Skyline Trail Loop — Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019

The Mt. Rainier signature hike for regular people. Got to the parking lot around 9am and parked in the nearly full overflow parking. When we returned, cars were parked all down the road and there was a 2 mile backup to get into the park so arriving early is key. Being a summer weekend day, the lodge and visitor center were really busy and the trail was packed. Several dozen people with large packs on their way to the summit. Busiest at either end of the loop, the middle of the loop had significantly fewer people. You can't take a bad picture on this trail, it is gorgeous. Nice views of Mt. St Helens and Adams. Saw about 10 marmots at various points, all the people didn't seem to bother them. Some people were feeding the chipmunks at panorama point, and one guy had one in his lap. Respect nature - don't be that guy. This trail is rated as hard/difficult but its more moderate if you're not sprinting it. Saw some young children and larger people doing the loop and they were struggling but handling it. Being a loop trail, the ups and downs are mixed in nicely. If you do one trail in Rainier, this is the one.