RETURN TO THE WILDERNESS CAMPING AND HIKING HOMEPAGE

Mount Rainier can receive 700 or more inches of snow each winter. When spring comes to the mountains it is a very busy time for Park Rangers. The previous fall usually brings the rainy season which causes damage to trails and camps by raging waters, high winds and falling trees. All this damage gets covered by 10-20 feet of snow, and there it sits until melt-out which often does not occur in earnest until late June or early July. The snow usually starts melting in high volumes, causing more damage to trails and camps. The Trail Crew may have to clear hundreds of trees from the trails each year. Replacing footlogs and bridges is also a major project. Footlogs are also prone to being washed out anytime there is a prolonged period of rain regardless of the season.

Wilderness Rangers and Trail Crew members are out and about early in the season trying to assess the damage. Given the vastness of the trail system and the volumes of snow, this is a large task. As we get reliable information on the status of a trail, a section of trail or a backcountry camp, that information will be posted here on the website.

Backcountry Trails and Camp Reports

A Wilderness Camping Permit is required year round for camping or climbing in the park. Car camping does not require a wilderness permit.

November 16, 2011: There will be no major updates to the trail conditions page until late spring, 2012. Park trails will be buried under many feet of snow for the winter. Melt-out generally does occur until June each year. Always check with Park Rangers for trail conditions before heading out into the backcountry.

General Conditions Update:
Be prepared... mountain weather is good one minute, daunting the next. Always check with rangers before heading into the back country. Please Note: Do not leave valuables in your car. While break-ins are infrequent, they do occur.

Trails in the Carbon River Area

The Carbon River Road to Ipsut Creek Campground is CLOSED at the park entrance because of 2006 flood damage. It is now a five mile hike into Ipsut Creek Campground. Bikes are permitted ONLY as far as Ipsut Creek Campground. All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain backcountry camping permits at the Carbon River Ranger Station.

10-13-2011: FOOD STORAGE POLES AT BACKCOUNTRY CAMPS ARE DOWN FOR THE SEASON. Either use rope or a food canister to store food. Poles will not be back in place until June 2012, weather permitting.

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails. Ipsut Creek Campground is being managed as a backcountry camp. A wilderness permit will be required to camp at Ipsut Creek. Fires and pets are not permitted beyond the point where public vehicles can legally park at the park entrance.	11/16/11
Carbon Glacier Trail
Chenuis Fall
Green Lake
Ipsut Falls
Northern Loop: Carbon River- Windy Gap
Paul Peak Trail
Rain Forest Loop
Spray Park
Seattle Park
Tolmie Peak

Trails in the Longmire Area

The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round. All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain backcountry camping permit daily at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center or the Paradise Visitor Center. 

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails. The Westside Road is Open to the public parking area at Dry Creek.	11/16/11
Carter Falls (from Cougar Rock Campground)
Comet Falls Trail (Van Trump Park Trail)
Denman Falls Trail
Eagle Peak Trail
Goat Lake Trail
Kautz Creek Trail
Lake George & Gobblers Knob Trail
Mildred Point Trail
Narada Falls Trail (Paradise to viewpoint below Narada Falls)
North Puyallup River Trail
Rampart Ridge Trail
Rampart Ridge Trail (Upper section from Wonderland Trail to Van Trump Park and Comet Falls)
Round Pass Trail
Saint Andrews Creek Trail
South Puyallup Raiver Trail
Trail of the Shadows
Twin Firs Trail

 
Trails in the Ohanapecosh Area

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain permits at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails.	11/16/11
Cowlitz Divide Trail (Olallie Creek Trail)
Eastside Trail
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
Laughingwater Creek Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Shriner Peak Trail
Silver Falls Trail

Trails in the Paradise Area

The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round. All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain backcountry camping permits daily at the Longmire Museum, or the Paradise Visitor Center.

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails.	11/16/11
Alta Vista Trail
Dead Horse Creek Trail
Fourth Crossing Trail
Glacier Vista Trail
Golden Gate Trail
High Lakes Loop Trail
Lakes Trail (Mazama Ridge)
Moraine Trail
Nisqually Vista Trail
Paradise Glacier Trail
Pebble Creek Trail (to the base of the Muir Snowfield)
Pinnacle Peak Trail
Skyline Trail
Snow Lake/Bench Lake Trail
Stevens Creek Trail

 

Trails in the White River Area

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain permits at the White River Ranger Station, located at the entrance.

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails.	11/16/11
Burroughs Mountain Trail
Burroughs Mountain to Glacier Basin Trail
Crystal Lakes Trail
Crystal Peak Trail
Emmons Moraine Trail
Glacier Basin Trail
Grand Park Trail (via Northern Loop Trail)
Huckleberry Creek Trail
Lake Eleanor Trail
Mt. Fremont Trail
Naches Peak Trail
Northern Loop Trail: Berkeley Park to Windy Gap
Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from White River Road)
Pacific Crest Trail
Palisades Lakes Trail
Silver Forest Trail
Sourdough Ridge Trail
Sunrise Rim Trail
Tipsoo Lake Trail

 

Wonderland Trail

All backcountry camping requires a permit.

Trail Name	% Snow Cover	Trail Conditions	Update
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all trails.	11/16/11
Longmire to Indian Henry's
Indian Henry's to South Puyallup River
South Puyallup River to Klapatche Park
Klapatche Park to North Puyallup River
North Puyallup River to Golden Lakes
Golden Lakes to South Mowich River
South Mowich River to Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek Campground
Ipsut Creek Campground to Carbon Glacier
Carbon Glacier to Mystic Lake
Mystic Lake to Sunrise
Sunrise to White River Campground
White River Campground to Summerland
Summerland to Indian Bar
Indian Bar to Box Canyon
Box Canyon to Reflection Lakes
Reflection Lakes to Narada Falls
Narada Falls to Longmire

Carbon Area Backcountry Camps

The road to Ipsut Creek Campground is closed at the park entrance, secondary to flood damage in 2006. All backcounrty camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Permits at Carbon River just inside the entrance to the park.

Camp Name	% Snow Cover	Camp Conditions	Update
# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all backcountry camps. The road to Ipsut Creek is CLOSED. The hike is 5 miles from the Carbon River Entrance to Ipsut Creek Campground, which is now managed as a wilderness camp and requires a wilderness permit.	11/16/11
Carbon River Camp #4/1 (3195')
Cataract Valley Camp #6/1 (4620')
Dick Creek Camp #2/0 (4185')
Eagle's Roost Camp #7/0 (4885')
Granite Creek Camp #2/1 (5765')
Ipsut Creek #12/1 (2400')
Mowich Lake Walk-in Camp (4900')
Mystic Camp #7/1 (5570')
South Mowich River Camp #3/1 (2605')

Longmire/Paradise Area Backcountry Camps

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Camping permits daily at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center, the Longmire Museum (open year-round) or The Paradise Visitor Center.

Camp Name	% Snow Cover	Camp Conditions	Update
# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all backcountry camps.	11/16/11
Devil's Dream Camp #7/1 (5060')
Golden Lakes Camp #5/1 (5130')
Klapatche Park Camp #4/0 (5515')
Lake George Camp #5/1 (4320')
Maple Creek Camp #4/1 (2815')
Paradise River Camp #3/1 (3805')
Pyramid Creek Camp #2/0 (3765')
North Puyallup River Camp #3/1 (3750')
Snow Lake Camp #2/0 (4690')
South Puyallup River Camp #4/1 (4000')

Eastside Backcountry Camps

All backcountry camps require a permit.

Camp Name	% Snow Cover	Camp Conditions	Update
# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary		Winter conditions apply for all backcountry camps.	11/16/11
Berkeley Park Camp #2/1 (5375')
Deer Creek Camp #2/0 (2950')
Dick's Lake Camp #1/0 (5675')
Fire Creek Camp #3/1 (4300')
Forest Lake Camp #1/0 (5660')
Glacier Basin Camp #5/1 (5965')
Indian Bar Camp #3/1 (5120')
James Camp (Formerly the Redstone Camp) #3/1 (4620')
Lake Eleanor Camp #3/1 (5000')
Lower Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5450')
Nickel Creek Camp #3/1 (3385')
Olallie Creek Camp #2/1 (3940')
Shriner Peak Camp #2/0 (5355')
Summerland Camp #5/1 (5940')
Sunrise Walk-In Camp #8/2 (6245')
Tamanos Creek Camp #4/2 (5270')
Three Lakes Camp #2/1 (4680')
Upper Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5825')
Upper Palisades Lake Camp #2/0 (5835')
White River Walk-in Camp #3/1 (4300')
Yellowstone Cliffs Camp #2/0 (5180')