National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Mount Rainier National ParkEmmons Glacier toe and moraine
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Mount Rainier National Park
Eagle Peak Trail
 
Trail route from Longmire to Eagle Peak/ SW.
A map of the Eagle Peak Trail route from Longmire. Click on the MAP for a larger printable map. Use of a topographic map is recommended.
 

Trail Description:

 

 

 


 

Distance, round-trip:

7.2 miles

Elevation gain:

2955 feet

Hiking time, round-trip:

5 hours

Wilderness camps:

No

This peak was originally known as Sim-layshe, a Native American word for eagle. When the Longmire family settled nearby, George Longmire anglicized the name to Eagle Peak.

From the National Park Inn, drive past the building with the flagpole, through the employee housing area and across a suspension bridge. Continue .1 mile and park in front of the Community Building. Walk a short distance back up the road toward the bridge. The trailhead is on the right about 50' before the bridge. As an alternative, park near the Longmire Museum or National Park Inn and walk to the trailhead. It is located 50' beyond the bridge on the left.

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 .5 mile to the 5700 ft. saddle where the trail ends.

 

 


Along the
Trail:


Most of the trail lies in virgin forest where hikers can enjoy the beauty of tall timber and look for wildlife among the tree branches and forest understory. Lush subalpine flower fields surround the last .5 mile of the trail. Panoramic views await the hearty hiker who reaches Eagle Peak Saddle!


Backpacking:


There is no designated camp along this trail nor atop the Tatoosh Range; however, crosscountry camping opportunities exist for backpackers who are skilled in route finding and minimum impact techniques and wish to camp in a rugged location. Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.

 

Drawing of a trail through tall trees.
Trail Conditions
Planning a trip into the Mount Rainier backcountry? Find out what the trails are like before you go.
more...
Mount Rainier National Park
Wilderness Trip Planning: get the maps you need.
Wilderness Trip Planning
more...
Floyd Schmoe, Mount Rainier's first full-time Park Naturalist.  

Did You Know?
Floyd Schmoe was Mount Rainier's first full-time Park Naturalist. In 1923, he launched the park's "Nature Notes", a series of writings on various park-related topics. There are hundreds of editions of the notes in the park's collection, all of which are accessible at the following link:
more...

Last Updated: April 22, 2009 at 13:12 EST