There is parking about 500 feet north of the trailhead.
There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. There is a toilet at the summit at the camp.
No permits are needed to park here or enter this part of Mount Rainier National Park.
No pets allowed on national Park trails including this trail.
Review: September 30, 2024
From the parking area walk along the shoulder of the road using a foot path adjacent to the shoulder. Once you reach the trailhead, you start climbing immediately through a forest of mock trees. There is a mix of older, second growth and old growth hemlocks, and Douglas fur. Some of the trees at the beginning of this trail are 4 feet in diameter or so.
The undergrowth here is mainly vine, maple deer, fern, and vanilla leaf.
You’ll pass some nice patches of vine maple as you walk across rocky slopes.
The first 0.25 mile is a pretty steady climb and then it levels out a bit before resuming the uphill climb. Trail is wide and well-maintained. And it doesn’t take long to leave the sounds of the road behind you.
The trail gains about 700 feet in elevation over the first mile from the parking lot. There are a few partial views of the mountain to the right but the trail is in the forest for the first part of the hike.
After climbing for about 1.5 miles the trail starts coming out into open areas. Then in about 1.8 miles you reach the first of several switchbacks climbing up the slope of Shriner peak. Here the ground cover has changed so that Oregon grape is the predominant plant, though it is fairly sparse because of the tree canopy.
Climbing higher, the forest transitions into a mixture of Douglas fur, Noble fur, and grand fur. The undergrowth changes from Oregon grape to bear grass, dear ferns, and Kinnick with some huckleberries thrown in.
Climbing the slopes up to switchbacks the forest begins to thin and you can see more of the nearby mountain ridges.
After hiking 2 1/2 miles and gaining 2000 feet you come to a break in the trees where you get your first glimpse of Mount Adams in the distance, but it is mostly hidden behind a nearby no mountain ridge.
A short distance further up the trail there’s a switchback with a short spur trail that goes to an outstanding view of Mount Rainier. Take the side trip for a great view looking up one of the river valleys.
The views of Mount Rainier disappear as you ascend higher and higher across the mountain slope. Soon the trail ascends on the west side of the peak and Mt. Rainier is almost a constant companion across the Cowlitz River Valley,. After Hiking about 3 miles and gaining almost 2500 feet you crest a small ridge and drop down a little before the final climb up to the peak.
The trail narrows and switchbacks up to the broad summit where there are open and unobstructed views of Mt. Rainier. You can also see Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Adams on a clear day
Climb the stairs to the lookout and walk around the deck for plenty of views though the best views are right were the trail reaches the summit.
You can take the trail to Shriner Peak Camp and check out the 2 campsites and the toilet.
After enjoying the views make your way back down the trail to the parking area.
Recent Comments