Day Hikes in Mt. Rainier NP
Find day hikes via a map
MPG V2.7, July 2010
The purpose of the day hike description and map Web pages are to provide the basic information and resources on day hikes in Mt. Rainier NP. Additional similar Web pages are available for backcountry hikes with the corresponding map of hikes Web pages.
Introduction
Many, and some will say most, of the photos taken of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Rainier NP are taken from locations along the roads and highway in the NP. This was intentional by the early developers and planners of the NP to make it a visibly scenic national park by automobile. The first roads in the NP were engineered and built with this in mind, something many photographers over the one hundred and ten year history of the NP learned and used.
But for all those photos, there a many more locations and opportunities for photos available on the day hikes, which are easily accessible from visitors areas (parking with a short hike) or from trailheads alongside the highways through the NP. All it takes is a little experience, some preparation, and some basic hiking equipment.
Information
There is a wealth of information on day hikes in Mt. Rainier NP from books, listed below, outdoor recreation organizations and personal Websites and blogs, which any search engine will find. The National Park Service at Mt. Rainier NP has a short list of easily accessible day hikes, (overview), a longer list of day and other hikes, along with the latest trail conditions.
Any of these day hikes provide many photography opportunities of the variety of scenes in the NP, as I note in my photography guide and photo tips along some of my personal tips. And many provide views of Nt. Rainier and other mountains and mountain ranges in the Cascade Mountains (photo of Grand Park, above, from Freemont Lookout).
Conditions
When hiking in Mt. Rainier NP it is important to remember trail and hiking conditions can change from environmental and weather conditions. Despite the latest information on the trail conditions and weather, you should always be prepared for worsening conditions and weather, and be flexible with your plans
That said it pays to have the latest information on the conditions and facilities (roads, visitors centers, trails, etc.) before you go, and ask at the information centers when you're there. You can get some of this information from the NPS Website and from news and information Web page with the map.
In addition, you should consider the notes about the conditions in the NP, which are listed below for the summer 2010 schedule.
Carbon River Road.-- Due to the damage from the annual winter storms and floods from 2006 through 2008 the Carbon River road is closed at the NP boundary. The trailhead starts there and continues along the route of the old road to the Ipsut Campground, 5.0 miles from the entrance. This distance is included in the trail information on the map, but not in older hiking guides, those published before 2008.
Mowich Lake Road.-- This road closes every October-November and reopens late June to early July, after the NPS has checked the road for damage from winter storms or snows or from landslides. It's open during the winter to the campground to hikers. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays.
Stevens Canyon Road.-- This road closes every October-November and reopens late May or June depending on the snowpack, snowmelt and damage from snow storms and landslides. In some years the road has restricted access or traffic or is closed for repairs for periods during the summer.
Shuttle Service.-- The NPS runs shuttle service on weekends from Ashford to Longmire and on to Paradise from mid-June to early Sept. This reduces the parking at Paradise when the parking lot is full, usually by late morning to early afternoon. The service is free with frequent trips and stops, see information and schedule.
Bridges on trails.-- Some trails cross creeks or rivers. These bridges are usually rebuilt after the winter-spring snowmelt runoff. If a bridge is not there, use caution trying to cross the river, and unless you have experience wading glacial-fed rivers, consider the old adage about discretion being better than valor. Also, during snowmelt season, the diurnal flow usually peaks in the afternoon and evening, so conditions between morning and later in the day can be significantly different.
Photography
For doing photography on day hikes, the basic information is to remember to pack for both your hike and your photography, and most importantly, don't overburden yourself with too heavy or too big of a pack and find yourself miles from the trailhead tired and sore. And don't skimp on the basic safety and emergency equipment, like a first aid kit, food and clothing.
As for photography equipment, it's best to determine the type and subject of your photography, eg. scenic, landscape, nature, macro, etc., and optimize your equipment, or if possible in your schedule, plan additional hikes. It's the idea of not carrying equipment all day to find it wasn't used and was essentially dead weight dall day.
The last idea is pack the photo equipment in the pack that's provide the best way to carry the weight and still provide the access to your photogaphy equipment. There are photo backpacks which do this, but my experience is that most of these lack the space or arrangement for normal hiking stuff, like water, foods, clothes, etc. And most normal backpacks aren't well suited for photography equipment.
This is another of the compromises necessary for both hiking and photography. I'm an advocate for not skrimping on hiking and emergency gear, if only following the minimalist approach with the least gear inclusive of the essential and emergency gear. This is because it's often easy to misjudge the distance and time back from the destination to find you're either hiking near or after sunset or looking for a place to camp, the latter is only permissible without a permit for designating campsites.
With respect to photography gear, you can read my suggestions based on my experience in the NP for 35mm equipment, which is usually two (digital and film) cameras and 3-4 lenses with a Gitzo 1275 tripod and Linhof Pro-II ballhead; the tripod and head for their extreme lightness, durability and ease of use. For large format, it's one camera, two lenses and the requisite film holders, filters, etc. with one 35mm camera and lens and the same tripod/head.
Photo Ops
The list of photo locations and opportunities in the NP are endless. The key is focusing on the trails for your photography. That said, it's sometimes hard to determine which trails and locations which will provide those opportunities. You can get clues from the trail information and the trail itself, namely the geography and environment of the trail, which is available from the many trail books and a map of the NP.
The geogaphy of the trail is the location and route of the trail from the trailhead, most of which start in the lowland forest, some which start near the edge of the forest and progress to the open meadow, alpine and glacial environments, and some which start in the alpine environments in the NP.
Almost all of the forest trails offer at least partial views of Mt. Rainier, but many of these start and traverse through the forest for miles only to find partial or more views of the mountain at river crossing or occasional viewpoints. These often will connect to other trails which continue to higher elevations and the open areas of the NP.
The trails which start at the edge of the forest and especially those starting at the edge of the open environments will provide extensive and unobstructive views of the mountain along with expansive views of the alpine meadows and areas and the glacial environments around the mountain.
In general the quadrant of the NP of the trailhead will provide the information for the type of trails described above, meaning in forest, edge of forest or open alpine and glacial environments. These are generalized by area below.
Northwest Area.-- Most of the trails in this area start in the forest and go for some distance (3-5+ miles) before getting to treeline or viewpoints. Some of the trails off the south side of the Carbon River trail to Ipsut campground lead to open areas or viewpoints. The trail to Ipsut campground, now a backcountry camp is five miles from the trailhead at the NP entrance.
Above Ipsut campground the trails lead to the different open and alpine areas on the north and northwest areas of the NP, but many are beyond day hikes. The trails near or from the Mowich Lake offer several trails to open areas with viewpoints or alpine areas and meadows. These include Tolme Peak and lookout and Spray Park which are easily within distances for day hikes.
Southwest Area.-- Most of the trails in this areas also start in the forest, but many provide partial views along the route or lead to or connect to other trails to higher elevations alpine areas or viewpoints, most of which are easily moderate to long day hikes. These include Lake George/Gobbler's Knob, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, Eagle Peak, and Emerald Ridge.
Paradise Area.-- All the trails in this area either start near, at or above treeline, and offer short distances to expansive views of Mt. Rainier and the NP with some offering extensive views of the Cascade Mountain Range to the east. In addition many trails offer excellent photo opportunies for the best waterfalls in the NP.
Southeast Area.-- Most of the trails in this area, like the southwest and northwest areas, start in the forest and eventually lead to alpine areas and viewpoints, but most are longer day hikes or backcountry. This area is best for the old-growth forest, geologic features and other photo opportunities.
Northeast Area.-- The trails in this area offer both forest and alpine trails. Those starting at Sunrise are all above treeline for easy short or moderate day hikes offering expansive views of Mt. Rainier and the NP. The other trails start in the forest and provde some of the shortest to glacier viewpoints or high alpine lakes.
So the different areas offers tons of photo locations and opportunities with short to moderate, and occasionally long day hikes. And it only takes a few resources and a good map to decide which to hike, explore and photograph Mt. Rainier and the NP.
Advisories
The first and most important advisory is to carry a backpack with the ten essentials. The second is to carry adequate emergency stuff, namely water or water treatment gear, food, clothes and maybe overnight shelter. It all depends on the distance you will hike from the trailhead for the day hike and the need for extra stuff in the event of an emergency.
The third is know or have sufficient information about the trail before you go, especially if you haven't been in the area or on the trail before. It's easy to overestimate your abilities and time, your abilities to achieve your destination for the photo location or opportunities, and time to spend photographing before you find you won't get back during daylight.
Another note is about the wildflower and alpine meadows.
Stay on the designated paths and trails in the meadows, especially when snow covered.
You may not leave a trace, but others may not be so cautious and careful about their footprint in environmentally sensitive areas. This is especially important in the late snowmelt season where hiking on the thin snowpack can damage the fragile meadows underneath. In addition you will run the risk of being given a ticket by a Park Ranger for violating the rules (which all visitors accept when entering the NP).
Advisory about Guns.-- Beginning February 22nd, openly carrying guns in the NP is legal and concealed with a legal permit. However, there are a number of conditions, which you can find here with links to additional information.
It is illegal to carry a gun indoors and it is illegal to use or fire a gun anywhere in the NP.
This is especially important in the visitors areas, the campgrounds, on the trails, and in the backcountry. You can only carry a gun and nothing else. In addition the NPS has now trained and instructed the park and backcountry rangers to treat all visitors as if they are carrying a gun. This applies to everyone unless it is clear the visitor does not have or is not carrying a gun.
It is still my personal opinion and recommendation that you leave any guns at home. They are unnecesary while visiting the NP and they are unnecessary hiking in the backcountry. There has not been a serious injury or death in the backcountry related to incidents with wildlife, and there are other measures better taken to protect yourself and others in the backcountry.
In addition, openly carrying a gun only endangers everyone else and indicates to them that you are insensitive and inconsiderate of others to understand guns are not necessary to enchance the visitor experience. There are park and backcountry rangers, some with firearms, who are trained and experienced in protecting visitors. They don't need or want your help, especially with your gun.
Personal Notes
There isn't much I can add as personal notes outside of my own experience which isn't much with the wealth of experience of the many other hikers in Mt. Rainier NP. I've done all my hiking and photography in Mt. Rainier NP solo, and can add that it's easy and safe to do if you stay on the trails.
I would only go off-trail in the forest if you have the off-trail navigation skills and experience. In the higher elevation alpine areas, use caution to stay in the areas allowed, and do not travel on glaciers without experienced hikers with the proper equipment.
Resources
Currently there are three excellent books, nos. 1-3 below, and two pamphlets, no. 4, for day hikes in Mt. Rainier NP. Please note the change about the Carbon River (Northwest Quadrant) entrance above since the extra distance is not included in some of the descriptions in these books. This does limit the number of day hikes from this entrance to the moderate or harder, some hikes requiring a backcountry permit for overnight camping to get to the trailhead.
- -- Day HIkes Mount Rainier by Heidi Schneider and Mary Skjelset, Falcon Press
- -- Day Hike Mount Rainier by Ron Judd, Sasquatch Books
- -- Day Hiking Mount Rainier by Don Nelson, Mountaineers Books
- -- 12 Short Hikes Mt Rainier NP, Sunrise and Paradise volumes by Jeffrey Smoot, Falcon Press
In addition to hiking guides, you will need to remember two things. The first is having a good daypack with the ten essentials along with other things you want to take with you. The second is simple, a map. And you can find sources for maps and download DRG files of USGS topo maps.
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