This is the trail to do at Paradise. The Dead Horse trail parallels but this one connects to everything. Much of it is paved but be prepared to do 1000' or more of elevation in a few miles.
Be ready for the most amazing vistas as you ascend the trail that will give you a choice of taking the high route that connects to the Camp Muir trail OR the lower route that crosses snowfields and still provides unmatched views of Mt. Rainier, the Tatoosh Range and meadows of wildflowers.This is a moderate to difficult hike at altitude that some start to feel dizzy ... bring good hiking shoes, water and your camera.
Very well maintained and clearly marked. It's 5.5 miles long with an 1,625 foot elevation gain so allow plenty of time if you aren't use to this type of hike. I noticed that some people hiked very quickly and traveled light. I carried a 16 oz water bottle, light snack and camera for a day that was clear and cool (not cold).
This loop trail goes through subalpine meadows and then above the tree line to snow fields and rocky areas with amazing views of glaciers, distant peaks and the summit of Rainier. Definitely requires sturdy footwear such as hiking boots and good lungs and knees. Tops out about 7,000 feet above sea level.
I did this early October on a clear day and it was spectacular. You need to be in fit to get to the peak of this trail but it's worth every calorie wasted. Beautyful scenaries along the way and spectacular panoramas from the top. Takes few hours to do the loop so prepare with some snacks and water.
My favorite hike in years! Beauty, views, sounds of wildlife, water, ice burg breakage, and wind. No better
The most scenic hike I've ever been on. It's about a 6-mile loop, goes through fields of wild flowers, then more rocky terrain as you get closer to the glaciers on mt rainier. We went through a snow field, saw waterfalls coming off the glaciers, heard the cracking of glaciers on the move, had a 360 view of surrounding mountains, including mt Adams and mt St. Helens. Just incredible.
We did this hike on a clear, sunny day in late August, and the views were gorgeous. We could see Mount Rainier most of the way up. (You should be able to see the mountain from the Paradise visitor center. If not, it's too cloudy, so do the hike another day.) Be sure to pick up a map from the visitor center, preferably the day before if you want to get an early start. You can probably see more animals earlier in the day; we saw a ptarmigan, marmots, ground squirrels, and elk. You should definitely wear good hiking shoes, since you will encounter snow, and it is a steep climb. When we were there a fleece jacket was sufficient, though a waterproof layer was also useful closer to the top. Unless your kids are experienced hikers, it's probably best for teenagers and above. It took us 5 1/2 hours because we took a lot of pictures and took a break for lunch.We went clockwise which I think is easier in case you want to try the shortcuts. The Alta Vista detour was closed at the time. We brought lunch to eat at Panorama Point. The restroom there is probably one of the cleanest pit toilets I've been to. My husband and son went on to the upper Skyline trail, while my daughters insisted on taking the shortcut. The lower Skyline trail is a narrow snow ledge along the edge of a snowy slope (there's a sign advising against taking it.) It was slow going and rather harrowing. We went one step at a time, leaning into the slope. My husband and son said there were good views further up, and they could see mountain climbers on Mount Rainier. They crossed a small patch of snow. We split again with my husband and son going the long way, while we went on the Golden Gate Trail. On a dry day, it is an easy way down, since it is made of packed down dirt. It's steeper than the way we came, so I think it would be harder to go up this way. Both paths meet at Myrtle Falls and then it's a short walk back down to the visitor's center.
It's really skyline when you approach the top of the trail. Not very hard but really crowded, and if it's the beginning of the summer, the melting snow makes it worse, so be careful. but the view is definitely grand from the bottom all way up. Imagine you're at the very root of a big snow-covered sleeping volcano, very Lord-of-the-Ring style~ definitely good spot for all kinds of photo shooting, just make sure you're not standing in the way of those professional hikers who are on their way of "the Wonderland Trail" which circles around the Rainier. and the Hotel down hill is very quaint as well, make sure you stop by the visitor center. parking is a little bit hard to find, go further, there's additional parking on the other way.
We were fortunate to have a perfect day in early August for a perfect hike! Many Sound-Of-Music moments, ascending ridges to a glorious views! As we approached Panorama Point, we watched as people struggled across the icy ridge of the Lower Skyline Trail and decided to take the longer High Trail--it was rocky with quite a bit of snow, but definitely worth the hike--absolute paradise! I always hike with trekking poles, and they were helpful on this trip! You could see Mount St Helen's, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood, among others!