1) Enumclaw (www.enumclawchamber.com, 360-825-7666): A variety of services are available including groceries, dining, lodging, gas, and shopping. Stop by the jointly operated National Park Service and Forest Service information center (360-825-6585) as you drive out of town for maps and other area information.
2) Mud Mountain Dam (http://www.nws.usace.army.mil, 360-825-3211 or 206-764-3717): Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this flood control dam provides recreational opportunities including viewing the dam, picnicking, hiking, biking, a wading pool for children, or riding your horse in a scenic woodland setting.
3) Federation Forest State Park (www.parks.wa.gov, 360-663-2207): Enjoy the beauty and diversity of old-growth trees such as the Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and western redcedar. Enjoy the forest hiking along 12 miles of trails or short interpretive trails that are ideal for children. Visit the interpretive center, gift shop, or bring a lunch to the picnic area along the White River.
4) Greenwater: Groceries, dining, gas, and gift shops. This is the last town for services before entering the park. Gas is not available within Mount Rainier National Park.
5) Skookum Flats Trail and other Forest Service trails (www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/ activities/trails, 360-825-6585): The Skookum Flats Trail follows the White River for 8.2-miles one-way and ends at the park boundary. Other trail opportunities are available throughout the forest for all levels of hikers.
6) Silver Creek Information Station: Information and bookstore on US Forest Service and National Park Service areas.
7) Crystal Mountain (www.skicrystal.com, 360-663-3050 guest services, 360-663-2265 main office): After winter skiing and snowboarding have concluded, other opportunities abound during the summer including hiking, biking, dining, and a ski lift to the summit for panoramic views.
8) Enter Mount Rainier National Park passing under the north arch.
9) White River Entrance: Restrooms and information on hiking, backpacking, and other services are available at the White River Ranger Station.
10) Owyhigh Lakes Trail (Moderate, 7-miles, 3.5 hours roundtrip): This hike offers solitude amongst old-growth forests to subalpine meadows and lakes.
11) Summerland Trail (Moderate, 8.5 miles, 4 hours roundtrip): Hike from lowland forest to subalpine meadows with views of Mount Rainier, glaciers, streams, and wildlife. Search the higher slopes for mountain goats.
12) White River Campground: This campground is first-come first-served with 122 camp sites. Restrooms and picnic tables are available.
White River Patrol Cabin: Take a stroll back in time and discover the important role these cabins played in protecting the park.
Emmons Moraine Trail (Easy, 3-miles, 2 hours roundtrip): This hike begins as the Glacier Basin Trail following the White River and Inter Fork of the White River to expansive views of Mount Rainier and the Emmons Glacier. The first part of this trail offers cascading waterfalls and cool forests. Turn off on the spur trail to view the massive Emmons Glacier, the largest by area in the lower 48 states, with Mount Rainier towering above.
Glacier Basin Trail (Moderate, 7-miles, 4 hours roundtrip): Following in the footsteps of climbers, this trail continues to subalpine meadows, surrounded by mountains, and a backcountry camp. Beyond Glacier Basin climbers ascend the Inter Glacier to Camp Schurman, one of two high camps on Mount Rainier. Ascending the Inter Glacier requires specialized climbing gear. Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park.
13) Sunrise: Interpretive programs, snack bar, gift shop, bookstore, visitor center, exhibits, hiking, and restrooms are available. Multiple levels of hikes are available in the Sunrise area including:
Silver Forest Trail (Easy, 2-miles, 1 hour): This less frequented trail leads you through the remnants of a burned forest and subalpine meadows above the White River Valley. Spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the White River, glaciers, and other ridges expose some of the grandeur of the park.
Sunrise Nature Trail (Easy, 1.5-miles, 45 minutes roundtrip): This self-guided nature trail provides the opportunity to learn about the subalpine meadows and wildlife in the Sunrise area. Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Rainier, glaciers, and the Cascade Mountains.
Sourdough Ridge Trail to Dege Peak (Moderate, 4.2-miles, 2.5 hours roundtrip): Experience ridgeline hiking along the Sourdough Mountains with spectacular views of the Sunrise area, Mount Rainier, glaciers, subalpine meadows, wildlife, and the Cascade Mountain range.
First Burroughs Mountain Trail (Strenuous, 4.8-miles, 3 hours roundtrip): Ascending high onto First Burroughs Mountain, this trail leads you into the alpine, tundra-like environment with unobscured views of Mount Rainier. Following the top of this old lava flow from Mount Rainier, you feel as if you could almost touch the mountain.
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail (Strenuous, 5.6-miles, 3.5 hours roundtrip): This historic fire lookout provides expansive panoramic views of the northeast side of the park. The trail passes through subalpine meadows to rocky slopes with low growing plants adapted to the harsh alpine environment. Listen for the whistle of marmots, the “eek” sound from the small pika, and look for mountain goats that frequent the higher slopes, feeding on alpine plants.
Trail to Berkeley Park (Strenuous, 7-miles, 5 hours roundtrip): Hiking into Berkeley Park provides an opportunity to experience a sampling of the park’s wilderness. Towering mountains, subalpine meadows, multiple cascading streams, and wildlife excite the senses as you descend into this valley.
14) Shriner Peak Lookout (Strenuous, 8-miles, 5 hours roundtrip): This hike provides outstanding views of Mount Rainier and the Ohanapecosh Valley. From the historic fire lookout, enjoy 360 degree views of the park.
15) Ohanapecosh: Drive south on Highway 123 to the Ohanapecosh area. Interpretive programs, campground, visitor center, exhibits, bookstore, hiking, and restrooms are available.
Life Systems Trail (Easy, .5-miles, 30 minutes roundtrip): Explore this self-guided nature trail amongst the forests and the bubbling mineral water of the Ohanapecosh Hot Springs.
Silver Falls Trail (Easy, 3-miles, 2 hours roundtrip): Hike along the Ohanapecosh River through old-growth forests to a thundering 75-foot waterfall.
16) Travel north on Highway 123 to Stevens Canyon Entrance or see Alternate Routes below.
17) Stevens Canyon Road:
Grove of the Patriarchs (Easy, 1.3-miles, 1 hour roundtrip): This self-guided nature trail along the Ohanapecosh River provides the opportunity to experience an old-growth forest with 1,000 year old Douglas-fir and western redcedar trees towering high above you.
Box Canyon Trail (Easy, .5-mile, 30 minutes roundtrip): Follow the path of a glacier that has receded revealing evidence of polished slabs of rock. These rocks also show evidence of glacial movement with striations or scratch-marks caused by ice-embedded rocks scraping its surface.
Snow and Bench Lake Trail (Moderate, 2.5-miles, 2 hours roundtrip): Two lakes are the reward along a trail passing wildflower meadows in summer and autumn huckleberries.
Pinnacle Peak Trail (Moderate, 2.5-miles, 2 hours roundtrip): This trail winds high onto the rocky slopes of the Tatoosh Mountain Range. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views including Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood.
Lakes Loop Trail (Moderate, 5-miles, 4 hours): Enjoy views of Mount Rainier, subalpine meadows, lakes, and forests along this trail. This loop passes through Paradise circling along Mazama Ridge down to Reflection Lakes. Consider beginning your hike at Reflection Lakes.
18) Exit the park through the Nisqually Entrance in the southwest corner of the park.
19) Alternate Routes:
Drive south from Ohanapecosh to Highway 12 and travel to Packwood turning onto Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) to State Route 706; or
Continue to Morton and drive north on State Route 7.
