Hiked Comet Falls with my fiancé and a couple of our best friends and absolutely loved the trail!…read moreI've only done a couple trails in MRNP but even if I had done more, I could see this still ranking as a favorite. We had a reservation for entry into the park before 9am and hit the trail early in the day to make sure we wouldn't have to deal with any lines. No issues! The trail is almost four miles roundtrip with a little over 1,200 feet in elevation gain. I wouldn't exactly call it a beginner hike because there's several steep and challenging parts, but it's nothing too bad. My legs were a little sore the next day but all in all it was a great workout. The falls at the end are absolutely gorgeous and hard to comprehend how tall they really are until you're standing right next to it! There's a ton of smaller falls along the way and glimpses of the mountains through the trees too which makes this a gorgeous hike pretty much the entire way. Like most people do, we made ourselves a lunch and enjoyed it at the end and watched the falls for a little while. 10/10 would do this trail again!

Oh wow...how has no one on Yelp written about Comet Falls??? Without a doubt, this trail and hiking…read moretowards majestic Comet Falls was one of THE BEST ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS I WITNESSED at Mount Rainier National Park! What a truly remarkable experience this was for me. I know most people, visitors and tourists would say the main attraction of Mount Rainier is Mount Rainier itself. But this hike to Comet Falls ABSOLUTELY WON ME OVER! I was simply thrilled with the 462 foot plunge of Comet Falls....which then cascaded into another small waterfall. Holy Smokes, when I visited...I was able to photograph both waterfalls (with Comet Falls being the main attraction) all within one entire picture. Seriously, it made for one truly humbling moment! Just some background information I can provide... First off, Comet Falls Trailhead was located literally right off the side of the road as I made my way from outside the entrance towards Mt. Rainier in the small town of Ashford, Washington. From the entrance station, it was about a 10 mile drive heading towards the Paradise Section of Mt. Rainier. Keep this in mind because there ARE NONE, ZERO SIGNS FOR COMET FALLS! Yes, I passed Comet Falls while heading towards the Henry Jackson Visitor Center. But while driving, there were a bunch of cars parked off the side of the road and this got my attention that something cool could be offered here. Along with using the park map, I did recognize the trailhead. In all, I'd say maybe there were only 10 parking spots available. That's how small the area was with limited parking availability. Also, this is VERY IMPORTANT. I hiked to Comet Falls in early afternoon around 1pm in the month of August. When I arrived at the falls in mid-late day....I had the sun at my back going with me. THIS WAS VITAL! Because as you'd expect for taking pictures, this was the perfect moment to grab photos! Absolutely perfect! Yeah it also helped that I hiked the trail on a beautifully sunny day. But coming here in the afternoon time made for the sun to be going with me and I thought my pictures came out stunningly well! Lol, this was so important to me...to not be facing against the sun and dealing with shadows. VISIT IN THE AFTERNOON! More info...Comet Falls Trail is a 3.8 mile round trip hike gaining about 900 feet in elevation. It's not really a hard hike...nothing out of the ordinary...but just so people know it wasn't the easiest hike. Along the way there's not much to view while hiking, just plenty of switchbacks. Right before I arrived at Comet Falls, there was a smaller waterfall area combined with crossing a bridge that some folks may believe is Comet Falls, but it's not. There'll be a clear sign saying - "Comet Falls 200 feet ahead". Still, some people did stop for a picture at these unnamed falls, but they paled in comparison to actual Comet Falls. And yeah when I arrived at Comet Falls, I was completely stunned how statuesque they appeared! For summer time there were still patches of snow on the ground which actually enhanced the surroundings. It wasn't too crowded during my time here and I was able to snap some terrific photos. Also, I easily climbed and got myself right underneath the falls...absolutely as good of an up close view as I could have asked for. I'd say it took me about 3 hours in total to hike Comet Falls. And I spent about 1 hour photographing and just hanging out in and among the falls. Comet Falls was truly special. To be able to get a thrilling introduction to this 462 foot waterfall, the highest waterfall at Mount Rainier, truly gave me the chills I felt quite lucky. And hiking here and spending a portion of the day was certainly worthwhile and one of the best memories I've had since visiting Mt. Rainier National Park. Hiking to Comet Falls is an absolute must!!!

This is a nice area to make a quick stop when driving on Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier…read moreNational Park. Just a few steps away from the parking lot is a lookout over a narrow slot canyon. This canyon was carved out by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River that you can see rushing below the lookout. You can also catch a glimpse of the Box Canyon Bridge if you look north toward Mount Rainier. Near the parking lot is a picnic area and a short loop trail. I didn't spend a whole lot of time here at Box Canyon. But I did enjoy exploring this overlook. This place was a relaxing shady area to enjoy after being in the car all day. There is not a lot of walking required. As you head out on Stevens Canyon Road, you will drive through the 160 feet long Box Canyon Tunnel that is just west of this area. Stevens Canyon Road is only open during the summer season.

Narrow canyon with river deep and rapid flow 180 ft below. Trail leads to a walking bridge with…read moresome tiny wildflowers here and there.

What an amazing hike! As an avid hiker, I honestly rate this easy. Mostly flat with some incline…read moreevery now and then. Especially going up towards the fire lookout, but the incline isnt drastic. The hike is about 2.8 miles total, 1.9 miles in, you will see Eunice Lake. This lake is not as packed as Mowich Lake so if you are willing to hike a bit and enjoy some clear blue water with less people, I would go here. Some people end up staying here to relax vs hiking the 0.9 remaining miles to the lookout. The lookout is much more packed though. Spots to eat your lunch are limited as people tend to stay about 30 minutes to an hour here. Parking is limited as well. The parking right by the Mowich Lake is very small. You can park on the side of the gravel road. People tend to start piling up at around 10 am but it isnt too long of a walk, only 2 minutes from where we parked as the trail is not near the entrance to Mowich Lake. Overall, i definitely recommend this hike. A decent hike where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Mt Rainier and relax at a lake after a hike. Also a decent hike where you can enjoy the lake with less people.

AMAZING view. Worth every bit to go up top. Plenty of street parking. We came on Saturday and it…read morewasn't super crowded which was great. It took us around 2 hours one way.

You can easily access this trail about 600 feet from the visitor center, and it will take you to a…read morebunch of other trails. We used the Sourdough Ridge Trail to access the trail to Fremont Overlook. We walked the Sourdough from the visitor center to its end at Frozen Lake, where we connected to Fremont. It can definitely be a bit difficult at the onset when walking in that direction, but then it levels out and becomes much easier. The Sourdough Portion of the hike was average. Our spectacular views came later. Frozen Lake was disappointing. I imagine it must look pretty with snow, but there was no snow, it was not frozen, and it was more like a pond. I can only imagine the disappointment if I'd been hiking solely to see the Frozen Lake. All that being said, it's still a 4/5 because - while the trail itself isn't all that special - it is still the gateway to many more incredible hikes.

Kid July is not a good time to visit yet, there's only small batches of wild flowers loosely…read morescattered around the trail. The weather was extremely warm at 90+. Lacking of clear signboard we overshoot and went all the way to frozen lake. The view of the lake is peaceful but not amazing.

This hike actually started at the chinook trailhead. Went up past goat lake and across Sourdough…read moreGap and down into the crystal lake area. The crystal lake area is on a large terrace meadow area. Signage for two campground locations are here as well. You do need to pass to camp. I can see how staying here would be rejuvenating and relaxing. My hikes don't include overnight camping yet. The lake was gorgeous! The water clear and beautiful. A slight splash caused a frog to swim away. The trail down was long and steep. I kept thinking I was so glad to not be going up this trail. The downhill was so so so so so long. Passing hikers who were going up, and yikes, so glad I wasn't. The one way route downhill did involve leaving one vehicle on the other side of the PCT, Pacific Crest Trail, but it was worth it. If I were to start at the crystal lake trailhead and go uphill I would pack energy gels, make sure and be hydrated, and stop frequently. Enjoy nature! Get out there. ! As always. SYOY.

We originally were gonna hike the Fire Lookout, but due to the long wait this was our backup plan…read more As an avid hiker, i rate this as easy. Has a bunch of steep turn arounds, but the trail then evens out. The trail does have narrow pathways though. Within 1.5 miles in, you will have a decision to either go to the peak on the right, which is another 2.5 miles, or to the lake on the left, which is another 1.6 miles. Today we decided to hike to the lake. This has more of an incline along the trails with steep turn arounds. Once you get to the top, it is a steep incline and you will reach a spot that will state to go right for the lower lake view and left for the upper lake view, which is another 0.5 miles. We decided to check out the lower lake view, which is right on the water. The name is deceiving, it is not crystal clear at all, but more swampy green. Hence, people who decided to take the lower path, didnt spend at least more than a minute. This is though, also a camping ground for 3 camps to be made around this lake. We will definitely come back and try the peak next time. It looks more beautiful having a view of the mountain across the way with the lake all the way at the bottom.

Easy hike. Beautiful!!! The turquoise water is incredible! Came here with another couple and their…read morebaby - they were able to hike with the baby in a body carrier. Not stroller friendly.

Easy loop hike. A little bit of up then down then up kinda stuff. Its beautiful nature but really…read morenot much real view until the waterfall. Compared to skyline loop it isn't much. But its easy and quick.

The Chinook pass has several trails and the part of the Pacific Crest Trail does run through it…read more It's an amazing place to gaze at Mount Rainier with a few lakes to punctuate the view. It does get crowded on the weekends so you'll often see photographers and tourists congregating at Tipsoo Lake. But veer off the parking lot a little and hike around and up the Pass and you'll see a less popular lake that's equally immersive and picturesque. You might even find some solitude.

On August 27th, took a drive to Chinook Pass which was about 2.5 hours. I left the Tri-Cities at…read moreabout 7:30. Made a quick stop at the Ranger Station in Naches, WA to pick up a Wilderness Pass and find out conditions up in the mountains. Like clockwork, I made it to the trailhead around 10am. This was a new hike. I have a tendency to repeat hikes. Repeat them monthly, annually, cerebrally. This time I was hiking a completely new hike. This was a trail I was entering blindly. I briefly looked at it via Google Earth months ago, but I didn't know what I was in store for. I didn't know where I was going. Surely there would be an awesome lake on the agenda. Fields of wildflowers must be on the menu. Huckleberries? Yeah, they will be sirening me. Gunner & Gomez (my dogs)? They just wanted a new place to go pee. We wanted to hit the trail and get away from the parking area and WA-410 ASAP. It's funny how trails can clear slates. Within a few switchbacks and the passing of a few batches of trees, we were gone. Almost instantly, we stole our first view of a scene subconsciously hoped for all summer: a clear & sunny sky and a sky-blue alpine lake surrounded by craggly mountain ridges. This is the medicine I needed. I don't know the name of this lake, but it offered a nice "welcome back" to the mountains. I lead the dogs down to the water, and they, of course, sauntered into the water. I think they thought we had reached our destination. "Sorry guys, this is just the beginning!" I know they were calling me a "bastard" in their corgi brains. We got back on the trail and continued south. We passed a few hikers just starting their multi-day trips down south and other hikers finishing their long trips north (why can't I be like these people!?). Overnight backcountry trips are nothing. I dream about what a 3-4 day trip would be like, or a 4-6 month trip along the entirety of the PCT---from Mexico to British Columbia. I couldn't even imagine what that would be like. Daydreaming is part of the drill when hiking. Ha! It's funny about hiking. When you're out on your own, your mind has this uncanny ability to wander. It's always nice to think about your life. Think about those you are close to. Think about hikes in the future. Think about all that's happened since the last time you were in the mountains. It's amazing. My brain can hopscotch from topic to topic and before I know it, miles have been walked. Daydreaming is not a bad thing. Ok, so I was at the top of a ridge, and I could see a huge lake below: Dewey Lake--the lunchtime destination. Finally made it down to the lake. This was a huge lake. It was beautiful, and it was big. We sauntered up to the water, and walked along the "beach" for a little. It would have been nice to hike a little more...but it was lunchtime. So, chilled at the lake and had a nice lunch. I then did some huckleberry pickin'. Oh yeah. The huckleberries were yummy, and I could have easily spent hours picking. But I had to get back on the trail. So off I went. All in all this was a nice and quick day hike with spectacular views. Can't wait to extend this day hike into a many-days hike!

A MUST when visiting Mt. Rainier / Crystal Mountain resort - it was the perfect way to admire what…read morethe wifey had just accomplished, running down the gigantic mountain, the ride up is about 10 - 15mins, all worth it!!! breath taking views of Mt. Rainier, do dress accordingly, it was pretty windy and about 10 degrees colder up on the mountain. there is a restaurant/restrooms observation chairs and a beer garden at the top! but the view!!! stunning, the greens/whites/ snow peak colors with the sky blue in the background. as usual parking could be hit or miss, they do have several parking lots but the closest one to the gandola ( the paved one ) is on the smaller side, they have other lots designated by letters ( which also unpaved ) Info on Gondola here: https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/things-to-do/activities/mt-rainier-gondola

Came for the day while friends skied. Beautiful, sunny and gorgeous! Snow already melting - this…read moreis the last day of the season. Gondola tickets $54 each and you get 2 round trips.