Skyline Trail Loop
2 weeks ago
Fall colors are fading, but still beautiful
7 this month · 133 reports
High Lakes Loop
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 month ago
The High Lakes Loop area, accessed via Narada Falls or Reflection Lakes, is currently in excellent condition with no reported snow. The roads are suitable for all vehicles, and parking, while potentially busy at Paradise, has been available at Reflection Lakes, especially on weekdays. Recent reports highlight vibrant fall colors as of September 30 and abundant wildflowers earlier in the season, with significant sightings of marmots and bears. While bugs were not a major issue in late August and September, they were noted as "not too bad" in late July. The trail itself is described as good with gentle to moderate elevation gain, offering beautiful views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.
Generated from 14 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about High Lakes Loop
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 fall colors are currently abundant, with one report from September 30 noting the area is "gorgeous with all the fall colors and the fall clouds!"
Recent reports mention sightings of marmots sunning themselves and displaying behavior as of August 27. Bears were also seen foraging in meadows near Reflection Lakes and on the High Lakes Trail in late August and mid-August. A friendly grouse was also noted near Narada Falls on September 30.
Parking at Paradise can be extremely busy, with one report from July 27 stating lots filled by 7 AM on weekdays. However, parking at Reflection Lakes has been more readily available, even with some crowds, as of September 30 and mid-August.
The trail is generally in good condition. However, a report from September 30 noted that a small stream section about a quarter mile from the saddle on the way to Plummer Peak can be wet and slippery.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
I’ve always wanted to hike Plummer Peak but wanted a longer hike than just going to the peak and back. I saw analltrails hikethat had you starting at Narada Falls and doing a loop of Reflection Lakes....
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Today'sTacoma Mountaineers Hiking & Backpackingtrip was all about Marmots and Wildflowers. Was it a Miles sighting?Sometimes a day at Mount Rainier is about the wildflowers.Sometimes it is about the s...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Today’sTacoma Mountaineers Hiking & Backpackingouting was another reminder that sometimes the most important work in the mountains is simply slowing down and paying attention.We spent the day supporti...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Our group fromTacoma Mountaineers Hiking & Backpackingcollected data for the UW MeadoWatch program today.There are Mountaineers days when the goal is to climb something. And then there are days when t...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Started hiking around 8 am on Saturday morning. Of note, the gate on the Paradise side was staffed before 7 am this weekend. Sunrise is closed due to wildfires. We waited about 15 minutes at 650 am to...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
I read that the parking at Paradise was full by 6:30 AM over the weekend. We got a really late start on this Monday day hike, and were told at the entrance station that they filled by 7 that day, so: ...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Parked on Stevens Canyon Rd near Pinnacle Peak TH and hiked a loop around Reflection Lakes. Pretty busy for a Tuesday midday, but we found a parking spot without issue. Trail has a few blowdowns but t...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Went down to Tahoma during the free national parks day... it was crowded as expected, so I used earplugs after parking. It was a bit confusing, as the trail description warned, so I'll try to explain ...
Older14 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
Parked at the westernmost parking lot at Reflection Lakes, followed the High Lakes Loop clockwise, and then finished up with the short-but-sweaty hike up to Pinnacle Saddle. The trail on both hikes wa...
Older25 months ago
Mount Rainier Area
Feeling like this was one of the last good days of the year to go to Rainier we got up early and trekked out to the Mountain. Had to wait an hour to get past the checkpoint (about 9am) but it’s always...