Northern Loop

Mount Rainier Area

updated 1 month ago

The Northern Loop is mostly snow-free, with wildflowers reported in bloom in Berkeley Park and Grand Park as of August 4 and July 16 respectively. Numerous trees are down across the trail, particularly between Carbon River and Yellowstone Cliffs, requiring scrambling over and under. The White River crossing has had log bridges built by volunteers as of August 1, though some reports still mention getting wet on the west bank as of July 12. Road access to Sunrise and White River appears to be suitable for all vehicles. Bugs were not a significant issue for most hikers in late July and early August, with one report of them being an annoyance in mid-July.

Generated from 11 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.

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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.

As of August 1, log bridges have been built by volunteers, making it easy to cross. However, one report from July 12 indicates you might still get wet on the west bank, and crossing the west side of the White River was difficult in the late afternoon due to swift currents as of July 16.

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Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

We started at Sunrise and hiked down to Berkeley park to camp for the first night. The wildflowers were blooming right next to the creek.From Berkeley camp we hiked to James camp which lead us through...

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Just updating from previous trip reports that we just completed the northern loop and the white river crossing now has log bridges built by the amazing volunteers making it easy to cross.

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Just finished the Northern loop of the wonderland trail.Beautiful viewsTrail is mostly well maintained and easy to follow.Sun was out the whole time.We started at sunrise going counter clockwise towar...

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

starting at sunrise, we went to granite Creek and then Mystic Lake. easy going. the descent from mystic was trouble free. but once past the carbon River bridge the going got tough. there were 139 blow...

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

White River to Granite Creek Camp-The first leg of this trip started in White River since we were beginning two days before the NPS planned to open Sunrise Road. The first section was a climb up a pre...

Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Decided to hike to Windy Gap, because it was the only area of the Northern loop I haven’t done. I did this as a one night backpacking trip, getting a permit at Lake James and starting via Lake Eleanor...

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

Hiked the Northern Loop going CW from Sunrise with some cross-country to visit the parks between Mystic Lake and the Windy Gap.I started off at Sunrise, with a detour up Skyscraper Mountain since I ha...

Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River

I had just three days to complete this 36-plus mile and 9000-foot elevation gain loop hike.  The weather could not have been better, the bugs non-existent, and the berries - well, superb! But this is ...

Mount Rainier Area

Did Northern Loop clockwise as part of a group of 7 over 3 nights/4 days, starting at Sunrise. Stayed at the group sites at Mystic Camp, Carbon River, and James Camp, in that order.CAMPSMystic Camp- R...

Mount Rainier Area

As usual, there's no real WTA trail description for yesterday's 24-mile hike. I entered at the Carbon River entrance. A gentle 5-mile hike up the old road to the Ipsut Creek CG. Not sure if people don...