The Eagle Peak Saddle hike is a great option in the Longmire area. At this time, the trail is nearly snow-free until about 1/3 mile from the saddle. There are lots of boot tracks through the snow, but using an app like Gaia would help keep you going in the right direction. As you begin the final switchbacks up to the saddle, the trail is snow-free again until you actually get to the saddle. No need for microspikes. Trekking poles are helpful.
Patches of avalanche lilies and beargrass are starting to bloom in the forest. (If you want a great Mt. Rainier flower guide, check this out: https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm)
Though parking lots at Longmire were packed, I only saw a dozen other hikers on the trail today.
Comments
Stephen on Eagle Peak Saddle
What is your best guess for how much snow was at the saddle? Just trying determine how soon the saddle might be snow free. It has pretty good sun exposure so I'm wondering it might be snow free by this weekend.
Posted by:
Stephen on Jul 05, 2022 03:56 PM
Puyallup on Eagle Peak Saddle
There is a lot of snow in the trees and open area before the final push to the saddle. The saddle itself has some sizeable bare spots, but quite a bit of snow in the areas towards Eagle Peak and Chutla Peak. I think it will be a couple of weeks before this melts out.
Posted by:
Puyallup on Jul 05, 2022 07:50 PM
Thanks
Thanks for the info (and your trip report). Happy hiking!
Posted by:
Stephen on Jul 06, 2022 11:40 AM