Nisqually Vista Walking Tour: Deadhorse Creek

Deadhorse Creek indicates the significance of precipitation on Mount Rainier.

NPS Photo/M. Reis

Quick Facts

Location:

Nisqually Vista Nature Trail

Amenities

1 listed

Information

Deadhorse Creek flows all year with water released from melting snow. From the bridge you can see the weather tower which is the official Paradise weather station. At 23 feet (7 m) tall, its height gives an idea of how much snow accumulates here. Most storms approach this area from the southwest. Moist air moves inland from the Pacific Ocean, encounters Mount Rainier, rises and cools, then condenses to form rain or snow. Snowfall has been measured at the weather station since 1920 for the annual period from July 1st to June 30th. In the last 20 years, annual snowfall averaged 665 inches (55 feet/16.8). Paradise once held the world record for measured snowfall in a single year the winter of 1971-1972: 1,122 inches (93.5 feet/28.5 meters). A new low snowfall record for Paradise was set in 2014-2015 with 266 inches (22.2 feet/6.7 meters), previously set in 1939-1940. 

Many new visitors to the park are surprised at how much snow often remains on the ground in spring – sometimes lingering until June or July. If you encounter snow patches on this or other trails, please walk on the snow instead of bare ground to avoid damaging the meadows. 

With Internet access, you can explore the park’s annual snowfall records here: Mount Rainier Annual Snowfall Totals