Cloudy Day Activities at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier emerges from the clouds, viewed from the Skyline Trail.

NPS/M. Fehr Photo

Everyone loves beautiful days when Mount Rainier is visible and the skies are blue! However, sometimes the weather does not cooperate. There is still so much to appreciate on days when the clouds roll in. Enjoy this list of park ranger favorites for days when the mountain isn’t out!

Mountain weather can be very dynamic and change rapidly. Mount Rainier is so large that it often creates its own weather! Always check with a park ranger at a visitor center to view the latest forecasts and to ask questions if you have any concerns. Be prepared by hiking with the 10 Essentials.

Remember, you can always check the Webcams page on the park website to see real-time weather conditions and visibility in the park.

Stop and Listen

Glacial-capped mountains like Mount Rainier are dynamic places – constantly changing. Cloudy days allow us to use other senses to experience these changes. Whether it is listening to boulders tumbling in glacial-fed rivers or hearing the ice shifting in our constantly moving glaciers, taking a moment to stop and listen can help you connect to the physical processes that continually shape Mount Rainier.

Nisqually River and Glacier Vista are open year-round. White River is open seasonally, typically June-September.

• Nisqually River (Easy) (Longmire Area, no hiking necessary)
  The viewpoint is located in Longmire, across from the Community Building. Drive past the Wilderness Information Center and Museum, following the road between the housing area and the maintenance yard. Cross the Nisqually River on a vehicle suspension bridge. Continue for a quarter mile to the Community Building, where parking is available next to the river.
• White River (Easy) (White River Area, short walk to river viewpoint)
  The trailhead is located at the White River Campground day use area. Follow the Wonderland Trail past the comfort station to the river.
• Glacier Vista (Strenuous) (Paradise Area, 2.2 miles roundtrip, 1,000 feet of elevation gain, 2 hours)
  Glacier Vista is one of the closest places you can get to a glacier on a day hike. The trailhead is located on the north side of the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, at the top of the stone stairs. Follow the Skyline Trail for 1 mile, then take the 0.1 mile trail to Glacier Vista. Return the same way.

Chase Waterfalls

Many of the waterfalls of Mount Rainier run year-round, although flow is highest during the summer melt-out and after heavy rain events. Cloudy and rainy days are excellent opportunities to view these and other waterfalls of Mount Rainier. These waterfalls are viewable with less than 1 hour total hiking time.

Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and Myrtle Falls are open year-round, however viewing may be difficult in winter given snow conditions. Silver Falls is open seasonally, typically May-October.

• Christine Falls (Easy) (Longmire Area, short walk to viewpoint)
  Viewpoint is located 4 miles east of Longmire. The path down to the viewpoint, which shows Christine Falls framed by the road bridge, is located on the east side of the small road bridge.
• Narada Falls (Easy) (Paradise Area, 0.2 miles roundtrip, 75 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located 3 miles west of Paradise. Park in the large parking area and walk towards the comfort station. The trailhead will be on the right. The upper portion of the falls is visible from the parking area.
• Myrtle Falls (Easy) (Paradise Area, 1 mile roundtrip, 100 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located on the north side of the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, at the top of the stone stairs. Turn right and follow the Skyline Trail 0.5 miles to Myrtle Falls. Return the same way.
• Silver Falls (Moderate) (Ohanapecosh Area, 1 or 2.5 miles roundtrip, 300 feet of elevation gain)
  A 1 mile round-trip trailhead is located at the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead, 0.25 miles west of the Stevens Canyon Entrance. Cross the main road and follow the Eastside Trail 0.5 miles to Silver Falls. Return the same way. A 2.5 mile round-trip trailhead is located in the “B” loop of the Ohanapecosh Campground. At the falls, cross the bridge and follow the signs back to the campground.

Hikes with No Mountain Views

Mount Rainier has many spectacular hikes that don’t have mountain views. Cloudy days are an excellent opportunity to hike these trails, saving trails with mountain views for a day with clearer skies!

Trails in the Longmire and Paradise areas are open year-round, although extra caution is necessary when snow is present. Please speak to a park ranger about current conditions. Trails in the Ohanapecosh and Sunrise areas are open seasonally, generally June-September.

• Trail of Shadows (Easy) (Longmire Area, 0.7 miles roundtrip)
  Trailhead is located in Longmire, across the main park road from the Longmire Museum. This self-guided loop explores the history and natural features of the Longmire Meadow.
• Grove of the Patriarchs (Easy) (Ohanapecosh Area, 1.3 miles roundtrip, 100 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located 0.25 miles west of the Stevens Canyon Entrance. This trail features some of the finest examples of old growth forest at Mount Rainier, as well as a suspension bridge crossing the Ohanapecosh River.
• Bench and Snow Lakes (Moderate) (Paradise Area, 2.5 miles roundtrip, 700 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located along the Stevens Canyon Road, 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes. This trail features moderate ups and downs and two alpine lakes in the Tatoosh Mountains. Bench Lake is 0.75 miles from the trailhead and Snow Lake is 1.25 miles from the trailhead.
• Carter Falls (Moderate) (Longmire Area, 2.2 miles roundtrip, 500 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located 2 miles east of Longmire, near the entrance to the Cougar Rock Campground. Trail begins by crossing the Nisqually River on a wooden footbridge and then follows the Paradise River to Carter Falls. Hike 150 feet past Carter Falls to see Madcap Falls as well.
• Comet Falls (Strenuous) (Longmire Area, 3.8 miles roundtrip, 1,100 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located 4.5 miles east of Longmire. This steep trail takes you to the base of Comet Falls, which features a spectacular 320-foot drop. NOTE: This is not an early season trail due to steep and hazardous snow slopes. Please speak to a park ranger before attempting to get an update on current conditions.
• Palisades Lakes (Strenuous) (Sunrise Area, 7 miles round trip, 1,800 feet of elevation gain)
  Trailhead is located at the east end of the Sunrise Point parking area. The trail drops steeply down to Sunrise Lake in 0.5 miles. Continue following the Palisades Lake trail to pass six more lakes, ending at Upper Palisades Lake. Return the same way.

Details

Duration

1-8 Hours

Length varies. Some stops are short hikes, while others take longer. Multiple stops may be combined for a longer visit. 

Activity

Hiking

Although some of these suggestions are viewpoints, almost all involve at least a little hiking.

Age(s)

Suitable for all ages. 

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

Park entrance fee required. 

Location

Park-wide

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Certain areas are closed seasonally, while others are open year-round. Please refer to the activity descriptions or check with a park ranger for the availability of each activity at the time of your visit.

Time of Day

Day, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility Information

Parking areas and viewpoints are wheelchair accessible. Myrtle Falls and portions of the Trail of Shadows are wheelchair accessible, although assistance may be necessary due to the grade. These trails may be under deep snow during the winter months. Copies of the park map in Braille are available for checkout from the park visitor centers. Pets are not permitted on trails but service animals are allowed.