173
1 photo
Beware of: trail conditions

17 people found this report helpful

 

Found a pair of microspikes on the trail. If you lost some on one of the trails I ran please write a comment with where you lost them and a description of them (brand, color, etc), and I will re-unite you with your spikes. 

I ran the Snoquera falls loop actually on Saturday, and Palisades Cliff trail, Ranger Creek trail and White River trail loop on Sunday.

Snoquera Falls: trail is in generally good condition, with 2 downed trees close to the top (doing the loop clockwise) going up. A large 20" tree is across the trail coming down, less than 1/4 mile from the WR trail (and the trail that connects to the Camp Shepherd trailhead parking.

WR trail: good condition, with 2 easy step-over trees between Camp Shepherd and the Snoquera falls trail (heading West from CS).

Palisades: no obstacles in the first half, then a few trees down above 3900 ft, including a rotten leaner above the trail that's definitely a hazard on a windy day. Once you get to the burnt area at 5000ft it's an obstacle course. About 60 trees down before the junction with Ranger Creek trail. Snow started at around 4500 ft.

Ranger Creek trail: snow near the top, about 25 trees down in the upper half, above Little Ranger viewpoint trail. Tread on upper switchbacks needs work.

Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Apr. 20, 2024

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
2 photos
Beware of: trail conditions

4 people found this report helpful

 

Started this hike from the Coral Pass Road, FS 7174, where the gate is currently closed for uphill travel.  Followed the White river Trail until the junction with the Little Ranger Peak trail.  Followed this trail to the top, Dalles Ridge, and returned same way.  White River Trail mostly in good shape with a few minor areas of where the trail has sloughed off leaving a short section of narrow trail.  The Little Ranger Peak trail is mostly in good shape at least to the viewpoint at about half way up.  The trail from here has multiple tress down across the trail, which all but one is almost of no consequence.   There is one spot with several small trees down that takes a little effort to get through, but really isn't much of a problem.  Up near the end there is one switchback where a tree has fallen and really messed up that corner, its a little slippery going up, and even more so coming down.  At the top there was light covering of snow pretty which along with numerous limbs etc., made seeing the Palisades trail very difficult.

Overall the trail is in pretty good shape, and was really an enjoyable hike.  This round trip was just over 14 miles.  If you park at the small area along Hiway 410, about a mile past the boy scout camp, you can take about 4 miles off this trip.

Palisades, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Feb. 9, 2024

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
4 photos
Beware of: trail conditions

17 people found this report helpful

 

We arrived at the Palisade trailhead around 8:45 am and discovered that our car was the only one there. There was no outhouse available. The trail was in good condition, with four to five downed trees crossing the path. All except one were easy to navigate around. There was one water creek to cross and depending on your balance and ability to hop on rocks, your boots may get wet.

Snow was present after roughly one mile of trekking, intermittently appearing on the way to the first viewpoint, North Snoquera Point. After that, the trail was covered in a thin layer of snow, approximately 0.5 inches deep. In some areas, the snow was powder fresh and deeper, ranging from 4-6 inches to even 10-12 inches after the fifth viewpoint. We continued our trek toward Little Ranger Peak, summited it, signed the register, took some pictures, and then began our return journey.

Upon our return, we found the stair flight a little slippery. The morning snow covering the boulder/rocks had melted, revealing a beautiful display of moss. We were able to catch a few seconds of views at all of the viewpoints. Despite the cloudy and foggy conditions, the sun attempted to break through, offering brief glimpses of blue sky.

Bottom line, we tried to proceed onto the Ranger Creek Trail and complete the loop back to the car, but unfortunately, we were unable to do so. Approximately 0.5 miles after Little Ranger Peak, we encountered a significant blowdown, we decided to turn back.

 
 
 

Palisades, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Dec. 13, 2023

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
3 photos
Happy Hiking Mommies
WTA Member
100

14 people found this report helpful

 

Was able to complete the loop due to low snow pact even at the higher elevations. I did the loop clockwise and parked at the trailhead just east of the skookum falls viewpoint. The first crossing of Dalles creek was easy since 2 logs and some rocks keep you dry. The falls are flowing nicely. Besides a few cold spots that are sustaining the snow the trail is snow free until you make the final approach to Ranger Peak(about 4800 ft). Even then it is easy to navigate and did not require spikes. The ridge line past the Peak is where the snow is deepest but many cut logs are exposed so easy to follow the trail. The snow did persist farther down the Ranger Creek trail to about 4500 ft. I had not done this loop before but had come up from both directions so it was nice to complete the loop. The portion past the 3rd viewpoint along the ridge is a beautiful section with great views. As an added benefit I only saw one person and his lab, Daisy, all day long. Some nice patches of witches butter. Saw 3 douglas squirrels and a herd of elk along the section near Camp Sheppard.

Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Aug. 19, 2023

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
4 photos
D_Law
WTA Member
200
  • Wildflowers blooming

4 people found this report helpful

 

Air was relatively clear when we left, but as we got closer even The Mountain disappeared in the smoke. We pulled off along 410 with a couple cars and headed up. I could taste the smoke on the tip of my tongue - almost burning plastic-like. It dried our mouths, so we kept hydrated. Trail is in great shape. No obstructions and only a little bit of dust near the junction with Palisades. We saw a group of 5 and a couple with their dog all at the same time and a pair of bikers were up at the junction. We did eventually got used to the smoke smell. As we entered the burn area, we started seeing fireweed, but it was odd as there were patches of dying fireweed with one or two flowering stalks right in the middle. The higher we got, the more the flowers prevailed. Even saw some Aster, Lupine, and even some baneberry. It was great actually seeing some flowers, but they were definitely on their way out. No views today, but a great hike and a nice contrast from last week on Old Si.