Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
3 days ago
Fall colors are outstanding right now
11 this month · 65 reports
Norse Peak
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 month ago
The Norse Peak area trails appear to be in good condition for hiking as of late August 2026. Reports from August 22 indicate that the trails are snow-free and suitable for all vehicles. Hikers have enjoyed views of Mount Rainier and surrounding mountains, with some observing mountain goats. Wildflowers were noted as being abundant in early July, though one report from July 4 suggested fewer wildflowers than in previous years. Parking was generally available, although a Ragnar race caused a full lot at the main trailhead on August 22, necessitating use of a smaller pull-off.
Generated from 28 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Norse Peak
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 road to the Norse Peak trailhead has been reported as suitable for all vehicles as of August 22. There were no issues with the road reported in the recent trip reports.
Yes, the trail was reported as snow-free by multiple hikers in late August August 22 and early July.
Wildflowers were abundant and diverse in early July, though one report from July 4 noted fewer wildflowers than in previous years. The lower open areas may be going to seed.
More in Mount Rainier Area
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Fall colors are now peaking at the summit
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Fall colors arriving, views of Rainier
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Overgrown brush and light blowdown
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Skookum Flats
3 weeks ago
Lots of moss, lichen, fungi
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Snoquera Falls Loop
2 weeks ago
Waterfall is barely trickling
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Started at the Norse Peak Trailhead instead of dealing with the Ragnar race happening over at Crystal. Got there around 7:30am with only 3 cars in the lot.Headed up the trail, which is consistently up...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
SupportWashington Trail's Association #HikeAThon!We had a surprise change of plans when we arrived at the trail around 7:30am to parking being completely full for a Ragnar race. After re-planning our ...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The Norse Peak-PCT-Bullion Basin is great for wildflower diversity, Paul and I saw 128 species in bloom (list below, thanks Paul for the list). The flowers are a week or 2 ahead of average, the lower...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Norse Peak was a great place to spend the 4thof July holiday! We arrived at the trailhead around 8:30 am, there was plenty of parking available. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and 60s or so...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Not my dog, posting for other hikers:LOST DOG NEAR NORSE PEAK, SUNDAY JUNE 28Please watch for Auggie, a brown and white husky who may be wearing a dog backpack. Auggie was lost Sunday June 28, 2026 (p...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Arrived at the trailhead around 9:30AM to only two other cars. The elevation gain feels mild over the distance it covers. Once you're out of the trees this hike is very sun exposed. Trail had a few do...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Great day on Norse. I said snow free, but there were a couple of tiny tiny patches that were melting fast. Easy to get over them or around them. Lillies, lupines and some bear grass. Lots of elk f...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Trail in decent condition. Probably about 10-20 downed trees across the trail, all were easy to get over. Patchy snow starting ~750 feet below the peak, but it was all easy to go through or around.
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
This is good early season snow hike, accessible from Crystal Mountain Road while 410 into park is still closed.Parking - small area right off 410, then walk on gated road a few hundred feet to TH.Trai...
Older5 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The snow level had markedly receded. It was 34F at the trailhead, so snow was firm enough for microspikes, but snowshoes and ice axe were superfluous.Fairly continuous snow at 5800', and on most of t...