We stayed in Packwood, WA, and approached the mountain from three different trails over three days. When we were here at the same time of year in 2020, wildfire smoke limited our hiking choices. This time, we had beautiful weather, and clear views of the mountain every day.
Three hikes on Mt Rainier
10/1 – Paradise/Panorama Point via Golden Gate and Skyline Trails
My favorite hike in Paradise – up through the meadows along the Golden Gate Trail, along the skyline ridge toward the mountain; and then circling back down along the Nisqually Glacier Valley, and through the flaming huckleberry foliage on Alta Vista. Today was quite windy at the top. We had a clear view of the mountain most of the way, then watched a lenticular cloud form as we descended (5 miles, 1600 feet).
We began at the John Muir steps near the Visitor Center in Paradise.
Huckleberry bushes and aster seed heads were glowing in the autumn sun.
Alta Vista on the left as we walked toward the Golden Gate trail.
Edith Falls
The most photographed cascade just above Edith Falls, near the bridge.
The Tatoosh Range to the south
A bear grazing in the meadow
Looking back at the Paradise Valley and Alta Vista as we continued up the trail.
I prefer the gently graded switchbacks on the Golden Gate trail to the granite steps on the Skyline trail.
My husband found a personal lenticular cloud when he reached the Skyline ridge.
Mt Rainier was still cloudless, as we approached.
Sparse vegetation along the glaciated slopes. Views unfurling to the south. We found a slightly sheltered spot near here to pause for a lunch break.
Walking along a favorite craggy section along the upper cirque, approaching the ridge.
We stopped for views at the high point on the ridge, but didn’t linger long because of the strong wind.
View south from our high point – Mt Adams and Mt St Helens beyond the Tatoosh Range. And Mt Hood is right in the middle, if you squint.
A lenticular cloud was just starting to accumulate around the peak.
Closer views – toward the Nisqually Glacier to the west,
The top of Mt Rainier,
and the eastern arm, again, with waterfall.
Another wide view as we began our descent, hoping to get out of the wind.
Long view down the Nisqually Valley, as we continued south. Someone pointed out two mountain goats down on the lip of the moraine.
Zoom view of the mountain goats
And another look back at the edge of the Nisqually Valley – a much bigger cloud has accumulated
Much lower now, we walked through the glowing huckleberry bushes on the east side of Alta Vista
Looking back at the 8000 feet of relief to the top of the mountain
And a slightly wider view.
After we finished our hike, we made a short stop at Reflection Lakes.
Reflection Lakes – but no reflection today – too much wind.
Reflection Lake close up.
The last wildflowers – paintbrush and fireweed, on the edge of Relection Lake.
Aggressive jays flew around me as I rested by the lake.
And one last stop on the drive back to Packwood, at the Bench Lake hairpin turn on Stevens Canyon road.
10/2 – Chinook Pass/Naches Peak Loop
We first hiked this loop in 2020, with smoke-obscured views. Today was absolutely gorgeous in every way, and an easier hike compared to yesterday (5 miles, 600 feet).
We began by hiking the short loop around the lake, looking toward Yakima Peak.
Clouds wafting, huckleberries glowing
Up the trail, through the huckleberries and asters…
The trail crosses Hwy 410, and joins the PCT south trail.
Looking up at Naches Peak
Small trailside lake – a good rest stop,
with company – chipmunks,
and ground squirrels; Naches Peak beyond.
Continuing up the trail, looking back at the lake.
Pasque flower seed head
Farther along the eastern extent of the trail – view eastward down to Dewey Lake
We “turned the corner”, heading westward again, to see Mt Rainier in all her glory – the perfect lunch stop!
Close up of the top of the mountain
We walked along huckleberry-lined trails all the way back,
With plenty of views of the mountain, and the Cowlitz chimneys…
Upper Tipsoo Lake, near the trailhead.
This was a fabulous hike!
10/3 – Sunrise/Fremont Lookout
The mountain was out, as were all the mountains north all the way to Canada, along with some bonus mountain goats in the valley below (6 miles, 1000 feet).
We started at the Sunrise Trailhead, and up Sourdough Ridge, with Mt Rainier towering above us.
The top.
Glaciers.
I saw a pica in one of the scree slopes along the trail.
The trail passes Frozen Lake
And then turns northward toward Fremont Lookout
Fremont Lookout – we stopped on the nearby rocky outcrop for a lunch break, admiring the views.
Clear view of Mt Rainier to the south
All the mountains north to the Canadian border and beyond. We could just see the white peak of Mt Baker.
Looking through the lookout cabin to Mt Rainier
Berkeley Park
Eventually we returned down the trail, walking toward Mt Rainier. Another hiker pointed out a herd of mountain goats below us in Berkeley Park
There were at least a dozen.
We watched them for a while, as they grazed their way down stream,
And we eventually made our way back to the Sunrise trailhead… It was another fabulous hike at Mt Rainier!
Friday, 10/4 – We drove back to Portland in the rain, grateful for our three beautiful days around Mt Rainier.
Margaret Quilts 