I did this hike with my seven-year-old today. We have not hiked at all, before, and this was perfect for a first try! The "pay-off" at the end was snow in July, which motivated her to keep going. The elevation difference from beginning to end is minor, and there were enough curiosities along the route (snags, water springing from the …
I'll agree that this trail must be a challenge to follow and negotiate in winter conditions. Its no cake walk in the summer either. However, the views are as good as advertised and well worth the effort. Stamina is key, as the seemingly short 3 mile trip up offers few instances of level ground. However, I observed a couple of …
7/7/05 - The trail now seems to have a home made trail head marker so you don't need to guess too much about where to start. Firstly I am not a seasoned hiker. I starting hiking in the summer last year as an alternative to going to the gym that allows me to walk the dog! My attitude is changing …
I awoke wanting to do a hike on Sunday 3rd July 2005 - problem is Mt Si get's busy - so I took an alternate route by starting at Little Si and taking a turn off part of the way up. Little Si was busy but I only had to travel the first steep bit, then I saw no other …
We were short on time when we did this hike (only had 2 days off), and it was perfect. For two slightly out of shape hikers, this was a great trail to work up a sweat. It was a little overgrown in spots, but no big deal. The lake was absolutley beautiful and very quiet. The camp sites are spaced …
July 3, 2005 Sunny, gorgeous day. The hike ascends in the forest for a while, gets close to the treeline where the trees get smaller, and more and more wildflowers were around the trail in the sun. The lakes were crystal clear and gorgeous, esp. the upper lake. The edges were slightly marshy but you could easily walk all the …
This is a fantastic little hike that will take you straight into the peaceful sublime of the high alpine zone. I make it a point to do this hike once or twice a year to soak in the sights & ensure that I keep myself ready for longer excursions. What to expect if you take the route from Mowich: The …
I think this was the most beautiful hike I've been on in the area. The day was GORGEOUS. I was carrying a pack, but if I wasn't, I don't think the hike would have been to bad. I didn't find it very steep, compared to others in the area. It took me longer than most because of the pack and …
This hike is very cool. The boardwalk path is very green and surreal. We saw dear and birds and a group of fat gardner snakes on the way out to cape alava. We got a beautiful camp site right off the beach and woke up to showers and a low tide that made the beach seem like a completely different …
Great hike!! I read the reviews before the hike and I don't think they give the hike enough respect for the difficulty. For an avid hiker it may not be that difficult, but for me who maybe hikes 2 to 3 times a year it was pretty hard. It is like walking up stairs for 3 miles and then throw …
It is definitely a strenuous hike, when you think is almost over there is another switchback or climb that your have to go through. The summit is pretty cool, although this last climb is kind of spooky; the views from the top are priceless.
What a great way to spend July 4th. It was a clear day, and from the top of Mt. Defiance you could get an awesome view of Rainier, and also of Mt. Hood. Mt. Baker was visible to the north, and Cascade bliss all around you. Great view of the lakes. Take bug repellant! This was a strenuous hike, but …
This is a fun but challenging longer day hike/scramble including climbs of both Observation and Echo rocks. At this point in the season, much of the terrain above 7000 feet was covered in snow, and there were no crevasses open yet in the Flett Glacier, making it much easier to navigate. An ice axe definitely comes in handy for the …
This was about the easiest hike I have been on here in the Pacific Northwest, but it is also one of the most scenic ones as well. The climb is nice and steady, then you get to the switchbacks, which consist of rocky terrain and are not very challenging. You reach the ridge proclaiming that you are entering the Alpine …
The South side of Mt Adams is indeed a non-technical route. It is long but easy, and I have done it, round-trip, in a day without any problems. I climbed it without any need for crampons; a walking ax is nice, and helps when glissading down, but trekking poles would work just as well. The views from the top are …
My boyfriend and best friend and I hiked this as a day hike. I wish we had started earlier because once we reached the lookout we didn't want to leave. At the lookout-It was cloudy for the first 15 minutes or so and cleared breifly showing a picturesque view of Mount Rainier. We didn't know what to expect so it …
What great reward for a tough hike. HIke to Rachel Lake is very strenuous after you cross the stream and was pretty muddy, but then that is Washington. Steep with tree roots and rocks make it even more strenuous, but Rachel Lake is clear and prestine. The hike from Rachel Lake to the ridge to Lake Lila is strenuous but …
Pinnacle Peak is, let's say, one of those hikes worth driving to Mt. Rainier if it's a full day commitment for those who live far from the park. The trailhead is across the road from Reflection Lake. Upon arriving at the saddle where the maintained trail ends, the views are awesome. You can opt to continue east (head left when …
Wow! Like it says in the intro, this hike can best be split into three phases. The first is the Pratt Lake trail of it. This is very much like ordinary Pacific Northwest hiking conditions- nice gentle slope and all kinds of greenery. There was about six or seven streams running through it too, very relaxing and easy on the …
I really enjoyed going up this. After reading the reviews, I expected it to be as easy as Rattlesnake, but it does get a bit steep once you cut off the logging trail. However, it does eventually level out and once you get past the grunt work, the views are plentiful and amazing. The only drawback is the constant noise …
This is a wonderful, scenic hike, if rather difficult for those not in pretty good shape (one of my companions started to become dizzy about hlafway up--be sure to bring lots of water to avoid this!). It's best to get in your car and start driving pretty early in the day of you want to avoid some of the large …
I did this hike earlier in year when there was still too much snow to make it to the summit.It felt great to get up there and finish what we started months ago. The hard work paid off with wonderful 360 degree views at the top. The hike has a pretty decent elevation gain, but it's broken up nicely. The …
went up to the lake on an 80-degree seattle weather day and it was great! what i like most about this hike is the variety in scenery and hiking conditions: a river/bridge to stop at mile 1, a beautiful water fall at mile 1.5, covered trails until mile 2 or so and then you're climbing up a valley, along rocks …
The trail is unmaintained with lots of overgrown bushes. Watch out of the thorns. The lake was very small and not impressive. The flies were everywhere that it was unbearable to be outside the tent. If you plan on going on this trip in the near future, bringing water proof clothing, a good book and bug spray.
We originally intended to go to Mt Defiance, but upon reaching Mason Lake we were short on ambition to climb further. Food and downhill was sounding better. There wasn't much variation in the up and up terrain so the only relief came from full on breaks. Bring plenty of water or a filter for the lake. Nice areas to lunch …