Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
3 days ago
Fall colors are outstanding right now
11 this month · 65 reports
Palisades
Mount Rainier Area
updated 1 month ago
The Palisades Trail offers spectacular and frequent viewpoints, with fireweed still blooming in the burned areas near the top as of August 10. The trail is generally in good condition, with snow-free conditions reported across all available trip data. Road access is suitable for all vehicles, and bugs have not been a significant issue. Minor obstacles, such as a few logs and some eroded sections, pose few problems for hikers. One report from August 19 noted a section of trail collapse on the adjacent Ranger Creek trail, approximately half a mile from the junction with Palisades. Parking appears to be readily available, with early morning arrivals finding spots, though parking can increase throughout the day.
Generated from 45 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Palisades
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 is generally in good condition, with snow-free access reported in all trip reports. Minor obstacles like a few logs to straddle and some eroded sections have been noted, but they pose few problems. However, a trail collapse on the adjacent Ranger Creek trail, about half a mile from the junction with Palisades, was reported on August 19.
Parking at the Palisades trailhead is generally available. On a Monday morning at 8 am, one report from August 10 indicated being the first car, with only one other arriving later. Another report from August 19 noted several cars at the 'lot' by 8:30 am and more later in the day, suggesting it can fill up as the day progresses.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Did the Palisades-to-Ranger Creek loop clockwise, back to the car north via White River trail on a pleasant Weds (and I'm submitting a trip report because I didn't think I could do that distance and d...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Fantastic hike with three other Mountaineers up Palisades Trail (#1198).Trail conditions: The trail was in great shape and was smooth and soft with a minimum of rocky areas. The frequent viewpoints we...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Since the road up to Sunrise was closed because of the Grand Park wildfire, we decided to do the Palisades Trail - and I'm glad we did.The trail starts with a steady climb - Dalles Creek and the large...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
On a partly cloudy Friday, parking was easy off the side of the road, and I passed about 6 hikers and 2 mountain bikers on the trip. Previous trip reports mention a major blowdown that was difficult t...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Counterclockwise loop going up the Ranger Creek Trail to Palisades and back by the White River Trail.I parked at the Skookum Flats lot on FR 7160, crossed the bridge and took a connector trail on the ...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Went out for a loop run from the Palisades trail 1198. Connected to Little Ranger Peak, then over to Noble Knob and Mutton Mt. My choice to decend the Deep Creek trail was not a good idea. There's thr...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Hiked up to the 3rd overlook on Palisades today. gorgeous chill trail once past the blowdowns! As mentioned in previous reviews, the gnarly blowdown just before the stairs is still there (last picture...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Below the stairway; lots of trees down (see below). Above the stairway; perfect trail, gentle slope big views at several spots. Quiet.The blowdowns; about 5 or 6 we had to duck under and at time drop...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Agree with prior trip report. Trail would be great except blowdowns, about 20 minor under over, but the area right before the stairs is sketchy, and the hillside is somewhat unstable with dirt and roc...
Older4 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Hiked Palisades trail today. I think my third time in several years. Good views at the top and some flowers starting to bloom, likely more in a couple weeks. Generally, the trail is its normal easy-...