Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
2 days ago
Fall colors are outstanding right now
12 this month · 66 reports
Sheep Lake
Mount Rainier Area
updated 5 days ago
The trail to Sheep Lake is in excellent condition and snow-free. Road access via Highway 410 to Chinook Pass is suitable for all vehicles. Parking at the trailhead can be very busy, especially on weekends, but ample parking is often available along the highway shoulder. Bugs are generally not a significant issue, with most reports noting them as absent or only a minor annoyance. Fall colors are beginning to appear, and the trail offers great views, particularly of Mount Rainier. Some reports mention that bathrooms at the parking area may lack toilet paper.
Generated from 26 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Sheep Lake
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 5 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
Road access via Highway 410 to Chinook Pass is suitable for all vehicles. Reports from July through September 2026 consistently indicate this condition.
Parking at the trailhead is frequently reported as very busy, especially on weekends. While the lot can be full, ample parking is often found along the highway shoulder, according to reports from September 20 and August 30, 2026.
The trail is generally in good condition with no major obstacles reported. One report from August 11, 2026, mentions a large blowdown on the PCT near the trailhead that can be avoided by using a connector trail.
Bugs are generally not a major concern, with most reports from July through September 2026 stating no bugs or only minor annoyance. One report on July 7, 2026, noted bugs were a bit annoying at the parking lot and active at the lake.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Easy fun fall hike!Road/Parking:Chinook pass tends to get busy on nice weekends – we arrived at the pass at 9:30am on a Sunday and the parking lots at Tipsoo Lake and on the east side of the pass were...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
Arrived at the parking area at Chinook Pass just outside the Park on the left side of the road as you head east about 11:45 this morning (Wednesday). There were a number of open spots and all the par...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Beautiful day for a hike! Light breeze, not too hot. Got to the trail a little later than planned. Parking lot at trailhead was full, but plenty of parking across the highway. This is definitely an ea...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
We arrived to the trailhead around 8:30 a.m. on Labor Day. The bathroom was fine but no TP in some. To say it was cloudy is an understatement...I could only see 1 car ahead of me the entire drive up, ...
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Trail wasn't too crowded but wow this parking area is busy! Nice trail with a pretty mellow grade in most areas. Berries are gone and fall colors are just barely starting, a few PCT hikers passing thr...
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
This hike is much prettier than it has a right to be, especially being so accessible. The lot had plenty of space on a Monday afternoon and the trail to Sheep Lake was mostly frequented by families ba...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
This was a nice hike with a gradual uphill most of the way, which was manageable for my group. There were also beautiful views on the way to and at the lake! The trail was popular and there were plent...
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Having hiked many years ago from the Norse Peak trailhead all the way down to Sheep Lake, I decided it was time to finally hike in from the Sheep Lake trailhead, so today I hiked up the PCT from there...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Gorgeous hike and perfect conditions. Came here to document a gloriously bug-free experience at the lake, including lunch. Game-changer !
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
This was a fun family hike, with quite a few wildflowers blooming. Unfortunately, I seem to have dropped my America the Beautiful senior lifetime pass in the parking lot when we were packing up to lea...