Most backpackers at mount rainier national park use the trailside camps listed below. Climbing mt rainier is a career goal for many cascade range peakbaggers, but exploring the parks many miles of trail equally popular among the less alpineinclined. Or, for those less intrepid souls just looking for breathtaking views, there are shorter selfguided nature walks between. Klapatche park trail in mount rainier is a bucket list hike that leads hikers through wildflower saturated meadows and offer great views mount rainier. Sorry to pull the oldtimer card, but back in the day this used to be a fantastic day hike off the westside road. Mount rainier national park, a washington national park. Detour across spray park, especially from midjuly to early august, says campbell, for the planets. Mount rainier makes an impressive showing above fields of lupine, aster, and penstemon. Mount rainier national park isnt known for its fishing, so dont be disappointed if you fail to catch fish, or if the fish are small. Mount rainier national park klapatche park trail trail description distance, roundtrip. Experience tells us that anglers success is often less than anticipated. It is surmised that the name klapatche is of indian origin but the exact meaning has been lost.
Klapatche park, 072410 072510 july 28, 2010 by jeremy 1 comment when i first flipped through my copy of 50 hikes in mount rainier national park and saw ira springs photograph of klapatche park, the destination shot to the top of my tohike list. Tahoma suspension bridge and from there, trekked along a portion of the wonderland trail to emerald ridge and back along the puyallup river and round pass. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national park s 93 milelong wonderland trail. There are a few good treks from the westside road trailhead in mount rainier national park. From klapatche park the wonderland trail steeply descends to the north puyallup river valley. Bicycles are allowed on park roads but they are not permitted on any hiking trails and the park does not have any designated bike trails. Bench and snow lakes, and klapatche park areas at paradise, and the golden lakes.
Enter mount rainier national park and one mile from the entrance, turn left north on westside road. Now that the route is closed, this high alpine park is accessible only on a multiday or epic day tripthough you could ride a bicycle down the closed road to the. Snow lingers well into the summer at higher elevations in the park so if you go before mid to latejuly you will likely experience snowfields that require routefinding and. The trail descends 350 feet then crosses the western ridge of aurora peak. The best access to klapatche park is via klapatche ridge trail, located eight miles from the washout up the westside road. Klapatche park trail in mount rainier national park is bucket list hike for sure.
The wonderland trail is mount rainier hiking at its best. Visit lake george and then the lookout on top of gobblers know, circle emerald ridge, or enjoy a stint on the wonderland. Brace yourself for wildflower saturated meadows and sweeping views mount rainier. Mount rainier national park encompasses the namesake peak. Backpacking adventure along the wonderland trail around mt. Rainier park has hiking trails that range in distance from 5 to 100 miles round trip. Climbing to emerald ridge on the wonderland trail, mount rainier national park. Jay satz, student conservation association, 2063244649 mount rainier national park is one of 39 national parks selected to receive a 2014 americas best idea grant from t he national park foundation, the official charity of americas. The inviting campsites are located on a small wooded knoll just above the lake. Biking at mount rainier washington bikeswashington bikes. Klapatche park in 2020 nature photos, mount rainier. For the first time in about 8 days we could see mt. Nestled amongst the trees of the historic longmire district and a short drive from the paradise area, the national park inn offers 25 cozy nonsmoking guestrooms that provide a quiet place to relax and unwind without the modern distractions of. I stand on top of the klapatche park, beautiful subalpine meadows, the west face of mt.
Andrews lake the trail reaches the western shore of aurora lake and klapatche park camp. Hiking devils dream to klapatche park on the wonderland. Toward the end of spring, doug and i explored one of mt rainier national parks many forgotten corners, the westside road. Their names aloneindian bar, summerland, indian henrys hunting ground, spray park, moraine park, emerald ridgeconjure up awe and amazement. The trail up from klapatche park was mostly covered in snow. Plan extra time to explore indian henrys hunting ground and st. The american falls with full moon at dusk lit with lights photographed from niagara falls, ontario, canada composite image. Reaching a skyscraping elevation of 14,411 feet, mount rainer is shrouded with 25 named glaciers that cover more than 35 square miles of the mountains rugged flanks. Alanna sobel, national park foundation, 2023546486 contact. Mount rainier glaciers mount rainier national park u. Select hike from dropdown menu all for the love of hiking. Klapatche park is just head reached by gently descending through flowering meadows. Mount rainier national park receives 2014 americas best. At mount rainier, cyclists can enjoy bicycling that is both challenging and scenic.
Rainier, wildflowers, and the narrow trail with small stones greet. September and early october are generally excellent times for cyclists to visit mount rainier. Rainier is located 90 miles southeast of seattle and, depending on the park entrance you choose to enter through, it will require a 1. Mount rainier meadow rovers play an integral role in the parks efforts to protect and preserve the health of our subalpine meadows. The wonderlands trail has been described as magical, through a wispyclouded august sky to the many glaciers, river valleys and high alpine meadows all while traveling through the through rainier s backcountry. Hiking from klapatche park to golden lakes on the wonderland trail.
Hiking mount rainiers wonderland trail the seattle times. Mount rainier national park backpacking and hiking trails. While most facilities and events are closed or canceled, outdoor spaces in some parks remain accessible to the public. The first weve seen mt rainier in almost a week even with all the rain, klapatche lake still wasnt full we were on the trail by 10. This road is sometimes closed due to rockfalls and washouts. Klapatche park features serene aurora lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, and grand views of mount rainier. The trail climbs through oldgrowth forest to meadows of klapatche park and aurora lake. A september idyll at klapatche park seattle backpackers magazine. Puyallup glacier viewed from aurora lake in klapatche park, 2014. Rainier national park hiking from the indian bar camp to the summerland camp the wonderland trail is 93 miles long, includes 22,000 of elevation gain and loss, and circumnavigates the tallest point in washington. If you are passing through seattle, set aside a day for some mt rainier hikes. Dominating the landscape in central washington, and visible from just about any high point in the state, mount rainier is the tallest volcanic peak in the pacific northwest.
Fish are not native to park lakes but some still survive as a result of past fish stocking efforts. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national parks 93 milelong wonderland trail. This morning i returned to sunset park as the trail continued south. Exploring mt rainiers westside road and emerald ridge. Klapatche park will give you a chance to experience the wonderlands trail with only 21 miles of hiking. Backpacking the campsites at klapatche park are some of the most popular in the park and are often full on summer weekend nights. Rainier to the east and klapatche ridge to the west. Washington trails association 705 2nd ave, suite 300 seattle, wa 98104 206 62567. Camp at klapatche park, mystic lake, and summerland. First, make certain to get in hiking shape, stick to a doable schedule, keep your friends close, keep an eye on your gearand have a blast we arrived at mount rainier national parks sunrise ranger station at 6,400 feet in elevation during a lightning storm, checking in as park personnel set up cb radios amidst downed. Some minimal route finding was required as footprints had melted out since the last hikers had gone through. Set up camp and await the light show on mount rainier. Rainier towards the beginning of the skyline trail. Klapatche park features a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, and.
The wonderlands trail has been described as magical, through a wispyclouded august sky to the many glaciers, river valleys and high alpine meadows all while traveling through the through rainiers backcountry. The section between devils dream and klapatche park has some. Klapatche park hiking trail, eatonville, washington hiking project. The 10 best mount rainier national park hotel deals may. From mowich lake, take the trail connecting to the wonderland trail and hike. The trail between klapatche park and golden lakes is a fast descent to north puyallup river at 3,750 feet, followed by a steady climb to golden lakes, and its much easier than the previous days march if youre headed north.
The latitude and longitude coordinates of mount rainier national park are 46. In fact there was snow for around another mile past st. Klapatche park is one of the many places on the west side of mount rainier national park that was made more difficult to reach and therefore. Going big with your first backpacking trip can mean a huge payoff. The park says this hike is a high meadow is a favorite for many hikers. The camp is in the forest along the edge of the meadow just north of aurora lake. Kevin bacher, mount rainier national park, 3605696567 contact. Hiking devils dream to klapatche park on the wonderland trail.
Klapatche park this high meadow is a favorite for many hikers. Emanating from these glaciers are dozens of rivers. Klapatche park mt rainier national park washington q2395. Visit lake george and then the lookout on top of gobblers know, circle emerald ridge, or enjoy a stint on the wonderland trail to klapatche park, all strenuous or harder trips. There are many legendary spots along mount rainier national parks 93 mile long wonderland trail. Whitebark ghost 1974 yakima park mt rainier national park washinton t6233. Tipsoo reflection 1994 mt rainier mt rainier national park washington.
Near the nisqually entrance to the park, this mile one way gravel route is open to motor vehicles for the first three miles, then becomes a hiking and mountain biking route to klapatche point. At the top, saint andrews lake tempts the weary traveler to stop and stay a while, but the cool prevailing westerly winds can quickly chill, and encourages one. Klapatche park trail mount rainier national park u. Moonset at dawn 1997 mt rainier mt rainier national park washington v2207. If you have visited mount rainier national park before, please tell us about it with a comment below. The area is filled with wildflowers during the mid summer months. The park contains outstanding examples of old growth forests and subalpine meadows. Located on the northwest slopes of mount rainier, the north mowich glacier is one of the most visible glaciers from the seattletacoma area. Mount rainier national park is a united states national park located in the american state of washington, some 54 miles 87 km southeast of seattle. Rainier viewed from aurora lake from klapatche park on the wonderland. Leaving klapatche park, it is well worth pausing to take in the last great views from this vantage point. Mount rainier national park topo map, pierce county wa.