Crystal Peak - Mt. Rainier, WA

It was a great hike with fall's crisp air on the sunny weekend after all the rain clouds passed.  Surprisingly, the trail was snow/ice free and not even muddy all the way from the trailhead to the summit. I was hoping to see elks, but no luck except elk tracks and scats.  I saw a couple of grouse, which was a treat of wildlife after all.

Crystal Peak can be rated as a strenuous hike gaining 3,100 ft in 3.8 miles. The trail constantly climbs with short/long switchbacks.  Although it may not be an easy hike, the journey offers a variety of entertainment which may make you feel the hike is actually fun instead of torture....moss-covered forest, creek crossing, log bridge, talus rocks, alpine meadows/vegetation and stunning views of Mt. Rainier/White River and other mountain ranges.  The 360 panorama at the top is worth the effort and you can see 6 peaks of N. Cascades with this one hike....Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. St Helens. Also, Crystal Lakes are seen down below.

Trailhead is located right along Hwy 410 at about 4 miles south after the national park's wooden gate.  Parking is limited off the road.

7.6 miles RT

3,100 ft gain

Highest Point: 6,595 ft

Shriner Peak - Mt. Rainier, WA

I took advantage of the sunny weather last Sunday to aim at Shriner Peak. The temperature was warm enough for hiking in shorts and T-shirt even though it was a little breezy. This is a strenuous hike with a reward of a spectacular 360 view and an old fire lookout just southeast of Mt. Rainier. The trail ascends continuously in a long stretch without many switchbacks. After hiking through the forest, the trail breaks open exposed to the sun. About halfway through, you'd wish the summit is soon to reach when you come to the open saddle. And yet, Shriner Peak looms before you...the peak is still way up and even looks rather steep. The trail leads you on up and up for the second half. Pace yourself and enjoy wonderful views along the way....the majestic view of Mt. Rainier cheers you up. After 4 miles of the continuous upward trek, the reward is for you to enjoy spectacular vistas from the old fire lookout which proudly stands alone on the top. Take in the 360 view from there....Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and other N. Cascade ranges. There is also a camp site with a "fancy" toilet at the summit. 

8 miles RT

3,500 ft gain.

Highest Point: 5,834 ft 

Fremont Lookout - Mt. Rainier, WA

The trail to Fremont Lookout begins to ascend dramatically soon after Frozen Lake...moderate to strenuous. The views are marvelous along the way....Mt. Rainier, Burroughs mountain, Skyscraper mountain, Berkeley Park. At the top, the view north of the lookout offers the entire range of the North Cascades...Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt. Stuart and other peaks that you may be familiar with. What a view! 

At Frozen Lake where the main trail splits, you also have a choice to hike other adventures like Burroughs mountain, Shadow Lake, Berkeley Park, Mystic Lake/Wonderland, and much more. I explored Berkeley Park down towards the valley to see fall colors....berry bushes and heather are just turning colors now. I returned to Sunrise via Shadow Lake. Two thumbs up!

5 miles RT

Gain: 800 ft.

Highest Point: 7200 ft. 

 

 

Burroughs Mountain - Mt. Rainier, WA

This is a great hike to take in spectacular views of Mt. Rainier all the way from the beginning to the end of the trail.  There are three Burroughs you can hike one after another. First and Second Burroughs are easy to moderate, and Third is strenuous.  

It seems like most hikers turn around at Second Burroughs which offers an amazing view of Mt. Rainier right before you.  If you want a little more challenge and have stamina, Third Burroughs offers the closet view of the glaciers. If you have binoculars with you, you can even measure the depth of crevasses, perhaps.  

Take in the panoramic view north of there....Mt. baker, Glacier Peak, Mt. Stuart, other Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges.  Also, Puget Sound cities are visible....it was my first time ever to be able to see Seattle/Bellevue from Mt. Rainier! On the way back down to First Burroughs, I spotted three bears....mother bear and two cubs.  They were big and their fur was golden brown almost like a grizzly bear.  What an awesome day hike!

9.0 miles RT

Gain: 2600 ft.

Highest Point: 7828 ft.

First Burrough

Second Burrough

Third Burrough

Skyscraper Mountain - Mt. Ranier, WA

If your wish is to have a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier just for yourself right before you, Skyscraper Mountain will grant your wish. There was no one else, but myself, at the top of Skyscraper Mountain when I was there...my wish granted! 

The hike is easy to moderate over all and mostly leveled with some ups and downs in a moderate grade. The final push to the summit of Skyscraper is steep, but most hikers could handle it....300 feet gain in less than a half mile. In addition to Skyscraper Mountain, there are a few other options to explore en route to/from Sunrise if you have extra time and stamina....Fremont Lookout, Burroughs Mountain and Shadow Lake which is on the way to/from Sunrise. 

The northeast side of Sunrise is mostly open range and there aren't many trees to provide a shade along the trail. Bring enough water and sunscreen. Luckily, there was a nice breeze when I hiked last Sunday. This hike is a great outing for families and kids, and those who want to have a taste of Wonderland trail, too. And of course, you can't take your eyes off Mt. Rainier!

RT: 8.5 miles

Gain: 1,078'

Highest point: 7,078'

Driving Directions:

From Enumclaw, take State Route 410 to the Mount Rainier National Park White River Entrance. Drive onto the Sunrise Road and follow it 17 miles west to the large parking lot at the Sunrise visitor center.

 

 

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.