Shriner Peak — Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

Note: The section of SR 123 that accesses the trailhead for this hike will be closed Sept 2-30.

I got to the trailhead just after 8am and there were 5 or 6 cars in the pull-off with another 6 or so arriving after me over the course of the morning, so there wasn't much of a crowd on the trail. At least three parties were headed up for an overnight today.

The trail is in good condition though there are sections that have some vegetation encroaching from the sides and from above, mostly in the middle third of the hike. After passing the first in-your-face view of Rainier with its short side trail to a rocky overlook there are a lot of social trails so it pays to look ahead to keep on the main trail.

There is currently a fantastic section of ripe huckleberries that starts about three quarters of a mile before the summit. The berries are at or near peak, they are copious, and in many spots can be reached without even bending down due to the bushes being in the hillside uphill of the trail.