Trails and Backcountry Camp Conditions

 
View South of Panhandle Gap 07/20/2024. Minor navigation and snow travel skills required. Be very cautious of thinning snow bridges.
07/20/2024 Trail south of Panhandle Gap. Minor navigation skills required. Be very cautious of thinning snow bridges.

NPS/ Sarah Pigeon

Mount Rainier can receive 700 or more inches of snow each winter. When spring comes to the mountains it is a very busy time for Park Rangers. The previous fall usually brings the rainy season which causes damage to trails and camps by raging waters, high winds and falling trees. All this damage gets covered by 10-20 feet of snow, and there it sits until melt-out which often does not occur in earnest until late June or early July. The snow usually starts melting in high volumes, causing more damage to trails and camps. The Trail Crew may have to clear hundreds of trees from the trails each year. Replacing footlogs and bridges is also a major project. Footlogs are also prone to being washed out anytime there is a prolonged period of rain regardless of the season.

Wilderness Rangers and Trail Crew members are out and about early in the season trying to assess the damage. Given the vastness of the trail system and the volumes of snow, this is a large task. As we get reliable information on the status of a trail, a section of trail or a backcountry camp, that information will be posted here on the website.

Please note that many park roads and facilities close during winter. At any time during the year the weather can change quickly and unexpectedly. Always check current weather conditions before heading out on a trail.

 
 

Backcountry Trails and Camp Reports

Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September). A Wilderness Camping Permit is required year round for camping or climbing in the park. Always check with Park Rangers for trail conditions before heading out into the backcountry. FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED in the wilderness at Mount Rainier.

Be prepared for harsh conditions and fast-changing weather. River crossings are prone to washing out, potentially leaving you stranded on one side of the crossing. Always cross early in the day when water levels are at their lowest. Use extreme caution anytime you attempt to ford a river or creek. Expect log footbridges and other river crossings to be washed out during the fall/winter, when powerful rain events are common. These crossings are not replaced until the following spring/summer. Be prepared... mountain weather is good one minute, daunting the next. Learn more about hiking safety.

Check the Northwest Avalanche Center Report and the Mount Rainier Recreational Weather Report before heading out. Avalanche assessment and route-finding skills are needed for many winter activities in the park. Learn more about winter recreation.
Do not leave valuables in your car. While break-ins are infrequent, they do occur.

NOTE: Please note the date for reports and recognize that changes may have occurred since the report. Conditions are updated when there is new information.

Register for Permits During the Winter and Spring Season

  • Climbers can self register at the Paradise Old Station.
  • Permits for overnight camping in the backcountry are required year-round.
  • From October 15, 2024-May 26, 2025, permits can be obtained at the Carbon River Ranger Station and at the Longmire Museum.
  • For trips starting in the northeast (SR410) or southeast (SR123) corners of the park, permits can be obtained by self-registration at the Crystal Lakes trailhead and the White River WIC for trips in the northeast corner of the park and at the Southeast entrance archway for trips in the southeast corner of the park.
  • Winter group permits (13 or more people) can be obtained in advance on Recreation.gov as soon as there is the required five feet of consolidated snow on the ground at Paradise. Permits for parties of 12 or fewer can be obtained in person the day your trip starts of one day prior.

Climbers

  • October-April climbers can self-register at the Paradise Old Ranger Station. The Annual Climbing Fee is required for each climber before self-registration. Details on paying the Annual Climbing Fee online are available on the Climbing webpage.

Trails in the Carbon River Area

The Carbon River Road to Ipsut Creek Campground is CLOSED at the park entrance because of 2006 flood damage. It is now a five mile hike into Ipsut Creek Campground. Bikes are permitted ONLY as far as Ipsut Creek Campground.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary

The Carbon River Ranger Station is located 5.5 miles past the Mowich Lake turn-off, toward the Carbon River entrance. It is on the left side of the road.

Ipsut Creek Campground is being managed as a backcountry camp. A wilderness permit will be required to camp at Ipsut Creek. Fires and pets are not permitted beyond the point where public vehicles can legally park at the park entrance.
Carbon River & Mowich Area Trails Map

Carbon Glacier Trail 0 Lower Carbon bridge is in. 07/11/2024
Chenuis Fall 0 Bridge is in. 05/25/2024
Green Lake 0 Snow free. 5/25/2024
Ipsut Falls 0 Snow Free. 05/25/2024
Northern Loop: Carbon River- Windy Gap 0 07/21/2024
Paul Peak Trail 0 05/31/2024
Rain Forest Loop 0 Open 05/26/2024
Spray Park 30 Still some stretches of snow coverage where minor navigation skills are required. Avalanche lilies GALORE, Jeffrey shooting-stars, mountain Indian paintbrushes. 07/17/2024
Seattle Park 0 07/17/2024
Tolmie Peak 0 07/07/2024

Trails in the Longmire Area

The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round.

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary Longmire Area Trails Map
Carter Falls (from Cougar Rock Campground) 0 05/25/2024
Comet Falls Trail (Van Trump Park Trail) 0 Snow free to Comet Falls. Patchy snow start just above Comet Falls. Some navigation required to get to VanTrump Park. 07/07/2024
Denman Falls Trail 0 06/09/2024
Eagle Peak Trail 0 7/17/2024
Goat Lake Trail (Glacier View Wilderness) 0 Forest Service Road 59 CLOSED. Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September) 07/23/2024
Kautz Creek Trail 0 07/12/2024
Lake George & Gobblers Knob Trail 0 Small patches of snow between Lake George and Gobblers Knob. 07/07/2024
Mildred Point Trail 0 07/12/2024
Mirror Lakes Trail 0 Wet and muddy. 06/24/2024
Narada Falls Trail (Paradise to viewpoint below Narada Falls) 0 06/07/2024
North Puyallup River Trail 0 06/25/2024
Rampart Ridge Loop Trail 0 05/25/2024
Rampart Ridge Trail (Upper section from Wonderland Trail to Van Trump Park and Comet Falls) 0 07/08/2024
Round Pass Trail 0 05/27/2024
Saint Andrews Creek Trail 0 07/08/2024
South Puyallup River Trail 0 05/27/2024
Trail of the Shadows 0 05/25/2024
Twin Firs Trail 0 05/25/2024
Tahoma Creek Trail CLOSED DUE TO DEBRIS FLOW AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THE TAHOMA CREEK HAS TAKEN OVER THE TRAIL. NOTE: This is an unmaintained trail in an area with high risk of geohazards such as flooding and debris flows. These events have occurred frequently in the past and are expected to occur again. There are only remnants of this trail remaining. Navigation is difficult and the route is hazardous. It is NOT recommended to hike Tahoma Creek Trail. 10/9/2023

Trails in the Ohanapecosh Area

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary Ohanapecosh Area Trails Map
Cowlitz Divide Trail (Olallie Creek Trail) 0 07/14/2024
Eastside Trail 0

07/23/2024
Grove of the Patriarchs Trail CLOSED: BRIDGE HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND IS CLOSED. 06/27/2024
Laughingwater Creek Trail 15 Snow free until the final mile before camp. Numerous blowdowns make hiking rather difficult. 06/11/2024
Pacific Crest Trail Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September) 10/9/2023
Shriner Peak Trail 0 Water source at 5200 still flowing, will dry up soon. 07/10/2024
Silver Falls Trail 0 05/25/2024

Trails in the Paradise Area

The main road to Longmire is OPEN year round. During winter months, the road from Longmire to Paradise closes nightly at the gate at Longmire. Check Twitter for daily road status updates (Twitter account not required to view).

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary Paradise Area Trails Map
Alta Vista Trail 0 07/20/2024
Dead Horse Creek Trail 0 07/20/2024
Fourth Crossing Trail 0 07/20/2024
Glacier Vista Trail 50 07/20/2024
Golden Gate Trail 50 07/20/2024
High Lakes Loop Trail 0 07/20/2024
Lakes Trail (Mazama Ridge) 0 07/20/2024
Moraine Trail 0 07/20/2024
Nisqually Vista Trail 0 07/20/2024
Paradise Glacier Trail 50 Some navigation skills required. 07/20/2024
Pebble Creek Trail (to the base of the Muir Snowfield) 100 Expert winter and navigation skills required. 07/08/2024
Pinnacle Peak Trail 0 07/22/2024
Skyline Trail 30 07/20/2024
Snow Lake/Bench Lake Trail 0 07/08/2024
Stevens Creek Trail 0 06/17/2024

Trails in the White River Area

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary Sunrise Area Trails Map
Burroughs Mountain Trail To First Burroughs (from Frozen Lake) 5 Steep snow slope. Microspikes recommended. 07/20/2024
First Burroughs Mountain LOOP Trail 5 Steep snow slope. Microspikes recommended. 07/20/2024
Burroughs Mountain to Glacier Basin Trail 5 07/20/2024
Crystal Lakes Trail 0 07/20/2024
Crystal Peak Trail 0 Trilliums, Jacobs Ladder, Phlox, Current, avie and glacier lilies 06/24/2024
Emmons Moraine Trail 0 06/11/2024
Glacier Basin Trail 0 07/20/2024
Grand Park Trail (via Northern Loop Trail) 0 07/15/2024
Huckleberry Creek Trail 5 07/12/2023
Lake Eleanor Trail 0 Please stay on the trail and refrain from walking on fagile meadows. 07/12/2024
Mt. Fremont Trail 0 07/17/2024
Naches Peak Trail 5 Be cautious of snow bridges. Pasqueflower, cinquefoil, Jacob's ladder, Glacier lily, Avalanche lily. 07/17/2024
Northern Loop Trail: Berkeley Park to Windy Gap 0 07/17/2024
Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from White River Road) 0 No snow to Tamanos Camp. Quickly melting snow past Tamanos Camp. Pasque flowers, Jacobs's ladders, yellow violets, glacier lilies, spring beauties, lousewort, hellebore, and trilliums. 07/05/2024
Owyhigh Lakes Trail (from Highway 123) 0 07/05/2024
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) NORTH from Chinook Pass to Sourdough Gap. 0 07/14/2024
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) SOUTH from Chinook Pass to Laughingwater Creek Trail junction 5 In the Dewey Lake area, there is a tree across the trail and some thin snow bridges. Microspikes and trekking poles are helpful. Be cautious of post-holing. 07/12/2024
Palisades Lakes Trail 0 Lupine, sundrops, cascade golden rod, veronicas, avalanche, glacier, and tiger lilies, pasque flowers, Jacob's ladders, cascade asters, long leaf blue berries, and huckleberries. 07/14/2024
Silver Forest Trail 0 07/08/2024
Sourdough Ridge Trail West (Sunrise to Frozen Lake) 0 07/08/2024
Sourdough Ridge Trail East (Sunrise to Sunrise Point) 0 07/08/2024
Sunrise Rim Trail 0 07/14/2024
Tipsoo Lake Trail 0 07/14/2024

Wonderland Trail

Trail Name

% Snow Cover

Trail Conditions

Update

Summary Extra caution should be used when crossing rivers in the time of high water during warm weather days. Refer to Crossing Streams Safely 06/16/2024
Longmire to Indian Henry's 0 07/14/2024
Indian Henry's to South Puyallup River 0 07/14/2024
South Puyallup River to Klapatche Park 0 07/14/2024
Klapatche Park to North Puyallup River 0 07/14/2024
North Puyallup River to Golden Lakes 0 07/07/2024
Golden Lakes to South Mowich River 0 07/1/2024
South Mowich River to Mowich Lake 0 07/14/2024
Mowich Lake to Ipsut Creek Campground 0 07/14/2024
Ipsut Creek Campground to Carbon Glacier 0 07/08/2024
Carbon Glacier to Mystic Lake 0 Dick Creek bridge is out. This is an ankle deep crossing. 07/18/2024
Mystic Lake to Sunrise 0 07/18/2024
Sunrise to White River Campground 0 07/15/2024
White River Campground to Summerland 0 Flowers blooming in meadow just beyond the lower Fryingpan Creek crossing 07/14/2024
Summerland to Indian Bar 30 Be cautious of thinning snow bridges (just because there is an obvious boot pack over a snow bridge, does not mean it is safe). The upper Fryingpan crossing bridge is out. This is an ankle deep crossing. The snow-bridge is no longer safe to cross. Steep, hazardous snow slope with overhanging cornice at Panhandle Gap. Expert navigation, sturdy boots, traction and ice axes required. 07/19/2024
Indian Bar to Box Canyon 5 07/19/2024
Box Canyon to Reflection Lakes

0

There is a significant hazardous slide between Silvia Falls and Martha Falls. The trail is at risk of further collapse. Crossing on the trail is not recommended. Alternates for thru-hikers include walking the Stevens Canyon Road or hiking off trail down to the riverbed and back up as one nears the slide area. For day hikers: Martha falls can be accessed from the west, where the trail crosses the road, just east of Louise Lake, and Silvia falls can be accessed from the east, at Box Canyon. 07/15/2024
Reflection Lakes to Narada Falls 0 07/01/2024
Narada Falls to Longmire 0 07/01/2024

Carbon Area Backcountry Camps

The road to Ipsut Creek Campground is closed at the park entrance, secondary to flood damage in 2006. All backcounrty camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Permits at Carbon River just inside the entrance to the park.

Camp Name

% Snow Cover

Camp Conditions

Update

# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary

The road to Ipsut Creek is CLOSED. The hike is 5 miles from the Carbon River Entrance to Ipsut Creek Campground, which is now managed as a wilderness camp and requires a wilderness permit. There is a new Ranger Station located about 2 miles before the Carbon River entrance. This is the place to get permits and information for the Carbon/Mowich area.The Ranger Station at the entrance is no longer in operation.

10/9/2023

Carbon River Camp #4/1 (3195')

0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/21/2024
Cataract Valley Camp #6/1 (4620') 0 Bear pole up. toilet open. 06/21/2024
Dick Creek Camp #2/0 (4185') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/30/2024
Eagle's Roost Camp #7/0 (4885') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/09/2023
Ipsut Creek #12/1 (2400') 0 Bear boxes in. 05/25/2024
Mowich Lake Walk-in Camp (4900') 0 Bear box in. Toilet open. 07/17/2024
Mystic Camp #7/1 (5570') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/18/2024
South Mowich River Camp #3/1 (2605') 0 Bear pole UP. Toilet open. 05/31/2025

Longmire/Paradise Area Backcountry Camp

All backcountry camping requires a permit. Obtain Wilderness Camping permits daily at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center (Summer only) or the Longmire Museum (After Columbus Day-Memorial Day).

Camp Name

% Snow Cover

Camp Conditions

Update

# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary
Devil's Dream Camp #7/1 (5060') 0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. Some sites very wet. 07/01/2024
Golden Lakes Camp #5/1 (5130') 0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. Please store scented items on the bear pole. There have been consistant bear sightings. 07/15/2024
Klapatche Park Camp #4/0 (5515') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/29/2024
Lake George Camp #5/1 (4320') 0 Bear poles are up and toilet is open. 07/01/2024
Maple Creek Camp #4/1 (2815') 0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. 05/31/2024
North Puyallup River Camp #3/1 (3750') 0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. 06/09/2024
Paradise River Camp #3/1 (3805') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/01/2024
Pyramid Creek Camp #2/0 (3765') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 05/25/2024
Snow Lake Camp #2/0 (4690') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/12/2024
South Puyallup River Camp #4/1 (4000') 0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. 06/09/2023

Eastside Backcountry Camps

Camp Name

% Snow Cover

Camp Conditions

Update

# of Individual/Group sites are show as #I/G, (elevation)
Summary Diligently practice proper food storage; never leave food unattended including in a backpack or tent; never leave food in a tent at night.
Berkeley Park Camp #2/1 (5375') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/12/2024
Deer Creek Camp #2/0 (2950') 0 Toilet open. Bear pole up. 06/20/2024
Dick's Lake Camp #1/0 (5675') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/12/2024
Fire Creek Camp #3/1 (4300') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/16/2024
Forest Lake Camp #1/0 (5660') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/02/2024
Glacier Basin Camp #5/1 (5965') 0

Bear barrels out. Toilets open.

07/12/2024
Granite Creek #3/1 (5765')
0 Bear poles up. Toilet open. 07/07/2024
Indian Bar #4/1 (5120') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/19/2024
James Camp #3/1 (4620') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/18/2024
Lake Eleanor Camp #3/1 (5000') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 06/17/2024
Lower Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5450') 0 Bear pole is up. Toilet open. 06/25/2024
Nickel Creek Camp #3/1 (3385') 0 Bear pole up. toilet open. 06/24/2024
Olallie Creek Camp #2/1 (3940') 0 Bear pole up. toilet open. 07/1/2024
Shriner Peak Camp #2/0 (5355') 0 Bear pole up, toilet open. 07/19/2024
Summerland Camp #5/1 (5940') 0 Toilet open. Bear poled up. 07/19/2024
Sunrise Walk-In Camp #8/2 (6245') 0 Bear box in. Toilet open. 07/12/2024
Tamanos Creek Camp #4/2 (5270') 0 Toilet under open. Bear pole up. 07/20/2024
Three Lakes Camp #2/1 (4680') 100 Bear pole down. Toilet under snow. 06/10/2024
Upper Crystal Lake Camp #2/0 (5825') 0 Toilet open. Bear pole down. 06/25/2024
Upper Palisades Lake Camp #2/0 (5835') 0 Bear pole up. Toilet open. 07/12/2024
White River Walk-in Camp #3/1 (4300') 0 Bear box in. 06/10/2024
Yellowstone Cliffs Camp #2/0 (5180') Bear pole is down. Toilet is under snow. Trail and backcountry camp conditions are reported in detail during the summer months only (generally June-September) 10/9/2023

Last updated: July 23, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

Phone:

360 569-2211

Contact Us