Willis Wall Multimedia

CELEBRATE THE OUTDOORS

  • About
  • Wonderland Trail
    • Wonderland Trail: Complete Video Series
    • Wonderland Enhancement Videos
    • Mt Rainier 7Up Hikes
    • My Wonderland
    • Filming the Trail
    • Pain and Suffering: Wonderland Trail in 3 Days
    • Past Updates
  • Willis Wall Blogs
    • Willis Wall Blog
    • 60
    • Questions
    • Blog Posts Reference
  • 35 Years in MRNP
    • 35 Years in MRNP
    • Mt. Rainier Hikes 2018
    • Mt. Rainier All Trails gallery
  • Grand Tour (MRNP)
    • Grand Tour (MRNP)
  • Video Guide
    • Complete Video Guide
    • Biking Mt. Rainier
    • Mt Adams RTM offtrail
    • Eliot Creek Crossing: Timberline Trail
    • Paradise to Camp Muir
    • Hurricane Ridge Road Bike
    • Mt. Baker Highway 542 bike
    • Washington Pass Bike (Cascades)
    • Hike Longer Distances and Panhandle Gap Overload
  • Kendo
    • Kendo
  • Music
    • Music
    • Audio Samples
  • Search
  • Contact
    • Contact Willis Wall
Mt. Rainier from past the saddle on the Eagle Peak trail

Mt. Rainier from past the saddle on the Eagle Peak trail

Eagle Peak Trail/Mildred Point/Van Trump Park

September 23, 2018 by Stephen Burgess

I took advantage of the leading edge of an incoming high pressure system to get these two hikes in. The Eagle Peak trail is the bookend to the Pinnacle Peak trail, cradling the northern part of the Tatoosh Range. Due to time constraints I was not able to do more than check out the scramble routes to Eagle and Chutla Peaks, but enjoyed crisp clear skies once I climbed above the fog layer. This is an excellent trail with steady grade; I was able to maintain pace on most of the 3,000 foot ascent to the saddle, where the “end of maintained trail” sign is. It also made for easy trotting all the way back to my vehicle, which I regained 3 hours later. Stats for this trail: 8 miles/3,000’.

Clear skies and fall colors on the Eagle Peak trail

Clear skies and fall colors on the Eagle Peak trail

A hiker gazes down at Kautz Creek (Mildred Point)

A hiker gazes down at Kautz Creek (Mildred Point)

Comet Falls from the trail

Comet Falls from the trail

I drove the relatively short distance to the trail head for Comet Falls for round two under noticeably less blue….a cloud layer had moved in and essentially stayed for the rest of my day. However, no rain was anticipated nor encountered. I had been on the Rampart Ridge trail to Van Trump Park years ago but missed some essential points, which I covered today. Comet Falls is truly impressive with an open view to the lengthy drop of this watercourse. The trail continued to the right, switch backing up until I crossed the creek above the falls. I continued on to Mildred Point, a bit of a quad buster on the last half mile. Big, steep steps. But Mildred Point sports one of the best views I’ve seen in this entire park, despite the “main attraction” being in absentia. The cloud layer precluded views above to the glacier, but the overlook down to Kauntz Creek is steep and sometimes precipitous, magnifying the view. I looked right to an airy jagged outcropping and made my way there to perch on top, albeit with cautious footing. I’ve stood atop many a peak in this park, and this pinnacle ranks as one of the airiest.

Eventually I had to leave, and trotted back to the intersection for the spur trail to Van Trump Park (.3 miles). Time was running short for me so I didn’t continue past the “end of maintained trail” very far, although the trail looks to continue for quite a distance. I have a future jaunt in mind on this continuance to Wapowety Cleaver. Van Trump Park is one of the most accessible high alpine areas on Mt. Rainier. But my time constraints mandated a departure, and in less than an hour I was back at my vehicle. Stats for this hike: 11 miles/4,100’. Total Stats: 19 miles/7,100’

Van Trump Park

Van Trump Park

Falls Creek (Comet Falls Trail)

Falls Creek (Comet Falls Trail)

Fall colors on the Comet Falls Trail

Fall colors on the Comet Falls Trail

September 23, 2018 /Stephen Burgess
  • Newer
  • Older

© 2019 Willis Wall Multimedia

all rights reserved