• Mount Rainier peeks through clouds, viewed across subalpine wildflowers and glacial moraine.

    Mount Rainier

    National Park Washington

Klapatche Park Trail

Trail route from Westside Road past Emerald Ridge to Klapatche Park / SW.
A map of the Klapatche Park Trail route from Westside Road, Nisqually entrance.  Use of a topographic map of the area is recommended.
 

Trail Description:

Distance, round-trip:

21 miles

Elevation gain:

1700 feet

Hiking time, round-trip:

2 days

Wilderness camps:

Klapatche Park

This high meadow is a favorite for many hikers. It is surmised that the name Klapatche is of Indian origin but the exact meaning has been lost.

One mile east of the Nisqually Entrance is the Westside Road junction. Turn here and continue up the Westside Road to where it ends (approximately 3 miles from the start of the road). Hike up the closed portion of the road to the trailhead (approximately 8 miles) at St. Andrews Creek. Also at this trailhead is a short (.5 mile round-trip) hike to beautiful Denman Falls.

The trail climbs steadily for a mile and a half through mature forest to the crest of Klapatche Ridge. Following the crest, the trail ascends from the forest into the open meadows of Klapatche Park and Aurora Lake at the Wonderland Trail junction. To the right, the Wonderland Trail climbs gradually .75 mile to St. Andrews Park and more spectacular views.


Along the Trail:


A serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, slopes dotted with mountain goats, breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and incomparable sunsets - such is the scene along the way to Klapatche Park.


Backpacking:


The campsites at Klapatche Park are some of the most popular in the park and are often full on summer weekend nights. The camp is in the forest along the edge of the meadow just north of Aurora Lake. When Aurora Lake dries up in summer, St. Andrews Lake, located .75 mile east along the Wonderland Trail, is the closest water source. 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.
  • Wilderness Trip Planning Wilderness Trip Planning

    Get the maps you need. Read More

  • Trail Conditions Trail Conditions

    Planning a trip into the Mount Rainier backcountry? Find out what the trails are like before you go. Read More

Did You Know?

Mount Rainier summit with Mount Adams in the distance.

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. From various locations around the park you can see four other Cascade volcanoes: Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak. On a clear day, you can see the tip of Mount Hood, in northern Oregon, from Paradise Meadows.