Loop Hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park

In 2016 I published an article on hiking shorter segments in Mt. Rainier National Park, as that year only walk up permits were available and there was confusion and relative chaos for Wonderland Trail hikers. These loop hikes are of course still viable alternatives vice doing the entire Wonderland and gives the hiker more options, especially for walk up permits.

Of course, there are other loops available beyond those in the article, and some of my suggestions will be included here. If one is experienced and in excellent shape, these can be done as day hikes. However, overnights and multiday trips are always an option, availing oneself of the backcountry camps along the way. Happy Hiking!

Western Loop

Reference the intro about “How to Enjoy Mt Rainier in Short Segments.” One of the loops I wrote about is the Western Loop. I'll warn you up front, to complete this loop without backtracking you will be hiking 11 miles of the West Side Road and finishing up with about 2 miles on the main drag to return to your vehicle parked at the Kautz Creek trail head. However, in that article I explain that the west side of the park is the most inaccessible due to the closure of the West Side Road to vehicular traffic. It also sports some of the best scenery on the Wonderland. At that time I hadn’t actually done the Western Loop per se, but I gave it a go on August 7, 2024. If you want the condensed version (13 mins), you can see the video and the blog article here. But if you want the full meal, I have produced a this more immersive video. The “Extended Cut” version is only viewable here, with time stamps so the viewer can get a feel for doing this loop in one shot. Campsites along the way are the usual Wonderland Trail camps (So. Puyallup, Klapatche Park, No. Puyallup) as well as Lake George off the West Side Road. However you choose to enjoy the west side, either as this loop, a Wonderland thru hike, or even day hike forays from the West Side Road, you won’t be disappointed.

Mt. Rainier West Mini Loop

With beautiful fall weather, I secured a spot for 5 days at Cougar Rock Campground to get some outdoors time in. One of those days (Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023) I biked from Cougar Rock to the West Side Road, parking the bike at the rack at the South Puyallup trail head. From there it was a 13 mile loop hike up the So. Puyallup trail to the Wonderland, CW to St. Andrews Park and Lake, Klapatche Park, the St. Andrews Trail to the West Side Road...which I then hiked back to my bike and rode back to Cougar Rock. Round Trip stats: 42 miles (13 hiking)/5800' elevation. This video can also be viewed in the “Shorts” section.

Mother Mountain Orbit

This was a very popular loop hike when one could drive to the Carbon River entrance or Mowich Lake. Covering 16 miles and 4,000’ vertical, it was in the wheelhouse of most hikers as a day hike. Not so much now with the road closure to these entrances. However, the Spray Park trail is an alternate route for the Wonderland and many many hikers choose to go over this gem, especially if the weather is good. And in the filming this past year, I in fact had great weather on two transits, one CW and the other CCW owing to cranking out 3 Wonderland Trail hikes last year to reach 40 transits at age 70. This allows me the opportunity to show a complete CW transit from Mowich Lake, and the CCW transit from Mowich to the Carbon River suspension bridge. Both of these trips were early evening with appropriate light. Please enjoy this lingering view of Spray and Seattle Parks, along with the Wonderland trail portion through Ipsut Pass. Filmed in 4K, run time 33:23.

East Eastern Loop

NOTE: this is the original blog report on this hike. I plan to film this in 2026. There is what is known as the Eastern Loop Trail in MRNP, utilizing the Wonderland Trail over Panhandle Gap, the Owyhigh Lakes Trail and the Eastside Trail. This loop takes one through high alpine and lowland old growth, a gem for sure. A complete description can be found here

The flowered path along Dewey Lake

With this in mind, one can complete a loop further east, forging out to the PCT and heading north. The PCT pops in and out of the park boundary along the way, but the majority of this hike is within the confines of Mt. Rainier National Park. This East Eastern Loop has stats similar to the Eastern Loop, with 31 miles and 6,600 feet of elevation gain/loss. I completed this loop on July 28, 2018, experiencing heat, bugs, hail and rain, then sun again. IOW, all the makings of a great trip (I parked at the Stevens Canyon entrance). However, in retrospect I would say this loop is probably best done in the fall, before the early snows hit the upper reaches of the PCT. It suits itself perfectly with its wonderful old growth forest trails, with open views along the PCT above 5500 feet. A fall hike with crisp air, no bugs and late season colors seems especially inviting. This is not to say my summer jaunt was without its rewards. Anytime one is out in the mountains one can expect hindrances to outdoors bliss. In my case it was rather warm (for Washington) temperatures and an abundance of skeeters. However, the wild flowers were a bloomin' and the oppressive heat was mitigated by cool breezes. In my case, approaching 20 miles on my feet, the low point was feeling ill as I climbed out of Dewey Lake towards the high point near 5900 feet above Chinook Pass. The heat was taking its toll. Relief came in the form of sudden hail and rain. While the tourists in T-shirts were scattering (this point is close to the parking area at Chinook Pass), I reveled in the cooler temperatures and made a quick recovery. As soon as I turned on the Eastside trail and headed south, I spent the last 11 miles of the loop in solitude.

Silver Falls on the East Eastern Loop

Although this loop offers plenty of camping choices, most on the PCT portion and Deer Creek camp on the Eastside trail, the terrain is mild enough to make a most excellent day trip if one has the legs. The Laughingwater Creek trail offers a prime example of old growth forest hiking, gaining altitude on a gentle grade, slowly transitioning to the more alpine environment above 5000 feet. The PCT portion offers views towards the mountain and rolling trail interspersed with lakes, bogs or tarns. And although I found the northern portions of the Eastside trail in sometimes poor shape (blowdowns, rutted sections), the southern portion finds one back in old growth forest with splashing creeks, eventually crossing the Ohanapecosh River and listening to its gentle roaring all the way to your waiting vehicle.

Rainier from the PCT

DESCRIPTION: From Stevens Canyon entrance (park at the Grove of the Patriarchs area) proceed across the road to the Silver Falls trail towards Ohanapecosh. Take the Laughingwater Creek trail, crossing Highway 123, to intersect the PCT northbound. Once above Dewey Lake, go left on the Naches Loop trail (still signed as the PCT) until reaching Chinook Pass, then go left on the Eastside trail, which will take you back to your waiting vehicle.

Avalanche lillies

Refreshing rain drops on foliage

Morning light on the Laughingwater Creek trail