacular views. We we went 0.5 miles beyond Summerland towards the panhandle glacier. But a ice-field with large crevasses made us turn back. This is easily one of the best hikes around this area. My daughter was pretty tired at the end but promised herself to be back so that she could go all the way to panhandle. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Summerland continues to be in my top 3 favorites in Rainier, it's always a good idea to go here! I s...
Summerland continues to be in my top 3 favorites in Rainier, it's always a good idea to go here! I started around 7:45 and only about 4 cars in the parking lot. I try and avoid the weekends on the one as TH gets really busy. Hike into the forest first 2 miles mosquitoes were bitting. But oddly after reaching first meadow they went away. The meadow first lower meadow is peaking for flowers NOW! So brilliant with color! Next hit the switchbacks and you are there before you know it! I talked to lots of people on the trail today and handed out 4 cards, hope they sponsor me, there's still time, here's the link http://www.gifttool.com/ath[…]amp;AID=2065&PID=298286
Summerland is just starting to pop with color, looks like snow melted off recently and past the creek it's still consistant what i could see to the gap, but i didn't head that way today, saving that for an overnight trip in fall. Marmots were out playing and eating and lounging. Great hike! |
![]() Meadow near Summerland, by Stephen Cobert, August 2002
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