Skyline Trail Loop
4 days ago
Fall colors arriving, wildlife abundant
10 this month · 121 reports
Golden Gate
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 month ago
The Golden Gate trail is reported to be in good condition, with no snow or significant bugs as of late August, August 16, and July 13. The road leading to the area is suitable for all vehicles, August 16, July 13. While the initial section to Myrtle Falls is paved, the trail becomes unpaved with stairs and switchbacks beyond that point. Wildflowers were not abundant in late August, but in mid-July, various flowers like avalanche lilies and lupine were in bloom or starting to bloom. Wildlife, including marmots, chipmunks, ground squirrels, butterflies, sooty grouse, and black bears, have been observed, July 13. Crowds can be significant, especially by early morning on weekdays, with most hikers congregating near Panorama Point and the Visitor Center.
Generated from 17 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Golden Gate
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The trail involves steep sections with many stair steps and switchbacks beyond Myrtle Falls. No reroutes were mentioned in the reports. One report from early July noted a small, flat, gritty section of snow before a water crossing, but this is unlikely to be present in late August, July 2.
The main parking lot can be full by 7 am on a Monday morning, and a second lot was already two-thirds full by then in mid-July. It is recommended to arrive early to secure parking.
Wildflowers were not particularly abundant in late August. However, in mid-July, reports indicated avalanche lilies were at their peak in shaded areas, lupine were starting to bloom, and other flowers were at peak bloom.
Recent reports mention sightings of marmots, chipmunks, ground squirrels, butterflies, sooty grouse, and black bears of various colors, July 13. Visitors are reminded to give wildlife space and keep wildlife wild.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
The trail is very steep a moderate incline. It’s a beautiful view of the large meadow with the peak in the back. There is beautiful view of Paradise Valley and the Tatoosh Mountain range. The trail is...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Launched my summer season hikes with these trails, wandering from one to the next, loving every minute of it! I've included 5min of video highlights below..Trail: Heavily used, so many of the trail s...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Today's mission was to park in the backup lot and take the Deadhorse Creek trail up to the Waterfalls trail then to lower Skyline to Golden Gate (there and back, not the Skyline loop), and then hop on...
Older8 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
We went clockwise and cut down at golden gate to make a smaller loop.Got to the Longmire gate at 8:50 and it was open. Parking lot had space but still felt busy. There were tons of people at first, to...
Older8 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Route: Panorama Point Loop counter-clockwise via Myrtle Falls Viewpoint Trail, Golden Gate Falls Trail, and Upper Skyline Trail.Location: Mount Rainier National Park – Paradise AreaDistance in Strava:...
Older23 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
I took a personal day after a doctor's appointment was canceled and I couldn't bring myself to unclearing my cleared schedule. I enjoy autumn snow because the fall colors break up the monochrome lands...
Older23 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
I arrived close to 6:30 on a clear Sunday morning. At this time of year, it's still dark. By the time I hit the trail there was enough light not to need my headlamp, but too dark to see any of the bea...
Older23 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
Great day to be at Paradise! We arrived at the entrance before 7 and snagged one of the last few slots in the upper lot by 7:30.Great visibility today although there was some haze far to the south. W...
Mount Rainier Area
We arrived at the Nisqually entrance around 8 a.m. and waited 20 minutes in a line of cars to enter the park. Once we got to the front, we breezed through with the timed-entry reservation, annual pass...