Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
2 weeks ago
Fall colors are outstanding
4 this month · 76 reports
Greenwater and Echo Lakes
Mount Rainier Area
updated 3 weeks ago
The Greenwater Lakes and Echo Lake trail is currently experiencing a mix of conditions. While snow-free, recent rainfall has created standing water on the first mile of the trail, requiring hikers to navigate around or through it, with boots potentially getting wet as of September 29. Fall colors are beginning to appear, particularly in vine maples, adding vibrancy to the landscape. There are numerous downed trees reported across the trail, particularly between Greenwater and Echo Lakes, which require climbers to go over or under them October 2, R2; October 16, R1. The road to the Greenwater Lakes trailhead is generally in good condition and suitable for all vehicles October 16, R1; September 29, R4, though one report from October 2 recommended high clearance for the road to Coral Pass. Crowds are minimal, with reports indicating virtually no one on the trail October 16, R1; September 29, R4.
Generated from 38 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Greenwater and Echo Lakes
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 weeks ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 3 weeks, so everything below is at least that old.
As of October 16, there are about 12 downed trees across the trail between Greenwater and Echo Lakes that require navigation over or under. Additionally, the first mile of the trail has extended stretches of standing water as of September 29, so be prepared for wet boots.
The road to the Greenwater Lakes trailhead is reported as very easy to drive and suitable for all vehicles as of October 16 and September 29.
No specific issues with stream crossings or bridges have been reported in recent trip reports. While there are several bridges mentioned, they are described as lovely or fun, and no reports indicate they are out of service.
Bugs are not a significant issue currently. Reports from October 16 and September 29 state there are no bugs, and a report from August 21 mentioned they were not too bad.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Echo Lake Trip ReporTrailhead: Greenwater LakesTrip type: Backpacking (overnight)Season: Fall 2026Distance: 7 miles each way (14 miles round trip)Road conditions: Very easyCrowds: Virtually noneThis w...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Most of the trail was really good, but the section from Echo Lake to the top of coral pass trailhead was very blown down and tree covered had to navigate lots of down trees
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
A group of us went and did some advanced scouting of the old trails at the top of the Greenwater drainage that were damaged by the Norse Peak Fire. We had done this before, but our plan was to see if ...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
My hiking group went to Greenwater Lakes today. We had a great fall hike - solitary trails and brilliant fall colors. We pulled into an empty trailhead lot at 9:00. It was 50’degrees with a slight dri...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
We arrived Friday morning around 7:00 a.m. and found only two vehicles at the trailhead. The vault toilets were stocked with toilet paper, and the trail was in good shape, with only a tree or two down...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Just one car in the parking lot at 8am. Its a very pretty hike up to and past the Greenwater Lakes (really just a a still area of the Greenwater River). We headed up to Echo Lake, one of two choices y...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The trail to Greenwater Lakes should really get its own hike entry as the stats for continuing on to Echo and Lost make it seem like a trail for advanced hikers, "hiding" this lovely amble from web-se...
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Camped at Echo Lake and attempted a loop day hike up Arch Rock trail (which is not possible to find given so many downed trees, but with GPS does connect to the PCT). Once we found the PCT at Airplane...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
We hiked up to Echo Lake and camped the first night there, and then camped the second night along the river a 1/4 mile or so from Greenwater Lakes, before heading out.Highlights: really nice trail, lo...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
This trip report is for the Greenwater Lakes trail to just past Greenwater Lakes (somewhere around 6mi and 550ft of elevation gain).What an expectedly great hike! Our little group of Mountaineers arri...