It is a worldclass hike that has been on my mind for years so finally being able to complete it was such a wonderful feeling, but it wasnt. Plan extra time to explore indian henrys hunting ground and st. Made an attempt to head down spray park trail and couldnt get more than a few hundred yards where the first bridge crossing was buried under 10 feet of snow. Trail passes through the forest to eunice lake, then climbs to the fire lookout. There are a few good treks from the westside road trailhead in mount rainier national 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 park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows. Sections are blanketed with tiny tree cones, and small plants are encroaching on the trail in places. From this stream crossing the trail follows klapatche ridge for one mile descending 720 feet. Klapatche park trail mount rainier national park u. Apr 27, 2020 geologic pipe organ on the south puyallup trail. It is surmised that the name klapatche is of indian origin but the exact meaning has been lost.
The wonderland trail is 93 miles long, includes 22,000 of elevation gain and loss, and circumnavigates the tallest point in washington. Klapatche park features a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, and grand views of mount rainier. Hiking from klapatche park to golden lakes on the wonderland trail. Backpacking adventure along the wonderland trail around mt.
The trail from golden lakes to klapatche was mostly in good condition and it was another hot day. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national parks 93 milelong wonderland trail. 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. Paradise loop mount rainier national park tripadvisor.
Near the nisqually entrance to the park, this mile one way gravel route is open to motor vehicles for the first three miles, then becomes a hiking and mountain biking route to klapatche point. Climbing mt rainier is a career goal for many cascade range peakbaggers, but exploring the park s many miles of trail equally popular among the less alpineinclined. Emanating from these glaciers are dozens of rivers. Klapatche park is a subalpine park on the western side of the park along the wonderland trail. Detour across spray park, especially from midjuly to early august, says campbell, for the planets.
The trail climbs through oldgrowth forest to meadows of klapatche park and aurora lake. Several pctthruhikers reported the trail is mostly snow free where it runs through mount rainier national park. Dominating the landscape in central washington, and visible from just about any high point in the state, mount rainier is the tallest volcanic peak in the pacific northwest. Hiking devils dream to klapatche park on the wonderland trail. Leaving klapatche park, it is well worth pausing to take in the last great views from this vantage point.
Camp at klapatche park, mystic lake, and summerland. Im considering either hiking it to celebrate my 50th bday or doing it in stages. The trail makes a short trek southward then turns westward and crosses the outlet stream of aurora lake. Rainier is located 90 miles southeast of seattle and, depending on the park entrance you choose to enter through, it will require a 1. In late summer aurora lake dries and the nearest water source is three quarters of a mile east at st. The pacific crest trail runs mostly outside of mount rainier national park note. Klapatche park trail in mount rainier national park is bucket list hike for sure. A september idyll at klapatche park seattle backpackers magazine. Sorry to pull the oldtimer card, but back in the day this used to be a fantastic day hike off the westside road. Wonderland trail overview, as the 93mile trail circles the mountain, hikers witness the varied faces of mt. Mount rainier national park is located in westcentral washington and is ideal for hiking, mountain climbing and scenic drives.
The 10 best mount rainier national park hiking trails with. The klapatche park trail was in great shape with no blowdowns, mud or washouts. The best access to klapatche park is via klapatche ridge trail, located eight miles from the washout up the westside road. This morning i returned to sunset park as the trail continued south. Klapatche park hiking trail, eatonville, washington hiking project. However, the climb up from north puyallup river camp to klapatche park was steep and a good deal of the trail was overgrown with brush. Klapatche park, located near longmire, washington is a 21. Tahoma suspension bridge and from there, trekked along a portion of the wonderland trail to emerald ridge and back along the puyallup river and round pass. Their names aloneindian bar, summerland, indian henrys hunting ground, spray park, moraine park, emerald ridgeconjure up awe and amazement. This road is sometimes closed due to rockfalls and washouts.
Leaving the ridge crest klapatche park trail continues to descend, using switchbacks, into the st. The trail branches from the wonderland trail just past the ranger patrol cabin and goes ne across the meadows to some ponds that perfectly reflect mount rainier. This description details the trail as it climbs from round pass trailhead to klapatche park camp. It is the longest trail in the park, taking in all its natural features and passing through all its life zones, the epitome of mount rainier hiking.
The wonderland trail is mount rainier hiking at its best. The area is filled with wildflowers during the mid summer months. Mount rainier national park backpacking and hiking trails. Hikers can leave the road at round pass trailhead or continue along the road to st. Klapatche park this high meadow is a favorite for many hikers. Climbing mt rainier is a career goal for many cascade range peakbaggers, but exploring the parks many miles of trail equally popular among the less alpineinclined. Established in 1899, 235,625 acres 97% is designated wilderness, includes mount rainier 14,410, an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. Now that the route is closed, this high alpine park is accessible only on a multiday or epic day tripthough you could ride a bicycle down the closed road to the. The park says this hike is a high meadow is a favorite for many hikers. Enter mount rainier national park and one mile from the entrance, turn left north on westside road. It is also accessible via several trails starting from. The inviting campsites are located on a small wooded knoll just above the lake.
Mount rainier can receive 700 or more inches of snow each winter. Trails and backcountry camp conditions mount rainier. Sep 22, 2001 the klapatche park trail was in great shape with no blowdowns, mud or washouts. The wonderlands trail has been described as magical, through a wispyclouded august sky to the many glaciers, river valleys and high alpine meadows all while traveling through the through rainier s backcountry. If you dont feel like hiking paradise loop is a wonderful thing to do when visiting mt. Trails of mount rainier mount rainier national park u. Mount rainier national park encompasses the namesake peak. Spray park trail in mount rainier national park is an incredible hike that offers some of the best views on mount rainier in the park. See more ideas about wonderland trail, trail and wonderland. Klapatche park features serene aurora lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, and grand views of mount rainier. Hiking and backpacking at mount rainier national parks. Gunung mulu national park on the island of borneo is the most.
Best lake trails in mount rainier national park alltrails. Klapatche park will give you a chance to experience the wonderlands trail with only 21 miles of hiking. To access the lake and for views of mount rainier, stay on the trail. The wonderlands trail has been described as magical, through a wispyclouded august sky to the many glaciers, river valleys and high alpine meadows all while traveling through the through rainiers backcountry. Leaving the ridge crest klapatche park trail continues to descend.
Cheryl talbert hikes the wonderland trail exploring klapatche park. Wilderness trailside camp wilderness patrol cabin 1 south mowich river 4 1 2605 revised 206 frontcountry campground camping by permit is also allowed in undesignated sites within crosscountry and alpine zones throughout the park. Biking at mount rainier washington bikeswashington bikes. At the top, saint andrews lake tempts the weary traveler to stop and stay a while, but the cool prevailing westerly winds can quickly chill, and encourages one. Snow lingers well into the summer at higher elevations in the park so if you go before mid to latejuly you will likely experience snowfields that require routefinding and. A portion of the pacific crest trail weaves in and out of mount rainier national park along the park s eastern boundary, from chinook pass in the north down to laughingwater creek in the south near three lakes. We arrived at mount rainier national parks sunrise ranger station at 6,400 feet in elevation during a lightning storm, checking in as park personnel set up cb radios amidst downed phone lines. Klapatche park is just head reached by gently descending through flowering meadows. Detour across spray park, especially from midjuly to early august, says campbell, for the planets finest wildflower show, with bullseye views of mt.
Klapatche park, 072410 072510 july 28, 2010 by jeremy 1 comment when i first flipped through my copy of 50 hikes in mount rainier national park and saw ira springs photograph of klapatche park, the destination shot to the top of my tohike list. This trek to klapatche park involves hiking along the westside road and using various trails. Mount rainier national park travel guide at wikivoyage. Hiking from klapatche park to golden lakes on the wonderland. I just finished backpacking the wonderland trail in mt. There are between 150 and 350 black bears in the park. Once the trail reached the ridge crest our progress was slowed as there were lots of ripe blueberries to pick. The views are wonderful in the summer, there are less people during the fall.
They can often be seen off the lakes trail, bench and snow lakes, and klapatche park areas at paradise, and the golden lakes, glacier basin, and summerland areas at sunrise. Klapatche park is a backpacking, hiking, mountain biking adventure located in or near longmire, wa. If one hike should be regarded as the best hike in mount rainier national park, it has to be the wonderland trail. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national parks 93 mile long wonderland trail. Snow covered the trail for the last 100 yards coming up the hill into klapatche park. Aug 14, 2018 backpacking the wonderland trail in mt. My girlfriend and i noticed a poster of a missing wonderland trail hiker from months prior as two oddly calm nps rangers issued our backcountry. Rainier is a worldclass hike and deservedly so it takes you past meadows full of wildflowers, crashing waterfalls, lush forests, calm lakes, and of course, it gives you a view of mt.
If you are passing through seattle, set aside a day for some mt rainier hikes. Best trails in mount rainier national park alltrails. The camp is in the forest along the edge of the meadow just north of aurora lake. Jul 28, 2010 klapatche park, 072410 072510 july 28, 2010 by jeremy 1 comment when i first flipped through my copy of 50 hikes in mount rainier national park and saw ira springs photograph of klapatche park, the destination shot to the top of my tohike list. Rainier in 93 miles and 22,000 of elevation gain and loss. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national park s 93 milelong wonderland trail. The wonderland trail wt is 93 miles 150kms long and encircles mount rainier. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The previous fall usually brings the rainy season which causes damage to trails and camps by raging waters, high winds and falling trees. Mount rainier makes an impressive showing above fields of lupine, aster, and penstemon. Exploring mt rainiers westside road and emerald ridge.
Rainier national park hiking from the indian bar camp to the summerland camp the wonderland trail is 93 miles long, includes 22,000 of elevation gain and loss, and circumnavigates the tallest point in washington. Now that the route is closed, this high alpine park is accessible only on a multiday or epic day tripthough you could ride a bicycle down the closed road to the old trailhead. Had to snowshoe in from the gate for 5 miles to get to the lake. The campsites at klapatche park are some of the most popular in the park and are often full on summer weekend nights. Visit lake george and then the lookout on top of gobblers know, circle emerald ridge, or enjoy a stint on the wonderland trail to klapatche park, all strenuous or harder trips. Most roads are open from late may to early october, which allow for both stunning views and access to a wide range of hiking trails and other sites. Jun 30, 2016 trail that circles mt rainier in washington state of the usa, near seattle.
We hiked it in 9 days8 nights counterclockwise starting from sunrise. Jay satz, student conservation association, 2063244649 mount rainier national park is one of 39 national parks selected to receive a 2014 americas best idea grant from t he national park foundation, the official charity of americas. Beginning at the end of the west side road, this trail climbs along a closed road and then rises another 1700 feet as it passes by a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, slopes dotted with mountain goats, breathtaking views of mount rainier before arriving at a high mountain meadow. Day 1 klapatche, day 2 mowich lake, day 3 carbon river, day 4. Neither of us won the permit lottery we entered in march so we had to try for walk up permits and, by the grace of the hiking gods, we were able to secure our proposed itinerary. Nisqually vista paradise flower trails spray park trail.
Select hike from dropdown menu all for the love of hiking. Most backpackers at mount rainier national park use the trailside camps listed below. Visit lake george and then the lookout on top of gobblers know, circle emerald ridge, or enjoy a stint on the wonderland. Mount rainier national park receives 2014 americas best.
The trail between klapatche park and golden lakes is a fast descent to north puyallup river at 3,750 feet, followed by a steady climb to golden lakes, and its much easier than the previous days march if youre headed north. Kevin bacher, mount rainier national park, 3605696567 contact. Alanna sobel, national park foundation, 2023546486 contact. Rainier to the east and klapatche ridge to the west. Hiking the skyline trail, paradise, mt rainier np duration. The previous fall usually brings the rainy season which causes damage to trails and camps by raging waters, high. Multiple trailheads available the 93 mile trail that circumnavigates mt. Mount rainier national park klapatche park trail trail description distance, roundtrip. Brace yourself for wildflower saturated meadows and sweeping views mount rainier. Reaching a skyscraping elevation of 14,411 feet, mount rainer is shrouded with 25 named glaciers that cover more than 35 square miles of the mountains rugged flanks. Hiking mount rainiers wonderland trail the seattle times. Hikers will find forests with cedar, hemlock, and fir trees as well as streams and wildflower meadows.