Glacier Basin Trail and Emmons Moraine Trail - Mt. Rainier, WA

Glacier Basin Trail

I wanted to hike Glacier Basin to witness how fast glaciers are retreating every year. Scientists believe there will be no more glaciers in 20 - 30 years, which may greatly impact the planet's ecosystem. 

Glacier Basin Trail is a pleasant hike accompanied with a sound of White River all along. Also, mountain peaks, flower meadows, and alpine lakes are in the package of this hike. Many waterfalls and bridge crossings are entertaining and the hike is never monotonous. The trail is wide and ascends gradually with some switchbacks where it's steep. Wildflowers are blooming all along the trail although I saw less flowers in the meadows....perhaps, more flowers will bloom in a week or so. 

After 3.1 miles, the trail ends at the Glacier Basin camp, and a vast open meadow with spectacular mountain views pans out before you along the unmaintained trail. The area is somewhat similar to Summerland of Wonderland Trail. I continued to hike up the unmaintained trail for another mile or so to take a closer look at the "receding" glacier (yes, indeed, the glacier is receding due to the climate change) and the climbing route to Camp Schurman which is described tougher than Camp Muir....I'll put the challenge on my bucket list. I saw quite a few climbers descending and passing by me when I was trekking up to the basin. 

There is a side trail (Emmons Moraine Trail) branching out about a mile from the trailhead. I took the extra adventure to explore that trail and it was worthwhile. There is a beautiful emerald green alpine lake quietly tucked in by the towering Goat Island Mountain, where you find yourself standing on the north side of the mountain across the lake (the other side of Goat Island Mountain is Summerland). Take in the sunning vistas of Emmons Glacier, Goat Island Mountain, Little Tahoma, and Mt. Ruth with Mt. Rainier's east face. 

By the way, I had a close encounter of the "bear" kind. As the park's warning sign says, BE BEAR ALERT! The bear I saw was with two cubs and they were busy munching in the meadow about a 1/4 mile before Glacier Basin camp site. They were right by the trail, so I stepped back to give enough distance, and waited for several minutes. They eventually moved on, and the cubs kept looking back at me with a curious look. At any rate, be bear alert. Here's a video clip of Mt. Rainier park rangers showing how to scare a bear.

Also, the park gets so crowded during the wildflowers peak season, which is now through fall colors season. When I got to the park in the afternoon on Sunday, the park was enforcing a traffic control only allowing two vehicles every five minutes. I had to wait about 30 min. at the park entrance just to get through the park entrance! The park ranger informed they'd do so during the busy peak seasons if necessary, particularly on weekends.

RT: 6.0 miles (add 2 miles RT for Emmons Moraine Trail) 

Gain: 1600 ft.

Highest Point: 5900 ft

How to get there:

From Enumclaw, drive east 43 miles on State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Follow the Sunrise Road about 5 miles, and cross the White River. Turn left onto the White River Road and follow the road to its end at the White River Campground. Park in the hikers/climbers lot. The trailhead is at the upper end of the campground loop.