Snowshoeing Mt. Rainier

It's wintertime, and what better way to combat cabin fever than to head to Mt. Rainier National Park for some snowshoeing!  You'll get a welcome dose of alpine elixir - fresh cold air, powdery snow, and snowy peaks in every direction.

We feature three excellent excursions to lift your spirits during these short days of winter.  Each offers routes that pose minimal avalanche danger.  To be safe, however, always check conditions before going out (Avalanche Hotline: (206) 526-6627, website) and ask for updates when entering the park.

You won't see any water on Reflection Lake until spring, but that doesn't mean the lakes are safe for walking. The ice here is notoriously thin and dangerous. Photo by Dave Schiefelbein.

Reflection & Louise Lakes

Location:  Mt. Rainier National Park - Narada Falls
Distance:  7 miles roundtrip
Elevation:  560 feet gain to a high point of 5100 feet
Avalanche Hazard:  Avoid the high avalanche danger up the steep slope from the parking lot; low-moderate otherwise.
Maps: Green Trails Mount Rainier East No. 270

Why Go?

The trek to Reflection and Louise Lakes is a quintessential Mt. Rainier snowshoeing experience - the bright, flat expanse of snow and ice covered mountain lakes, subalpine meadows that offer opportunities for romping, stupendous views of The Mountain and the Tatoosh Range, and the south end of the Mazama Ridge beckoning you to follow.

From the Narada Falls parking lot, your aim is to attain the Stevens Canyon Road atop the steep hill.  Many people climb this slope, but it is prone to avalanches and we highly recommend the alternative route.  Instead, go past the warming hut/restrooms to find the trail that loops left through forest up to the road.

The risk of avalanche on the route that heads toward Inspiration Point (right on the road) is often high. To stay on the safe side, take the avalanche-free route to Reflection Lake (to the left) - a sign is there to guide you. This route is a bit more strenuous but the overall distance and elevation gain are about the same.

The route over the saddle climbs up and over Mazama Ridge, sometimes getting pretty steep, and drops into a large meadow and down to Reflection Lakes.  Take time to bask along its shores before pushing on to Louise Lake. 

If you choose to go to Louise Lakes, return to the road and follow it in an easterly direction as it drops steeply to Louise Lake - this a great place for a winter camp (spectacular sunrise!) and for spotting climbers on Mount Rainier.

Return the way you came.

For more information: 

• Mount Rainier National Park: (360) 569-2211. A park pass is required.
  
• Avalanche Hotline: (206) 526-6677
• Snowshoe Routes: Washington by Dan A. Nelson (Mountaineers Press)

Directions:

From the west, take SR 7 from Tacoma and bear left on SR 706 in Elbe.  Go through the Nisqually Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park and head up to the Narada Falls View Area parking lot. Note that the Paradise road closes each evening, and reopens only when plowed; sometimes there is a long wait at Longmire.

Mazama Ridge

Location:  Mt. Rainier National Park - Paradise
Distance:  6 miles roundtrip
Elevation:  900 feet to a high point of 5700 feet
Avalanche Hazard:  Moderate on the climb to the ridge; low otherwise
Maps: Green Trails Mount Rainier East No. 270

Consider trying a few photos in black and white - it picks up the shadows on the snow and creates an entirely different mood on this partly cloudy day on Mazama Ridge. Photo by Jon Stier.

Why Go?

Mazama Ridge offers the best that Mt. Rainier can offer in the winter.  The wide-open views from the ridge are absolutely jaw-dropping - Mt. Rainier, the Tatoosh Range, rolling subalpine meadows, wind-sculped drifts - and there are boundless opportunities to explore.

To avoid avalanche chutes, park rangers recommend taking the Paradise Valley Road to the wanded 4th Crossing route up to Mazama Ridge. It's steeper than the summer route up from the Edith Creek bridge, but it's safer. The Edith Creek route goes through the avalanche run out zones for the slopes between Edythe Creek and Mazama.

Choose your approach to attain the ridge, angling right (south).  At the top, let the wandering begin!  Following the ridge line south will lead you to the land of snowy meadows and views of the Pinnacle Peak, The Castle, Unicorn, Boundary Peak, not to mention Mt. Rainier.  At the 2.5 mile mark, you can peer down to Reflection and Louise Lakes (also an alternative route to Mazama Ridge). 

To return follow the ridge and your tracks back to Paradise.

For more information: 

• Mount Rainier National Park: (360) 569-2211. A park pass is required.
• Avalanche Hotline: (206) 526-6677
• Snowshoe Routes: Washington by Dan A. Nelson (Mountaineers Press)
  

Directions:

From the west, take SR 7 from Tacoma and bear left on SR 706 in Elbe.  Go through the Nisqually Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park and head up to the road's end at the Paradise Lodge parking lot. 

Note that on weekdays no parking is available in the upper Paradise lot due to construction activities. On weekends and holidays, limited parking will be available in both the Jackson Visitor Center parking lot and the upper Paradise Inn parking area.  Also note that the Paradise road closes each evening, and reopens only when plowed; sometimes there is a long wait at Longmire.

The Mowich Lake trail provides peek-a-boo views like this one of Mt. Rainier along the way. Photo by 'Putz-in-Boots.'

Mowich Lake

Location:  Mt. Rainier National Park - East side
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation:  1400 feet gain to a high point of 5000
Avalanche Hazard:  Low
Maps: Green Trails Mount Rainier West No. 269

Why Go?

It's an easy snowshoe or cross-country ski, with little to no avalanche danger, up the Mowich Lake Road.  You pass beneath towering old cedar, Douglas Fir and hemlock trees, with enough peek-a-boo views on the way up to keep you entertained.

The real treat is Mowich Lake, transformed into a winter paradise by snow and its reprieve from the hordes that drive there during the summer.  You'll enjoy views of Tolmie Peak, Paul Peak and Mt. Rainier from the lake.

Depending on conditions and your vehicle, you may park along the road or at the park boundary.  Conditions on the first stretch of the trail are often poor (you may end up carrying your snowshoes or skis for a bit), but improve as you climb. 

To make the outing more enjoyable, challenging and shorter, look for the red markers high in the trees to follow the Grindstone Trail.  In the winter, the trail cuts off a few of the switchbacks in the road and takes you into intimate forest.  Green Trails marks this trail on its 2001 revision of map No. 269, and USGS marks it as a ‘pack trail’ on USGS Mowich Lake.

For more information: 

• Mount Rainier National Park (360) 569-2211.
• Avalanche Hotline: (206) 526-6677
• Snowshoe Routes: Washington by Dan A. Nelson (Mountaineers Press) 

Directions:

From Enumclaw, drive 5 miles west on SR 410 to Buckley where you will turn left (south) on SR 165.  Go 10 miles.  Just after the one-lane bridge over the Carbon River, turn right onto Mowich Lake Road (FR 79) and drive 11 miles to the park boundary or snow line.  Be sure to carry a shovel and chains; these can be especially useful in the slushy, mucky parking lot at the trailhead.