Mount Rainier Hikes

The snow on Mount Rainier never seems to melt fast enough for hikers wanting to explore the many treasures of Mount Rainier National Park. With snowpack still high, and some trails still out of commission, it's hard to know exactly where you're likely to find a great hike. From short strolls to overnights, check out a few classic hikes that are ready to hike now and a few to visit in August and September.

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Northwest

Carbon River & Mowich Lake Area

Paul Peak Trail

S. Mowich River early in the morning. Photo by doublemom

Roundtrip: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1050 ft
Highest Point: 4200 ft
When to Hike: Mid-summer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for Paul Peak Trail

If you're willing to trade classic views of Mount Rainier for the panoramic variety, then you might want to try out the Paul Peak trail. It's clear of snow, is a little shorter roundtrip than some of the others in the area, and has had some recent improvements by WTA work parties. The turnaround is at the intersection with the Wonderland Trail, so it's easy to extend if you want a little longer of a hike.

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Spray Park

Spray Park view of Mount Rainier. Photo by wolfs.

Roundtrip: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft
Highest Point: 6400 ft
When to Hike: Late sumer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for Spray Park

Like Tolmie Peak Lookout trail, about 30% of Spray Park remains under snowpack well into July. But when it finally melts, this climb up into a series of alpine meadows will be worth the wait. You'll see wildflowers, incredible vistas and maybe even a few marmots along the climb. It's a classic (and sometimes busy) hike, and a good one to keep in mind for a September trip to the park.

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Tolmie Peak Lookout

Avalanche lilies in bloom. Photo by Lisa Elliot

Roundtrip: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1100 ft
Highest Point: 5900 ft
When to Hike: Late summer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for Tolmie Peak Lookout

Avalanche Lilies are blooming in abundance on this trail, but huge chunks of the trail (including the first section out from the trailhead) remains under snowpack. Between the snow and frozen lakes, you might want to flag this one for August hiking, when you'll have a better chance of making it safely to the Tolmie Fire Lookout. Between the lakes and the lookout, this one can be fun for kids, even though 7.5 miles is no short roundtrip for little legs.

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East

White River

Glacier Basin

Photo by hikingqueen. A bear spotted in Glacier Basin in June.

Roundtrip: 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft
Highest Point: 5900 ft
When to Hike: Mid-summer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for Glacier Basin

There's still a bit of snow on this trail after the first few miles, but that hasn't stopped plenty of hikers from enjoying this wide, easy trail that features wildflowers and wildlife. What creatures are you likely to see? Well, lately, our trip reporters have spotted been bears, marmots, otters and songbirds. Take your bear bell and your telephoto, and watch your step on any lingering snow. The park asks you to follow the bamboo wands where marked to avoid fragile meadows. And don't forget to notice all of the fine stone handiwork along the trail; WTA volunteers have spent the last four years building this impressive new section of trail.

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Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop

Fall Color & Mt Rainier. Photo by (c) David Hagen

Roundtrip: 3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Highest Point: 5849 ft
When to Hike: Late summer and early fall

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop

This relatively flat loop is still almost entirely under snow (one of our trip reporters snowshoed it in early July), but when it melts in late August/early September, this short loop will have everything you want from a Mt. Rainier hike. Alpine lakes, incredible views, meadows bursting with wildflowers and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. If you want to find solitude on this trail, try going at sunrise with a thermos full of hot coffee. Be sure to take some bug spray, too.

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Southeast

Ohanapecosh Area

Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

The suspension bridge. Photo by Milepost167.

Roundtrip: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 50 ft
Highest Point: 2200 ft
When to Hike: Mid-summer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for the Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

A fantastic hike for families to stretch their legs on, this short, flat loop features enormous old growth hemlocks, cedars and Douglas firs as the patriarchs. If you've got a group, the trees are perfect to snap some photos of hug chains around their base. The likely highlight for young hikers, though is a bouncy suspension bridge about halfway around.

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Laughingwater Creek to Three Lakes

Making Camp at Three Lakes. Photo by justpeachy.

Roundtrip: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 2800 ft
Highest Point: 4880 ft
When to Hike: Late summer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for the Laughingwater Creek to Three Lakes

The first five miles of this trail are currently snow-free now, but if you're looking for a long, challenging hike, wait until it's clear to make the full 12 mile roundtrip. Because it doesn't feature many of the views that people come to expect from a Mount Rainier hike, the trail is usually crowd-free. It's great on a cloudy day and makes a solid overnight destination. The first few miles and the last few miles are the most challenging.

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Southwest

Longmire Area

Carter Falls

Running down the trail between Carter Falls and Paradise River Camp. Photo by lindsyrox.

Roundtrip: 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 ft
Highest Point: 3650 ft
When to Hike: Midsummer

>> Read WTA's Hiking Guide entry for the Carter Falls

This relatively flat, easy-to-follow trail through old growth forest can be good for families or out-of-town guests, with cascades along the way for easy turn-around spots. Start at the small parking area about 2 miles from Longmire and just before Cougar Rock Campground road. You should run across Carter Falls at 1.1 miles and Narada Falls at 2.7 miles to Narada Falls. There's a sturdy footbridge across the Nisqually River.

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Comet Falls

When to Work: July

>> Read more and sign up now.

Over the winter, the popular Comet Falls trail at Mount Rainier National Park suffered a wash-out that has closed the popular trail to hikers indefinitely. The wash-out, about a mile in, has taken out a chunk of trail 10 feet across and 30 feet deep.

Much like Mount Rainier National Park did a few years ago when floods wiped out the Glacier Basin trail, it is looking to Washington Trails Association and volunteers to help fix the Comet Falls trail and get it reopened for the prime hiking season.

To get on the trail now, sign up for a WTA work party. If you work more than one day, the park is providing a camping spot for you.