Our group headed for Eagle Peak Saddle, not needing the instep crampons & ice axes we had decided to carry just in case. The trail has 3 blow downs, but all are easy to clamber over. Making our way through the accumulated snow which begins above the switchbacks of the shale field, we found all of the views blocked by a low cloudy mist. A very good looking trail with supported steps now snakes its way up to the saddle; (kudos to trail-makers) I recall this section to have been really hairy a few years back. We had lunch at the saddle and as if on cue, the super views unfolded before us as the sun and blue sky popped through the mist. We then explored within 50 feet of Eagle summit and made our way down, checking out a way trail towards Chutla for a future adventure. Parking; given the area across bridge to the trailhead is very busy with construction activity, best parking is near Longmire RS, then walk for few minutes past employee housing & across the bridge. Stats; roughly 8 miles, with about 3000 feet gain. Maps GT 269 + 301

The road to Paradise is open and the access road to the trailhead at Longmire is open too, though actively being worked on. Note the complete absence of Sunshine Point campground as you drive by, and the astounding and complete relocation of Kautz Creek! The Eagle Peak trail is in excellent condition. There is only one tree across the trail, and there is a new)ish) bridge across the creek at 4300 ft. Just above 4,000 ft the trail is covered by snow. We followed the trail to the creek then headed straight uphill over good, compacted snow after crossing the creek. The basin is full of snow, though there has been some melting on the tread just below Eagle Pass. The snow in the basin makes Eagle Peak, Chiutla and Wahpenayo that much more accessible! We climbed Eagle and Chiutla and called it a great day!

It was a beautiful day to be at Mt. Rainer. We were aiming for the Eagle Peak saddle, but ended-up on a higher point on the ridge on which the saddle is located. The Eagle Peak trail is a very nice trail that switchbacks easily up through a lovely mature forest. Beware of the snow covered log over the stream. Much safer to go down into the stream bed. From the stream crossing, we used snowshoes. We followed the trail and then continued on tracks from a group of 5 that took a more direct route. Not knowing where the saddle was located, we followed their tracks up a steep slope and ravine to a point on the shoulder of Eagle Peak at about the 5800 foot level. The view of Rainier and of the Tatoosh Range was spectacular. We followed the narrow ridge in the direction of the saddle, but couldn't figure-out a way down to it, so we descended by our ascent route. The snow was stable and held steps well, but in different conditions the route could be risky.

Got started late (after noon). The snowshoe trail is in excellent shape, moderately travelled in lower section. Donned 'shoes @TH, though boots would be fine to 3700' or so. At 4965' a traverse of an avalanche slope began. We'd been here in summer and knew there was a left switchback somewhere near here (topos show it too) that would avoid the open slope. But the lone prior snowshoer to this point had continued straight across, and we chose to follow their tracks. However, a temperature inversion (32 deg @ TH, 55 deg @5000') created sorta' wet slab conditions, and as we moved across numerous recent small snow slides were visible. Got progressively more cautious and turned around at 5080'. Under these conditions, we probably should have chosen to break new trail up the left treeline instead of following on the open slope. Beautiful Saturday on a nice trail; met two other single snowshoers. Road over the bridge in back of Longmire to TH was plowed but icy; we parked at road's end cul-de-sac.

One of the best graded trails (wta) and best forest hikes in MOunt Rainier. Very degraded step climb after that. Overall though probably the easiest 3000 feet you will ever do. Usual deer and fawn and varied thrush on trail. Trail is well graded but mountain is steep. Can usually look over and see woodpeckers at your eye level but high up in their tree. No woodpeckers on this trip. The southwest quadrant of the park is one place to see Lewisia. It is blooming in the rocks at the top. The beargrass and phlox are out on the scree slopes but the tiger lilly - columbine-valerian-paintbrush bonanza that we love to see is not yet blooming. Recommend waiting at least one week to see that. Snow free to the top. Buggy. View of Rainier, Adams and Saint Helens at the saddle is stupendous.