Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
The name "Laughingwater Creek" conjures up a nice stroll alongside a bubbling creek, but this trail mostly keeps hikers far above any running water. At several spots early in the hike, it is possible to hear the creek, but not to see it. In fact, there is only one point, halfway up the trail, where a short side trail provides access to the stream.
From the parking strip, cross the highway and start hiking uphill on a trail that is usually wide enough for two people to hike side-by-side. After 1.9 miles, the trail crests at a ridge and drops a few feet to a saddle. On the left (north) side of the trail is a small pond, often filled with mosquito larvae, at roughly 3000 feet. Old-growth trees along the trail are impressive.
The trail continues a couple more miles uphill and reaches a high point as it crosses a swampy meadow at 5000 feet. This area may be the source of Laughingwater Creek. The trail descends, losing 150 feet of elevation on its way to the National Park Patrol Cabin, which can be found beside two of the three lakes named Three Lakes.
There is a small, flat area between these two lakes - just beyond the cabin - that may tempt you, but signs warn campers away from this spot. Instead, prospective campers should look for the two designated and numbered campsites, or the single group camp near the cabin.
The third, and largest, of the Three Lakes is another 0.2 miles past the cabin and a total of six miles from the trailhead. It is actually just outside the National Park Boundary and is part of the William O. Douglass Wilderness. This is a beauty of a lake, and its lakeshore is not as trampled as the first two lakes. Please do your part to keep it that way.
Hikers can continue another half mile to a viewpoint of one more small lake, just as the Laughingwater Creek Trail reenters Mount Rainier National Park, or keep going another 0.75 miles past that spot to reach the PCT.
Historical Note: Old topo maps may show a trail branching off prior to the swampy area, but it cannot be seen. Nor are any of the branch trails north to Sheep Lake (leaving at the high point) or south to East Boundary Trail distinctly visible. None of them are marked, although both are shown on the Green Trails Map No. 271.
Trailhead
