Pinnacle Peak Trail

Pinnacle Peak Trail Map

Map centered on the Pinnacle Peak Trail on the south side of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is located at Reflection Lakes along the Stevens Canyon Road. The Pinnacle Peak Trail climbs south into the Tatoosh Range, ending at the saddle between Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak. Points of interest are marked by black symbols on the map. Several tools are represented by icons along the left side of the map. A ruler icon opens a tool to measure distance or area on the map. Clicking on plus or minus icons will zoom the view in/out, and clicking on a house icon will return the map to the original view centered on the Pinnacle Peak Trail.

 

Pinnacle Peak Trail

• Distance, round trip: 2.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 1050 feet
• Hiking time, round trip: 2 hours
• Wilderness camps: none

Trailhead Location

Drive east either from Longmire or Paradise on the Stevens Canyon Road to the parking area at Reflection Lakes. The trailhead is on the south side of the road.

Trail Description

Pinnacle Peak is situated in the middle of the Tatoosh Range at an elevation of 6,562 feet, the third highest peak in the range.

The trail begins with a gradual ascent but soon becomes a steep climb to the 5,920-foot saddle where the trail ends. This trail can have snow or loose rock surfaces all summer. Some sections of the trail skirt steep dropoffs.

Along the Trail

On a clear day the spectacular view from the saddle makes this hike well worth the effort. To the north is a dramatic close up view of Mount Rainier and Paradise. To the south, one sees Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens in the foreground and Oregon's Mount Hood on the horizon. This is an excellent trail on which to see pikas and marmots.

Pinnacle Peak Trail reaches the edge of the designated Butter Creek Research Natural Area (RNA). This is intended as a pristine natural area for ecological study and is closed to public use except pursuant to a scientific research permit, consistent with the national RNA system. Learn more about the Butter Creek Research Natural Area (RNA). Please stay on the trail and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Backpacking

There is no designated camp along this trail nor atop the Tatoosh Range.

Trail Regulations

• Always check current trail conditions before heading out. Current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Check hours of operation.
• Fires are prohibited.
• No pets on trails.
• Treat water before drinking.

 

Pets are not allowed on trails.

At Mount Rainier, pets are NOT allowed on trails, in wilderness and/or off trail areas, inside buildings, in amphitheaters, or on roads closed for winter (service animals excepted). Learn more about pets. 

 

Pinnacle Peak trail

13 Images

The Pinnacle Peak Trail not only presents you with panorama views of Mt. Rainier and the Paradise Valley, if you look to your south the saddle will grace you with endless ridges with Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens rising above them.

 

Hiking Safety