Paradise is located at 5,400 feet, and is where the park’s main visitor centers is located. From Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is a hundred and seven miles to the southeast. But, for first time visitors, the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point is a great hike that allows one to experience amazing views of the mountain, and if timed right, the fantastic meadow flowers.ĭirections: Although Mount Rainier is visible from many location in Washington, the closest largest city is Seattle. While the wildflowers have continued to bloom since that time, and the mountain remains eternally impressive, the amount of people visiting Rainier has increased exponentially. the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings.” (Visitors to the park will notice this quote prominently displayed on steps near the Visitor Center at Paradise). This lush growth inspired numerous items in the park, including the name of the main area - Paradise - by Virinda Longmire in 1885, and even lead the famous naturalist John Muir to state the following about the meadows near Paradise: “". If the lower lot is full, you can continue to the upper lot.In addition to the spectacle that is the mountain, the areas and meadows surrounding Mount Rainier during the summer months provide some of the most spectacular displays of wildflowers on the west coast. To get to the trailhead for the Panorama Point hike from the Nisqually entrance to the park, drive 27.4 km on State Route 706. Getting to the Panorama Point Hike Trailhead Stay on the path and resist the urge to pick the lovely wildflowers to help protect the delicate ecosystem here.This trail is subject to heavy traffic, so we recommend hiking in off-peak hours.If you loop down Skyline, you can take Golden Gate Trail to see Golden Gate Falls, a nice extension. From the summit, you’ll be able to see McClure Peak to the northeast, Mount Rainier and Anvil Rocks to the northwest, and Faraway Rock to the south.įrom the peak, you can either retrace your steps or follow the trail that branches off to the north and then eventually east (hiker’s left) to hike Skyline in a loop. Feel free to stop here to admire Panorama Point, then continue up the trail through three switchbacks to the peak. When approaching Panorama Point, you first come to a viewpoint to hiker’s right. Keep right at the junction that comes next. To more junctions come along, stay right at both, unless you want to make a quick detour to Glacier Vista, in which case you’ll take a left turn at the second junction and then rejoin the trail by retracing your steps. Further on, you’ll pass a junction with Dead Horse Creek Trail. Alta Vista stretches above to your right here. The trail comes next to Dead Horse Creek, but stay right and do not cross the creek. You’ll pass junctions with the Alta Vista Trail and the Waterfall Trail, and another arm of the Skyline Trail also veers right (northeast) in a loop. Walk past and behind the climbing information center, joining the Skyline Trail to head north. Take the trail that goes left from the inn past the parking lot. We recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the heaviest crowds. This trail is lined by wildflowers and has great views of Rainier, but this means it can get very busy. The Panorama Point hike is a naturally beautiful hike that offers enough of a physical challenge to feel rewarding, but without any technical challenges. Route Description for Panorama Point Hike
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