1) Sunrise: Numerous trails, of various lengths and degrees of difficulty, begin from the Sunrise Visitor Center and wander through meadows filled with wildflowers during the peak bloom. Some of the best include:
Silver Forest Trail (Easy, 2 miles, 1 hour round-trip): This lovely stroll includes abundant wildflowers and breathtaking views of the White River Valley, Emmons Glacier, and Mount Rainier.
Nature Loop (Moderate, 1.5 miles, 45 minutes round-trip): The nature trail makes a short loop above the visitor center through the meadows of Yakima Park.
Berkeley Park (Strenuous, 7.0 miles, 5 hours round-trip): Although it takes most of a day to get there and back, Berkeley Park is one of the best places to go in search of abundant wildflowers. If you like, pick up a free backcountry permit at the visitor center and spend the night at the backcountry campsite.
Mount Fremont (Strenuous, 5.6 miles, 3.5 hours round-trip): Most people go to Mount Fremont Fire Lookout for its stunning views of Mount Rainier and Grand Park, but keep your eyes open for rare and beautiful wildflowers tucked into the cliff edges along the way.
2)
Tipsoo Lake and Naches Peak (Moderate, 3.5 miles, 2 hours
round-trip): Wildflowers grow thick around this beautiful subalpine lake.
Take a short stroll around the lake, or branch off on the longer and more
diverse Naches Peak Loop, which features different flowers on the wetter west
side and drier east side of the peak.
3) Shriner Peak (Strenuous,
8.0 miles, 5 hours round-trip): One of the steepest trails in the park climbs
through the forest to an old burn, where dry meadow flowers like bear grass
and paintbrush are abundant in the summer. A backcountry campsite is located
at the top, near the old fire lookout. There is no water along this trail
during most of the season, and little shade.
4) Silver Falls Trail (Moderate,
3.0 miles, 2 hours round-trip): This loop trail along the banks of the Ohanapecosh
River is one of the best places to look for forest wildflowers and mushrooms,
including many species uniquely found in the old-growth forest environment.
5) Stevens Canyon: West of Ohanapecosh,
the park road traverses spectacular Stevens Canyon. During the summer, watch
for wildflowers along the road. Later in the year, enjoy magnificent fall
colors as huckleberries, vine maples, and mountain ash turn scarlet and purple.
6) Bench and Snow Lakes (Moderate,
2.5 miles, 2 hours round-trip): This short trail crosses through an old burn
now filled with huckleberries, past two beautiful subalpine lakes. Diverse
wildflowers, delicious huckleberries, and fall colors can all be enjoyed in
season. There is a backcountry campsite at Snow Lake.
7) Pinnacle Peak (Moderate,
3.0 miles, 3 hours round-trip): Panoramic views and abundant wildflowers attract
hikers to this steep trail in the Tatoosh Range.
8) Paradise: Paradise was aptly
named for the stunning profusion of wildflowers that fill its meadows in late
July and early August. Plan to visit Paradise mid-week, or early or late in
the day, to avoid crowds and traffic. Trail options include:
Nisqually Vista (Easy, 1.2 miles, 45 minutes round-trip): Less steep than most trails at Paradise, this route loops through flower-filled meadows and subalpine firs to a view of the Nisqually Glacier.
Deadhorse Creek (Moderate, 2.5 miles, 1¾ hours round-trip): The flowers in this sheltered canyon bloom later but often more luxuriantly than anywhere else. Loop back on the Skyline Trail, or continue on to Glacier Vista.
Skyline Trail (Strenuous, 5.5 miles, 4½ hours round-trip): This trail gives you a grand tour of Paradise, passing Alta Vista, Glacier Vista, Panorama Point, Pebble Creek, and Sluiskin and
Myrtle Falls. The elevation ranges from 5400 to 7000 feet, with wet and dry, exposed and sheltered habitats. Shorter sections of the trail can be done, too.
Lakes Loop (Moderate, 5 miles, 4 hours round-trip): A great loop with views of Mount Rainier, the Tatoosh Range, Reflection Lakes, Paradise Valley, and abundant summer wildflowers and fall colors.
9)
Comet Falls and Van Trump Park (Strenuous, 3.2 miles, 2½
hours round-trip to Comet Falls): Look for diverse wildflowers in the forest
and rocky canyon environments along this rugged trail, or climb another steep
mile beyond the falls into a beautiful subalpine meadow.
10) Trail of the Shadows (Easy,
0.7 miles, 30 minutes round-trip): This easy trail takes you through the forested
edge of a meadow filled with mineral springs. Forest and marsh wildflowers
are common, especially in the spring, when the fragrance of skunk cabbage
fills the air.
11) Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground
(Strenuous, 13 miles, 8 hours round-trip): These beautiful meadows with wildflowers
and mirrored ponds are too far from the trailhead for an easy day-trip, but
perfect with an overnight stay at nearby Devil’s Dream backcountry camp.
12) Spray Park (Moderate, 6
miles, 3 hours round-trip): In the northwest corner of the park and a full
day’s hike round-trip from the trailhead at Mowich Lake, Spray Park
rewards the determined hiker with some of the most beautiful subalpine meadows
at Mount Rainier. Spend the night, if you like, in the backcountry campsite
at Eagle’s Roost.
