We got to Longmire a little before 8am on a sunny Sunday and found plenty of parking. (Timed-entry reservations aren't required for the Paradise corridor of the park this summer, although they're required for the Sunrise corridor.) We ended up seeing a total of about 10-12 people on the trail, so this is a good one for solitude.

The first few miles of the trail are in the woods and ascending at a steady incline, with a couple good views of Helens through gaps in the trees. Around the 3-mile mark the trail emerges into alpine meadows. The wildflowers are stunning currently - so many different colors. This part of the trail is quite steep, and the bugs also got annoying at higher elevations; definitely bring bug spray.

As you climb through the meadows you'll see Helens, Adams, and Hood on a clear day. The views were lovely yesterday. Rainier is right in front of you when you reach the saddle, although the views are better if you continue down the trail to the right (a bit past the sign that shows where the maintained trail ends). We also spotted Paradise from up there. Poles were helpful for the steep descent. 

I promised Georg the sun would come out. Just as we returned to the car at 3pm it did. Oh well, predicting weather is not an exact science. Foggy with a light drizzle toward the top, but lots of flowers and a deer.

Meet 8 or so hikers. All really nice to talk to and trade hiking info. We have a saying -hike long and early. We classify hikers in 2 groups. Sub and plus 3 milers. In short-hikers with good footwear and packs with all the essentials including water and those totally unprepared. And we find no trash on any of our hikes past the 2-3 mile mark.

As for no view of The Mountain, I will just gaze at the 100 or so I have from other hikes, or better yet, just walk a little bit and see it live today.

Happy hiking.

The upside of a healthy cloud cover is that it keeps the hiking temperature cool. The downside is there’s not much of a view at the top.

The first 3 miles of this hike was a steady climb through the forest on a wide path. The last half mile was a narrow trail through meadows and a very steep uphill. The flowers are in full bloom. The avalanche lilies are spectacular. The trail ascends about 1000 feet in the last half mile, so be prepared for a serious grunt walk. On a clear day, the view from the saddle would be amazing.

I don’t think this trail gets much traffic compared to other trails in the park. Perhaps because the trailhead is tucked behind ranger cabins in Longmire. If you are looking for some serenity and privacy in the park, this may be one of the few places to get it.

Bluebird day above the lingering lowland clouds at Mt. Rainier today. 

PARKING: Fast entry, clean restroom at Longmire, parking overall wonderful prior to 8:00 am. No car reservation needed, just your park pass or America the Beautiful pass for 2025. 

TRIP: After parking we walked across the suspension bridge to continue to the Nisqually River where it meets at the trailhead. The trail is a well-maintained, for a slow warm-up, that gradually becomes steeper through the forest with multiple switchbacks. This trail is appears lightly used and has a nice cushy forest tread of pine needles for most of the way.

The lowland areas are covered in moss and fragrant twin flowers and did I say switchbacks, I once counted 41.

Continue uphill towards the saddle of Eagle Peak at 3 miles, the trail then opens to minor snow mounds that over a few days have bloomed into avalanche lilies. Alpine wildflowers of Lupine, sitka valarian, penstemon, tiger lilies, yellow mountain aster, mountain daisy and paintbrush are just starting at the avalanche chute area. Leave the micro spikes home.

A beautiful hike with views of cascade volcanoes, Rainier, Hood, Adams, St. Helens, Comet Falls and Narada Falls and Paradise. 

Be aware there is just one small creek crossing but is a great place to get water. Remember to use a filter. On all fours for a rocky 5 step climb to the saddle (not hazardous).

PHOTO SPOT: At the saddle you can continue a short bit but the major photo spot is at a nice bench spot where you can also eat lunch.

8.5 miles, 3000' elevation gain ending at 5900'.

Eagle Peak Saddle: a few minor patches of snow on the way up (no problem), a few mosquitos at the saddle (sort of annoying), a few wildflowers (nice!), and a few ok views of Rainier (but see also...)

Chutla Peak: a class 3 scramble with no hard moves, but a bit of exposure in places with less rock / more veggie belays. Snow on the climbers trail to the final peak, steep enough that I'd want gear, but easy enough to bypass. Even if you can make it only to the first clearing on the ridge, the views of Rainier are that much better.

Eagle Peak: a fun scramble that's all class 3 on proper rock (more that Chutla) as long as you follow the beta to skip the rooty ravine + obvious class 4/5 wall and instead down climb ~40ft to the left and then climb back up the obvious ledge / ramp.

Epic views from both peaks but I think Eagle was more fun and had a nicer view of the Tatoosh overall.