Answer honestly now: how many of you have heard of Little Ranger Peak? This little-known summit trail offers great early season hiking, though it can also be enjoyed all summer and well into autumn. The south-facing trail melts out early, but the abundance of deciduous foliage (vine maples, alders, big-leaf maples) makes this is a nice fall-color hike. The trail climbs moderately, and as it tops the peak hikers find fantastic views of Mount Rainier and the mountains of the White River valley. But perhaps the best reason to visit Little Ranger Peak: the outstanding opportunity for some wildland solitude.

Follow the White River Trail south, parallel to the highway, for 0.25 mile to find the start of the Ranger Creek Trail (No. 1197). The trail now climbs gently through majestic old-growth forest. The moss-laden living cathedral fills the Ranger Creek valley.

Wildlife is plentiful here, though with all the wonderful cover the critters can be hard to see. Squirrels scurry through the trees high overhead, and grouse rumble in the Oregon grape and salal underfoot. Owls are also common, though you have to be hiking around twilight to really see and hear them.

The trail climbs the creek valley for more than 2 miles, until at about 2.5 miles from the trailhead you encounter a trail junction. Turn left, heading up the valley wall in a few looping switchbacks.

The trail runs below the true summit Little Ranger Peak (elev. 5010 ft) at 3 miles out. Don't worry about scrambling up the steep slope to the true summit. The views from the trailside viewpoint are as good or better than from the precarious perch above. Look out over the White River valley to Mount Rainier before heading back down.