I always wondered about the hike of Comet Falls and Van Trump Park
whenever I drove up to Paradise. I am so glad that I finally did the
hike. It is trully an amazing hike with beautiful waterfalls, wild
flowers/berries and mountain views.
Ditch the Paradise crowds/traffic by hiking Comet Falls/Van Trump Park with much less foot traffic! Trailhead is easy-access right along Paradise Rd between Longmire and Paradise. This hike is comparable to some of the hikes in Paradise area, or even better, I'd say....gorgeous waterfalls, wildflower meadows, glacier views and panorama of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt.Saint Helens....they are all together in one hike. It made me think after all, however....what if Paradise had not been so developed with the visitor center/tourism and so many intertwined trails?...perhaps, it would have been kept more like Van Trump Park, serene and untouched.
The trail gradually ascends to a moderate grade through the forest along Van Trump Creek. It is nice to hike through the forest with a soothing sound of the creek when it's a hot summer day. The first half of the route to Comet Falls is tree-covered and the trail opens up to the sky in about 1.5 miles near Bloucher Falls which is a good spot to take a break and enjoy the view. Across the footlog bridge, follow the continuing trail and soon the dramatic Comet Falls comes into sight. Wow, it's big....392 feet! I could see why it's called Comet Falls.
The trail continues after passing Comet Falls and becomes a bit steep and strenuous as it gains more grade. In about a half mile or so, you come to a trail junction and go right to Van Trump Park. The maintained trail ends in 0.3 mile at 5,850 feet from the junction. Enjoy the view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens there.
I continued my journey trekking up the unmaintained trail toward the ridge across a green meadow. The unmaintained trail is generally in good shape except some of the log steps deteriorating, but nothing to worry about. Ascending the lush green meadow with Mt. Rainer in front and Mt. Adams/Mt. Saint Helens behind somehow reminded me of a scene from The Sound of Music. A short distance of the unmaintained trail to the top of the pass is really worthwhile because a big "wow" moment awaits you upon the top.
Wow!.....take in the stunning panoramic view of the vast meadow of wildflowers (still lots of lupines covering the meadow), Mt. Rainer with several water falls juxtaposing (at least four of them I could see) on the great wall of the saddles between the meadow and Mt. Rainier. Turn around and capture another spectacular panorama view - Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens on the skyline and Tatoosh Range/Goat Rock Peaks in the foreground.
Feeling awestruck by the amazing vistas, I continued ascending the unmaintained trail for another mile or so to get a closer view of the waterfalls, Mt. Rainier and glaciers....another wow! I could also see Van Trump Park down below from the higher range.
Van Trump Park may not be a popular destination like Paradise, and yet, it is an amazing and beautiful hike. I highly recommend this hike for those who prefer less foot traffic, spectacular waterfalls and grand vistas of Mt. Rainier/Mt. Adams/Mt. Saint Helens in serenity and untouched wilderness....and you could have it all for yourself. Two thumbs up!
Ditch the Paradise crowds/traffic by hiking Comet Falls/Van Trump Park with much less foot traffic! Trailhead is easy-access right along Paradise Rd between Longmire and Paradise. This hike is comparable to some of the hikes in Paradise area, or even better, I'd say....gorgeous waterfalls, wildflower meadows, glacier views and panorama of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt.Saint Helens....they are all together in one hike. It made me think after all, however....what if Paradise had not been so developed with the visitor center/tourism and so many intertwined trails?...perhaps, it would have been kept more like Van Trump Park, serene and untouched.
The trail gradually ascends to a moderate grade through the forest along Van Trump Creek. It is nice to hike through the forest with a soothing sound of the creek when it's a hot summer day. The first half of the route to Comet Falls is tree-covered and the trail opens up to the sky in about 1.5 miles near Bloucher Falls which is a good spot to take a break and enjoy the view. Across the footlog bridge, follow the continuing trail and soon the dramatic Comet Falls comes into sight. Wow, it's big....392 feet! I could see why it's called Comet Falls.
The trail continues after passing Comet Falls and becomes a bit steep and strenuous as it gains more grade. In about a half mile or so, you come to a trail junction and go right to Van Trump Park. The maintained trail ends in 0.3 mile at 5,850 feet from the junction. Enjoy the view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens there.
I continued my journey trekking up the unmaintained trail toward the ridge across a green meadow. The unmaintained trail is generally in good shape except some of the log steps deteriorating, but nothing to worry about. Ascending the lush green meadow with Mt. Rainer in front and Mt. Adams/Mt. Saint Helens behind somehow reminded me of a scene from The Sound of Music. A short distance of the unmaintained trail to the top of the pass is really worthwhile because a big "wow" moment awaits you upon the top.
Wow!.....take in the stunning panoramic view of the vast meadow of wildflowers (still lots of lupines covering the meadow), Mt. Rainer with several water falls juxtaposing (at least four of them I could see) on the great wall of the saddles between the meadow and Mt. Rainier. Turn around and capture another spectacular panorama view - Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens on the skyline and Tatoosh Range/Goat Rock Peaks in the foreground.
Feeling awestruck by the amazing vistas, I continued ascending the unmaintained trail for another mile or so to get a closer view of the waterfalls, Mt. Rainier and glaciers....another wow! I could also see Van Trump Park down below from the higher range.
Van Trump Park may not be a popular destination like Paradise, and yet, it is an amazing and beautiful hike. I highly recommend this hike for those who prefer less foot traffic, spectacular waterfalls and grand vistas of Mt. Rainier/Mt. Adams/Mt. Saint Helens in serenity and untouched wilderness....and you could have it all for yourself. Two thumbs up!
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