Current Wonderland Trail conditions: Panhandle Gap and Stevens Canyon Expert Winter travel skills including navigation, self arrest, etc. required. Trhu-hiking the Stevens Canyon section is not advised due to significant slide area.
NPS/I. Bellows, NPS/D. Van der Elst
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.
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
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.
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).
East Lake trail snow free to Faraway Rock, then about 20 % coverage. High Lakes Trail also 20 % coverage with snow drifts 20-30 yards long and boot path off the established trail at times. One needs to take care to find the trail when the snow ends. Several groups doing the Lakes Loop with some minor navigation challenges.
07/07/2024
Lakes Trail (Mazama Ridge)
90
Expert winter and navigation skills required.
07/08/2024
Moraine Trail
90
Expert winter and navigation skills required.
07/08/2024
Nisqually Vista Trail
80
Trail is currently marked. Please be cautious of post-holing and snow-bridges.
07/01/2024
Paradise Glacier Trail
100
Expert winter and navigation skills required.
07/08/2024
Pebble Creek Trail (to the base of the Muir Snowfield)
Crystal Lakes: Snow-free until the final 0.5 miles below Upper Crystal Lake. The last 1/2 mile to Upper Crystal Lakes is 20% snow-covered. Meadows with sensitive vegetation emerging. The trail is water-logged. Navigation required between Upper Crystal Lakes up to Sourdough Gap.
06/25/2024
Crystal Peak Trail
0
Trilliums, Jacobs Ladder, Phlox, Current, avie and glacier lilies
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.
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
10
07/12/2024
Tipsoo Lake Trail
10
07/12/2024
Wonderland Trail
Trail Name
% Snow Cover
Trail Conditions
Update
Summary
Many bear poles are down for the season. Please be prepared to carry a bear canister.
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
20
Expert winter and navigation skills required. Dick Creek bridge is out.
06/26/2024
Mystic Lake to Sunrise
25
Expert navigation skills and winter travel skills required. Steep snow slopes. Boots and trekking poles recommended. Sunrise to Frozen Lake via Sourdough Gap: 60% snow coverage. Steep snow slopes, navigation required, and ice axe recommended. Frozen Lake to Skyscraper Pass WLT: 75% snow coverage after Frozen Lake. Expert navigation required. Boot pack is unreliable leading up to the pass due to quickly changing snow conditions. Steep snow slope as you gain the saddle. Ice axe required. Hikers may consider alternate route over. Post holing about 6-12 inches consistently, sometimes calf deep. Skyscraper Pass to Granite Creek Camp: 25% snow, navigation required. Granite Creek Camp to Mystic Lake: 15% snow, navigation required, conditions changing quickly, watch for snow bridges melting out along the trail. The trail is very wet and muddy in some places, waterproof boots recommended. The Winthrop Creek foot log is in. - Board broken just below 5800' between Granite Creek and the Winthrop. Still usable. - Handrail is missing from the bridge .1 miles before camp
06/24/2024
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
100
100% snow coverage. Thinning snow bridges. Steep, hazardous snow slope with overhanging cornice at Panhandle Gap. Expert navigation, sturdy boots, traction and ice axes required.
06/22/2024
Indian Bar to Box Canyon
50
Box Canyon to Indian Bar: 50% snow coverage. Patchy snow begins at 5,100'. Continuous snow begins at 5,400' and persists the remaining 3.5 miles into Indian Bar. Snow is steep and deep, especially around switchbacks. Bootpack leads over awkward snow load just before reaching 5,930'. Expert navigation, sturdy boots, traction and trekking poles or ice axe required.
06/22/2024
Box Canyon to Reflection Lakes
5
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.
Ankle twister snow bridges between Reflection and Louise in the last .5 miles to Louise.
07/01/2024
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')
20
Bear pole up. Toilet open. 6/7 individual sites are snow free. Group site 50% snow covered.
06/24/2024
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')
100
Bear pole up. Toilet under snow.
07/03/2024
James Camp #3/1 (4620')
50
2 individual sites and group site are snow free.
06/17/2024
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')
50
Bear pole up, toilet open. 1 site snow free. 1 site under snow. 4ft of snow at the top.
06/19/2024
Summerland Camp #5/1 (5940')
10
Toilet open. Bear poled up. Mostly snow free.
07/07/2024
Sunrise Walk-In Camp #8/2 (6245')
0
Bear box in. Toilet open.
07/12/2024
Tamanos Creek Camp #4/2 (5270')
10
Toilet under open. Bear pole up. Site 2 snow-covered.
06/28/2024
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)
