Trip Report

Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge - Emerald Ridge Loop, South Puyallup Trail & Wonderland Trail — Sunday, Jun. 29, 2025

Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise

Trip Report By

Lisa Elliott

WTA Member

300

Type of Hike

Day hike

Trail Conditions

Obstacles on trail:
    Trees down across trail,
    Bridge out,
    Mud/Rock slide or washout.

Road

Road suitable for all vehicles

Bugs

Bugs were not too bad

Snow

Intermittent snow - not hard to cross

Wildflowers blooming

***The gate entry back-up started about 7:15 am. There is a sign now that reads "Have your ID and park pass or payment ready". When I left at 5:30 there was still a back-up to get in.

Parking at Westside Rd was almost full.

If you like navigation, route finding, large boulder climbing (hopping if your legs are long enough) and navigating through huge downed timber, then this is your hike. While Emerald Ridge to South Puyallup Camp and trail to WestsideRs melting out nicely this loop has all the above plus the views.

Take the Westside Rd up to an unmaintained trailhead, trail sign says "hazardous trail closed" but we were told it was passable by the park rangers the day prior.

Next, follow the Tahoma Creek approximately 1 mile over the rock bed. Continue on the trail over blow downs, stumps, then pop back out to the creek again for large boulder balancing until rejoining the former intact what's left trail. Trail sections beyond this have the need for all fours at times up and over stumps after this.

Once through all the washouts and downed timber delays, continue on the old trail until the Wonderland junction. We visited the Tahoma Suspension Bridge (bridge deck has about 6 missing boards and one spot with 2 missing boards (quite a hole).

Emerald Ridge was breathtaking with upclose views of the Tahoma and Puyallup glaciers. Rocky trail footing made for slow going down until So Puyallup Camp.

The loop was close to 14.5 miles and 3200' gain. The snow is visible on just a few spots at 5200' and hidden under the trees at 4900'. Not a nav issue or no need for micro spikes.

Thanks to the MORA staff who cut through a number of blowdowns.

Always a lovely day at my favorite national park with The Mountaineers