Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [280]
Rampart Ridge Trail
4.6 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Across road from Longmire Museum.
This is a somewhat steep trail at first (the elevation gain is 1,339 ft.), before you arrive at the top of an ancient lava flow called the Ramparts, which offers panoramic views of the Nisqually Valley to the south, Mount Rainier to the north, and, to the west, the site of the massive Kautz Creek Mudflow of 1947. It's also your connection with many of the other trails in the area, including the Van Trump, Comet, and Christine Falls trails.
Trail of Shadows Nature Trail
.7 mile RT. Easy. Access: Across road from Longmire Museum.
This short, level loop trail is a highly enjoyable walk through the forest around Longmire Meadow. It takes you past the former site of the Longmire Springs Hotel, as well as a log cabin that's the oldest man-made structure in the park. Don't drink from the springs.
Van Trump Park & Comet Falls Trail
5.6 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Below Christine Falls Bridge on road to Paradise.
This steep trail (total elevation gain of 2,200 ft.) leads through beautiful old-growth forest to scenic Comet Falls, the second-highest falls in the park at 320 feet. Hiking another mile uphill takes you to beautiful views of the Nisqually, Van Trump, and Kautz glaciers. This is a popular trail in the summer, but it can be dangerous in early summer due to flooding and steep, icy slopes; stop in at the ranger station and ask for information on trail conditions before heading up.
PARADISE AREA
Alta Vista
1.75 miles RT. Easy. Access: Jackson Visitor Center parking lot.
This popular day hike meanders through subalpine meadows along a trail that leads to the top of an overlook with views of Paradise Meadows, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens to the south. There's a 600-foot elevation gain.
Bench & Snow Lakes Trail
2.5 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Stevens Canyon Rd., 1½ miles east of Reflection Lakes.
You can catch both lakes on this trail of gradual ups and downs over low ridges before reaching Bench Lake after .75 mile, then continuing another .5 mile to Snow Lake, with beautiful views of bear-grass and meadow flowers. The round-trip takes about an hour, with a 700-foot elevation gain.
Dead Horse Creek Trail
2.5 miles RT. Easy to moderate. Access: Northern end of Jackson Visitor Center parking lot.
The Dead Horse Trail serves as a conduit to the Moraine and Glacier Vista trails, as well as providing beautiful views of the Nisqually Glacier to your left as you head up the ridge. You will be rewarded with especially dramatic views if you take the Moraine Trail spur to the left, .75 mile up the path.
Nisqually Vista Trail
1.2 miles RT. Easy. Access: Jackson Visitor Center.
This interpretive trail leads across rolling terrain, with a 200-foot elevation gain, to explore the high-country flowers, with views of the Nisqually Glacier.
Skyline Loop Trails
5.8–6.5 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Left of Paradise Ranger Station, next to restrooms.
These trails are a good choice for high-elevation hiking, without going all the way to the top of Mount Rainier. They're sort of extended versions of all the trails that surround Paradise, offering lots of beautiful subalpine meadows and close-up views of the Nisqually Glacier, one of the most visible and beautiful glaciers in the park. At Panorama Point, there is a pit toilet for a quick stop before the trail begins to loop back around to the southeast. At the top of this loop, you may have to traverse some snow. There's a 1,700-foot elevation gain. On the way back, check out the views of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens.
SUNRISE & NORTHEASTERN AREAS
Berkeley Park/Grand Park Trail
13 miles RT. Strenuous. Access: Branches off Sourdough Ridge Trail (described below).
Head for the high tableland meadows and the wildflower and green