Mount Rainier National Park is one of the hotspots for tourists in the pacific northwest and it is not hard to see why. In order to truly take in the undeniable beauty of Washington, you will need to add these three hikes to your itinerary.
One of the most important parts of a successful trip is planning; however, you can’t plan aspects like weather, injuries, or other accidents. This is why it is important to carry the 10 essentials as well as the appropriate hiking and camping gear to ensure you are prepared for any situation.
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Skyline Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet
Time: 4 hours
Skyline trail is the most iconic trail in the whole National Park. Located at the Visitor Center in the Paradise corridor, the whole trail spans almost 6 miles, but can be broken up into smaller sections to see different landmarks in the area. If you need one trail to see most sights at the park, this is the trail you must do.
Throughout this hike you will encounter stunning views of Rainier, layers of the cascade mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and much more. The entirety of the trail is open and not shaded, so if you are fortunate enough to have a sunny day, make sure to carry sunscreen as well as the other 10 essentials. My hiking and camping gear can be found here.
One of the hidden gems along this trail is the bathroom near the panorama point. I could not name you a toilet with a better view, so if you have to go, make sure to go here.
Dege Peak
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Time: 2 hours
I consider Dege Point a hidden gem in Washington. Located in the Sunrise corridor, this is not a trail that is heavily advertised or shown on social media, but provides some of the best views in the entire park. This is an out-and-back style trail and is rated a moderate hike, but that is mainly due to a steep incline at the trailhead and another to reach the summit of this mountain. This is a great spot to be on the lookout for mountain goats and other wildlife. In the summer months, I highly recommend bringing bug spray because the flies up here are huge, plentiful, and annoying.
The parking lot at the visitor center was completely full when we arrived, but we still had the peak of this mountain all to ourselves which proves not too many people know about this site.
Tolmie Peak
Note that for Tolmie Peak, you will be driving on a gravel/dirt road for about 40 minutes to make it to the trailhead. Make sure you either have a high clearance vehicle, or have good tires on your car.
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 5.6 mile
Elevation Gain: 1,550
Time: 3.5 hours
Tolmie Peak is for those who are seeking a challenging, but rewarding hike. It is a 5.6 mile out-and-back trail with a steep incline most of the way. The summit boasts a fire lookout that stands tall over Eunice Lake. This view alone is why I decided to adventure out to Washington. I highly recommend bringing a bathing suit or extra change of clothes on this hike because swimming in Eunice Lake on your return hike is truly an unforgettable experience.
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