Skyline Trail - Paradise

Skyline Trail Loop. Photo by noinoi

For its flower fields, raging waterfalls and rugged peaks, Paradise is one of the most popular parts of Mount Rainier, and the Skyline Trail is the epitome of Paradise. Come help make this a safer, more accessible trail by repairing tread and installing structures that will efficiently funnel water off the trail. Free camping is available for weekend volunteers. We will meet at the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park.

Contact WTA at trail_teams@wta.org or (206) 965-8565 by the Wednesday before your work party if you're interested in camping overnight at Longmire.

This route loops around the broad Edith Creek basin, leading through alpine flower fields, past thundering waterfalls, and over high, craggy peaks. In this one loop, you'll experience the best the Paradise region has to offer in terms of scenic beauty, rugged hiking, and varied terrain and ecosystems. You'll also find a memorial marking an important event in park history! Head northeast from the lodge, entering the lower reaches of Edith Creek basin on the Skyline Trail. At 0.6 mile, the trail crosses directly above the crashing cascade of Myrtle Falls. The best views are from the trail bridge, looking directly down the falls. The trail traverses the Edith Creek basin and loops around the headwall of the adjacent Paradise Valley. The trail passes the Stevens-Van Trump Historical Monument above Sluiskin Falls. The memorial is a stone and concrete bench placed to honor the first two climbers to ascend Mount Rainier. The placement of the memorial, above Sluiskin Falls, is said to be at the spot where Chief Sluiskin waited for the climbers to return from their summit bid. From this point, the trail angles northwest, climbing gradually to Golden Gate at 2.5 miles, where a trail leads left back to Myrtle Falls. Then climb more steeply, staying left at trail junctions, to Panorama Point (6800 feet) at 3.5 miles. From Panorama Point, descend past Glacier Vista, staying right at trail junctions above Alta Vista, then taking the east-bound trail below Alta Vista to return to the trailhead parking lot at 6 miles. Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books

Driving directions:
From the Seattle area drive south on I-5. At Lakewood, in the south part of Tacoma, take exit 127 for Highway 512, going east toward Puyallup. At Parkland, approximately 2 miles, turn right off of Highway 512 and onto Highway 7, proceeding south. Continue on Highway 7 to Elbe, then proceed east on Highway 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. At the entrance let them know you are volunteering with WTA and they will let you in the park without paying an entrance fee. Continue 17.5 miles to Paradise and the Henry Jackson Vistor Center. Look for WTA signs in the parking area to help you find your crew leader. Driving time from Seattle: about 3 hours.