Backcountry Trail and Camp Conditions

 

 

 

Updated September 18, 2006

 A WILDERNESS CAMPING PERMIT IS ALWAYS REQUIRED FOR CAMPING ANYWHERE IN THE PARK OTHER THAN DRIVE-IN CAMPGROUNDS.

General Conditions Update:

Fall colors are starting to show throughout the park.

This will be the last general update of the summer season, as the park is now preparing for winter conditions. We are experiencing rain at the park these days and the forecast is for more. During this time of year bridges and footlogs are prone to washouts secondary to heavy or prolonged rain. Always check with a ranger station before heading out on the trail for any extended hikes.

 Route finding skills and avalanche awareness are essential for travel at higher elevations.

 Please Note:  Do not leave valuables in your car. While break-ins are infrequent they do occur.

Park Facility Hours, Open/Close Status, and Park Road Information: Wilderness Information Centers and Visitor Centers & Road Status

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trails in the Carbon River Area
Road and Facility Status
All backcountry camping requires a permit. 
Obtain backcountry camping permits at the Carbon River Ranger Station.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

Flowers are past but fall colors are coming!

9/4

Carbon Glacier Trail

0

See Wonderland Trail below

8/4

Chenuis Falls

0

Bridges are in.  Beautiful waterfall hike.

8/4

Green Lake

0

 

8/4

Ipsut Falls

0

This trail offers a nice waterfall vista a short distance beyond Ipsut Creek Campground. 

8/4

Northern Loop : Carbon River - Windy Gap

0

Lower Crossing of the Carbon River is IN, but maybe too difficult for young children.  

8/3

Paul Peak Trail

0

 All bridges are in across the North and South Mowich Rivers.

8/4

Rain Forest Loop

0

The trail is a self-guided hike that is easy for the whole family. Starts at the Carbon River Entrance.  

8/4

Spray Park

0

 

8/4

Seattle Park

0

 

8/4

Tolmie Peak

0

 

8/4

Trails in the Longmire Area
Road and Facility Status
  All backcountry camping requires a permit.
Obtain backcountry camping permit daily at the Longmire Museum, or the Paradise Visitor Center. 

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

 

8/4

Comet Falls Trail (Van Trump Park Trail)

 

0

River crossing below Comet Falls is now in.  Bridge above the fall to Mildred Point is out.

8/4

Eagle Peak Trail

0

Great views.

8/4

Goat Lake Trail

0

 

8/4

Kautz Creek Trail

0

 

8/4

Lake George & Gobblers Knob Trail

0

Enjoy one of the best views of Mt Rainier from the Gob Knob Fire tower.

8/4

Mildred Point Trail

0

Incredible view of the Nisqually Glacier

8/4

Mirror Lakes Trail

0

 

9/4

Narada Falls Trail  (Paradise to viewpoint below Narada Falls)

0

 

8/4

North Puyallup River Trail

0

 

8/4

Rampart Ridge Trail 

0

A great viewpoint looking down on Longmire and a super view of the mountain--otherwise the trail is in the forest. 

8/4

Rampart Ridge Trail (Upper section from Wonderland Trail to  Van Trump Park and Comet Falls)

0

 Trail is in the forest until quarter mile before reaching the Mildred Point trail turnoff.

8/4

Round Pass Trail

0

 

8/4

Saint Andrews Creek Trail

0

 

8/4

South Puyallup River Trail

0

Look for the columnar joints below the camp.

8/4

Trail of the Shadows

0

Learn some of the history and ecology of the Longmire area on this self-guided trail. 

8/4

Twin Firs Trail

0

Good trail to see an old growth forest. 

8/4

Trails in the Ohanapecosh Area
Road and Facility Status
All backcountry camping requires a permit. 
Obtain permit at self-registration station by the Ohanapecosh Ranger Station.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

The best stand of woods in the park!

9/4

East Side Trail

0

 

8/9

Grove of the Patriarchs Trail

0

Magnificent stand of old growth trees... the oldest and largest in the park! 

8/9

Laughingwater Creek Trail

0

Several large trees down across the trail near the cabin and the PCT.

8/9

Olallie Creek Trail

0

 

8/9

Pacific Crest Trail

0

 

9/4

Shriner Peak Trail

0

Awesome view of the east side of Rainier - great place to watch the sun rise!  Trail is on a south-facing slope with very little shade after the first mile.  Bring lots of water and sunscreen.

8/9

Silver Falls Trail

0

 

8/9

Trails in the Paradise Area
 Road and Facility Status
All backcountry camping requires a permit.
Obtain backcountry camping permit at the Longmire Museum or the Paradise Visitor Center. 
 

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

Wildflower are well past peak. Fall colors will be coming on later this month.

9/4

Alta Vista Trail

0

Great views 

8/4

Dead Horse Creek Trail

0

 

8/4

Fourth Crossing Trail

0

  

8/4

Glacier Vista Trail

0

  

8/4

Golden Gate Trail

0

  

8/4

Lakes Trail (Mazama Ridge)

0

  

8/4

Lakes High Trail

0

 

        8/4

Moraine Trail

0

 

8/4

Nisqually Vista Trail

0

 

8/4

Paradise Glacier Trail

0

 

8/4

Pebble Creek Trail (to base of Muir Snowfield)

0

 

8/4

Pinnacle Peak Trail

0

 

9/4

Skyline Trail

0

 

8/4

Snow Lake/Bench Lake Trail

0

 

8/4

Stevens Creek Trail

0

 Trail continues through Stevens Canyon with great views of several waterfalls.

8/4

Trails in the White River Area
  Road and Facility Status
All backcountry camping requires a permit. 
Obtain permits at the White River Wilderness Information Center.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

The usual small snow-patch between Summerland and Indian Bar.

9/4

Burroughs Mountain Trail

0

Great sweeping vistas.

8/17

Burroughs Mountain to Glacier Basin Trail

0

Trail has some beautiful views on this steep descent to Glacier Basin.

8/17

Crystal Lakes Trail

0

Trail begins in forest and ascends to two beautiful sub-alpine lakes with several views of Mt. Rainier along the way.  Crystal Peak has an awesome panoramic view of Mt. Rainier and other Cascade volcanoes. 

8/17

Emmons Moraine Trail

0

Excellent view of the east side of Mount Rainier including the Emmons Glacier and Little Tahoma.

8/17

Glacier Basin Trail

0

 

8/17

Grand Park Trail (Northern Loop Trail)

0

 

8/17

Huckleberry Creek Trail

0

 

8/17

Lake Eleanor Trail

0

 

8/17

Mt. Fremont Trail

0

Fremont Lookout will be closed to the public for restoration work this summer.  The trail will be open but the lookout itself will be inaccessible. 

8/17

Naches Peak Trail

0

 

8/17

Northern Loop Trail:  Berkeley Park to Windy Gap

0

Bridge over the West Fork of the White River is IN!

8/17

Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from White River Road)

0

 

8/17

Palisades Lakes Trail

0

Trail passes several beautiful sub-alpine lakes.

8/17

Silver Forest Trail

0

Short trail with interpretive exhibits that is great for family and/or anyone for an easy hike.

8/17

Sourdough Ridge Trail

0

 

8/17

Sunrise Rim Trail

0

 

8/17

Tipsoo Lake Trail

0

 

8/17

Wonderland Trail
Road and Facility Status
All backcountry camping requires a permit.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

 

 

8/4

Longmire to Indian Henrys

0

 

8/4

Indian Henrys to South Puyallup River

0

 

8/4

South Puyallup River to Klapatche Park

0

 

8/4

Klapatche Park to North Puyallup River

0

 

8/4

North Puyallup River to Golden Lakes

0

 

8/4

Golden Lakes to South Mowich River

0

The foot logs across the South and North Mowich Rivers are IN. 

 

9/4

South Mowich River to Mowich Lake

0

The foot logs across the South and North Mowich Rivers are currently in.  Keep in mind that the river tends to change channels and some river fording may be necessary.

8/4

Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek Campground

0

 

8/4

Ipsut Creek Campground to Carbon Glacier

0

 

8/4

Carbon Glacier to Mystic Lake

0

 

8/4

Mystic Lake to Sunrise

0

One section of trail near the West Fork of the White River has been washed out for several years and the trail crew is in the process of completing a trail re-route.  Until the re-route is done, a temporary detour of approx. 1/4 mile is required - follow the flagging. 

8/9

Sunrise to White River Campground

0

 

8/17

White River Campground to Summerland

0

 

8/17

Summerland to Indian Bar

10

Patches of snow still in upper Ohanapecosh Park and Panhandle Gap. The bridge above Summerland is OUT. An alternative route is flagged below the bridge while the trail crew works on a permanent reroute.

8/17

Indian Bar to Box Canyon

0

 

8/9

Box Canyon To Reflection Lakes

0

 

8/17

Reflection Lakes to Narada Falls

0

 

8/4

Narada Falls to Longmire

0

 

8/4

Carbon River Area Backcountry Camps
Road and Facility Status 
All backcountry camping requires a permit.
Obtain Wilderness Camping Permits at Carbon River just inside the entrance to the park.

Camp Name
# of Individual and Group sites are shown as #I/G
(elevation)

% Snow Cover

Camp Conditions

Update

Summary

 

Most foot logs and bridges are in place, but can wash out at any time due to high water. Check with Rangers for info before setting out on the trail.

 

Carbon River Camp
#4/1 (3195’)

0

 

8/4

Cataract Valley Camp
#6/1 (4620’)

0

 

8/4

Dick Creek Camp
#2/0 (4185’)

0

 

8/4

Eagle's Roost Camp
#7/0 (4885’)

0