Mount Rainier National Park southwest area trails · Southwest Area Trails in Mount Rainier National Park
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Southwest Area Trails in Mount Rainier National Park
Southwest Area Trails in Mount Rainier National Park
Bench Lake Trail (2.5 miles). Starting from the trailhead one and a half miles east of the Reflection Lakes parking area on the south side of the road, this trail is a succession of gradual ups and downs as it crosses a series of low ridges and rises 700 feet. The path first reaches Bench Lake after 0.75 miles, then continues another 0.5 miles to Snow Lake. Most years these lakes do not melt out until late July and the trail can be muddy until then.
Camp Muir Trail (9 miles). This hike begins in Paradise, rises through snowfields, and ends 4600 feet higher on the slopes of the mountain. The hike is long, arduous and potentially hazardous if the weather turns nasty.
Comet Falls Trail (3.8 miles). Starting four miles east of Longmire on the road towards Paradise, this trail visits one of the highest waterfalls in the park, Comet Falls. For two miles the trail climbs steadily up hill until it reaches the base of Comet Falls. From there it switchbacks 0.6 mile uphill to the junction with the Rampart Ridge Trail. Van Trump Park is to the right, where the trail winds through the meadows until it dead ends in 0.5 miles.
Eagle Peak Trail (7.2 miles). This trail climbs over 2900 feet from the trailhead near the Longmire museum to the peak. For the first two miles the trail ascends steeply through dense forest to a small stream, then continues another mile to a meadow. Beyond the meadow the trail is much steeper and rocky as it climbs the final 0.5 miles to the 5700 ft. saddle.
Emerald Ridge Trail (17.2 miles). Starting from the Puyallup River trailhead (near the Nisqually entrance), this trail climbs over 2100 feet to Emerald Ridge, named for its emerald green subalpine meadows. During late July and August the meadows showcase a variety of brilliantly colored flowers. The first 1.5 miles of trail climbs gradually through old-growth forest to the South Puyallup Camp. From the camp, the trail becomes very rocky and climbs more steeply.
Gobblers Knob Trail (12.8 miles). The trailhead is located near the Nisqually entrance, near the end of the Westside Road (hike 4 miles up the closed portion of the road to Round Pass and the trailhead). Lake George is a pristine mountain lake, nestled in the northwest shoulder of Mount Wow. The rock outcrop of Gobblers Knob is situated at the north end of Mount Wow, a mountain whose name means "goat." The hike to Lake George is easy with a gradual incline. It is popular for families with small children. The hike up to Gobblers Knob Lookout is an additional 1.5 miles and much steeper.
Golden Lakes Trail (34.5 miles). From the trailhead at the end of Westside Road, the trail leads to an area of fifteen or more small lakes was so named because of the golden sunset colors reflected from the lakes' surfaces. The meadows of Sunset Park are abundant with wildflowers in mid-summer and are host to black bears foraging on the plentiful supply of huckleberries early in the fall.
Indian Henrys Hunting Ground (via Kautz Creek - 11.5 miles). The trail begins near the Kautz Creek Picnic Area and ascends 3000 feet, passing by Kautz Creek and through an old growth forest before rapidly climbing to the south flank of Mt Ararat. The trail soon enters a series of meadows before climbing a final ridge and descending to the Ranger Cabin in the meadows of Indian Henrys. These areas are the home of several bears as well as deer and other animals.
Indian Henrys Hunting Ground (from Longmire - 13 miles). The trail begins at Longmire and later joins the Wonderland Trail before connecting with the Rampart Ridge Trail. Scenery includes old growth forests, mountain meadows, and mountain lakes before reaching the Ranger Patrol Cabin in the meadows of Indian Henrys. Total elevation gain is 2400 feet.
Klapatche Park Trail (21 miles). Beginning at the end of the West Side Road, this trail climbs along a closed road and then rises another 1700 feet as it passes by a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, slopes dotted with mountain goats, breathtaking views of Mount Rainier before arriving at a high mountain meadow. Backcountry campsites at Klapatche Park are often full during summer.
Lake George Trail (9.8 miles). The Lake George trail travels for four miles along the closed portion of the West Side Road before gradually rising 390 feet to the pristine mountain lake.
Narada Falls Trail (9 miles). Starting across the road from the Longmire museum, this trail climbs 1700 feet as it crosses the Nisqually River, continues along the west side of the Paradise River, and rises to Narada Falls.
Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 miles). Starting from the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, this easy loop trail leads through a high-country meadow and offers excellent views of Mt. Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier.
Pinnacle Peak Trail (2.5 miles). The trail begins with a gradual ascent from the parking area at Reflection Lakes but soon becomes, and remains, a steep climb to the 5920 foot saddle where the trail ends. Hiking boots are recommended since this trail has either a snow or loose rock surface all summer. From the saddle to the top of Pinnacle Peak is a precipitous scramble on loose, unstable rock. Hikers wishing to get to the top should use extreme caution and have proper equipment.
Rampart Ridge Trail (4.6 miles). Also known as "The Ramparts," this ridge is the remnant of an ancient lava flow which originated at the summit of Mount Rainier. The loop can be hiked in either direction, but going clockwise keeps Mount Rainier in front more of the time and is thus recommended. The hike begins near the National Park Inn and climbs steeply through dense forest to the top of the ridge. Once on the ridgetop it is 1.3 miles of relatively level hiking before starting the descent along the Wonderland Trail back to Longmire.
Skyline Trail (5 miles). Starting from the Paradise parking lot this loop trail climbs 2 miles until reaching Panorama Point, where a toilet is provided for hikers. Past Panorama Point the trail begins its one mile descent to the junction with the Golden Gate Trail. Another 0.75 miles and the Skyline Trail reaches the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial and its junction with the Paradise Glacier Trail. From here it descends into the Paradise Valley, then climbs slightly to Myrtle Falls and finally back to Paradise.
Snow Lake Trail (2.5 miles). Starting from a trailhead 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes, this trail climbs to Bench Lake, named for the flat area around the lake that is called "The Bench." The trail is a succession of gradual ups and downs as it crosses a series of low ridges. The path first reaches Bench Lake after 0.75 of a mile, then continues another 0.5 mile to Snow Lake. Most years these lakes do not melt out until late July and the trail can be muddy until then.
Trail of the Shadows (0.5 mile). A self-guiding trail starting from the National Park Inn that leads past an early homestead and numerous plant and flower species.
Van Trump Park Trail (5.8 miles). Starting from a parking lot four miles east of Longmire (parking is often full), the trail climbs 2000 feet to Comet Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the park, and then onwards to Van Trump Park. For two miles the trail climbs steadily up hill until it reaches the base of Comet Falls. From there it switchbacks 0.6 mile uphill to the junction with the Rampart Ridge Trail. Van Trump Park is to the right, where the trail winds through the meadows until it dead ends in 0.5 mile.
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Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.