Midday start under blue skies from the spot on the side of 410. There were 2 other cars and we saw both of those groups within the first 1.5 miles, then had the trail to ourselves. Trail up to the viewpoint at 2.9 miles from the car was in great shape, aside from the very defined biker shortcuts. Not even mush debris on the trail. About 500 feet up from the viewpoint is a downed tree which can be crawled under or climbed over. 0.3 more miles up lies a bit messier problem. There's a downed tree about a foot off the ground, so you can't go under, and big enough you can't step over. It's very long so you can't go below the trail to cross with any more success. And it's on a steep pitch. There's is solid bark to grab onto and climb over though. There were a lot of branches from a second tree, but I dislodged and cleared most of them.

Around 3.75 miles - 4350 ft - we could feel the cold wind that always seems to be around there. We were surprised no snow yet at all. By 4.0 miles there was a bit of snow and ice. I stayed uphill from the ice and maybe sank in just above my ankles. It was patchy at this point and fine without traction. We did not go any further, so I cannot report on anything above. The south-facing hills across the way did have a lot of white though.

I completed a loop start/finish at Camp Sheppard. Took the Palisades Trail up to the lookouts. Was pleasantly surprised at only encountering a dusting of snow up to the 3rd viewpoint (looking down on Ranger Creek runway/camp). I encountered significant snow levels beginning about a half mile east near Ranger Peak. Snow and downed trees were most intense about a mile prior to and after the Palisades/Ranger Creek trail merge. Heading down the Ranger Creek side was the worst and more unsafe because of the steepness and wet snow. The smaller branches on trail were tolerable but the huge downed trees stacked on steep inclines just above the trail were scary. It was obvious it wouldn't take much for these trees to suddenly slide and crush/log flume me down the forest embankment. Very unsafe. It's going to require significant cleanup. The last 3-miles down to Hwy410/White River trail were in good shape.

The short version: lower part of trail is fine, lots of blowdown above the lookout point.

I was in a group of 6 heading to Little Ranger Peak starting from Camp Sheppard at 8 am. The low-lying part of the trail is in good condition and snow-free. Snow starts a little above the lookout point and gets to about a foot (or more) deep by the time you get to the ridge. There is also significant blowdown from the recent storm, particularly a few downed trees starting about halfway between the lookout point and the ridge (and more on the ridge itself. We turned around just short of where the trail passes the summit at about 12:10 pm. Going down was significantly easier, and we reached our cars again at about 4 pm.

Great little hike. Only saw three mountain bikers and one other hiker. Trail is well maintained and the forest is in good condition. Per the trail sign, it's only six miles to Little Range Peak. 

It as difficult to find the start of the trail. We parked at Skookum Flats - South Trailhead which has a nice parking lot. We then walked back to SR 410 and found the trail head 100 yards to the west. There's no sign and the parking area on SR 410 is nondescript.  

The view from the little ranger peak was nice. The solitude was amazing. 

Wanted a good workout and this delivered with 16 miles and 4000’ of gain. Most of the hike is spent in the woods with occasional views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding peaks. Took Palisades trail to Little Ranger then up Snoquera loop back to the White River trail. There is a nice stand of fireweed in bloom just past Little Ranger Peak where an old fire opened up the forest canopy. I also find some bumblebees and butterflies on some blooming thistle just below Sniquera. Other than that, just enjoy the woods. Snoquera falls (snow fed) was pretty much dry, and the rest of the creeks were trickles. It would be a more interesting hike in the spring but did fine for today.