The Glacier Basin trail is in good shape, with the new one mile part in great shape. This is the jump off trail to Camp Sherman, and summiting Mt. Rainier, so normally there are other hikers on the trail also. There are a number of place with "uneven surfaces", as in steping rock to rock, so if this is a problem, pick another trail. There was bear scat on the trail, but we didn't see any. The Sitka Valerian, phliox, Monkey flower, Jeffrey's shooting star, Columbine, Arnica, and Cinquefoil were out. Lupine, Paintbrush, and Mountain Daisies were coming out. Glacier lilies were dying in places, and just blooming in other places. The trail is mostly up hill, but not steep. From trail head at the far end of the White River camp ground to the end of the maintained trail is 3.1 miles one way. There was snow on only several feet of the trail, and easy to go around.

Decided on trying Glacier Basin today. Great choice on our part, thankfully!! Trail is snow free till the glacier area, (duh) and is a great hike! Wild flowers are just starting and will be going big time by mid week I would guess. ****WARNING**** Lots of bear sightings in this area. We not only saw one, but had to rescue our packs after the bear decided there wasn't anything left in them. Keep your eyes open and stay together!! Remember - we are in their yard.

An absolutely gorgeous day to be at Glacier Basin. Cold, but sunny and very little snow and few people on the trail. The first mile is still the boulder hopping stream crossing work around, which really is nice. Being that close to the river is quite a treat. When you make the turn to go up to the basin you do run into a tiny bit of snow but nothing that would cause you any trouble. It was completely clear when we got up there at 12:30 and sat leaning against some rocks, eating lunch, until the sun dipped behind the mountain, and,oops, the temperature dropped several degrees. Time to go, but it was hard to say goodbye to the beautiful views and the surprising solitude.

Wonderful day with boon companions Jim and Bob,although cloudy, with snow showers! Easy hike but since flood and washout, very challenging crossing large long boulder field, and several stream crossings. Still got some good pics, views, turned around where switchbacks start, no views at top. Still a great day, but advise climbing up and down boulders, logs in the flood damaged area is a big big challenge especially for us shorter folks.

This report is late, but we did want to thank the trail crews who have done a GREAT job in making a temporary route through the 2006 flood damage on this trail. This was a very pleasant hike to the meadow basin below Interglacier. We saw 4 climbers on the glacier on their way to Camp Sherman. There were a few remaining flowers and fall colors had begun. We saw 4 goats on the hill across from Interglacier and a marmot along the spine to the climber's path.Thank you in advance to the WTA crew who will be working on this trail Labor Day week-end!