Hike to Shriner Peak Fire Lookout

View of Mount Rainier from Shriner Peak Fire Lookout, June 24, 2023.

NPS Photo

Panoramic views make Shriner Peak Trail worth the strenuous hike to the Shriner Peak Fire Lookout. The view from the top offers commanding views of Mount Rainier, Ohanapecosh Valley, and the Cascade Range. Along the trail, you’ll find brilliant fall foliage, colorful summer wildflowers, and wild strawberries in the fire-exposed meadows. At 2.5 miles in, there is a view of Mount Rainier's east side.

Although this trail begins in the forest, it soon climbs into an old burn area that is open and shadeless. The trail climbs steeply through open burn areas that offer little shade from the summer sun. Be sure to bring plenty of water and start your hike early in the day to avoid the hottest afternoon hours.

For 2.5 miles the trail continues its steep ascent to the top of the ridge. Still no shade, but a slight breeze sometimes makes the hike more bearable from here on. After a 0.5 mile walk along the ridge top, the route becomes a series of steep switchbacks for the final climb to the lookout.

The trail continues south of the fire lookout to Shriner Peak Camp, a wilderness camping area with two individual campsites (with a capacity of five people each) at an elevation of 5,355 feet. Wilderness permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry.

Trail Statistics

• Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 3,434 feet
• Hiking time: ~5 hours
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Wilderness Camp: Shriner Peak

Rules & Regulations

• Pets are not allowed on trails
• No campfires (backcountry stoves are okay)
• No bicycles on trails
• Pack out trash
• Do not feed or disturb wildlife
• Do not disturb any natural, cultural, or archeological features
• Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park, and for travel on glaciers above 10,000 feet

Details

Duration

5-6 Hours

Hiking time: ~5 hours

Activity

Hiking

Trail Statistics

• Distance: 8 miles roundtrip

• Elevation gain: 3,434 feet

• Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Shriner Peak Trailhead

Shriner Peak Trailhead is located 6.4 miles north of the southeast entrance to the park on the right side of highway 123. Coming from the north via highway 410, the trailhead is located 7.4 miles south of Cayuse Pass on the left side of highway 123 with a small parking area just north of the trailhead on the right side.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

The road to access Shriner Peak Trailhead, SR 123, closes in the winter from the north via SR 410 at Chinook Pass to the south at the junction of SR 123 and Stevens Canyon Road.

Accessibility Information

The Shriner Peak Trail is a steep, narrow dirt path with several switchbacks.