Kelly Butte
3 days ago
Fall colors are now peaking at the summit
6 this month · 43 reports
Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
Mount Rainier Area
updated 2 days ago
The trail from Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap is in excellent condition, with no snow reported on any recent trips. Road access to Chinook Pass is suitable for all vehicles and parking, while often busy on weekends, is generally available along the highway shoulder if main lots are full. Fall colors are currently a significant highlight, with reports from September 23 and September 16 describing them as outstanding and popping. Hikers should be aware of potential crowds, especially on weekends, as noted by reports from September 20 and September 16. Some reports mention the need to bring your own toilet paper, as the vault toilets at the parking area may not be stocked, as of September 20 and September 16.
Generated from 66 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 2 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No significant trail obstacles have been reported recently. The trail is generally well-maintained. One report from September 1 mentioned some 'snake-like roots' that have become exposed, suggesting hikers watch their step in certain sections.
The trail can be very busy, especially on weekends. Reports from September 20 and September 16 describe large numbers of hikers. Midweek visits seem to be less crowded, as noted on September 23.
No bugs have been reported on this trail in the recent trip reports, with multiple entries from August and September stating 'No bugs'.
The fall colors are currently a major highlight and are described as outstanding and popping. Reports from September 23 and September 16 specifically mention the vibrant fall foliage.
More in Mount Rainier Area
Sheep Lake
5 days ago
Fall colors arriving, views of Rainier
5 this month · 26 reports
Bumping Lake
3 weeks ago
Overgrown brush and light blowdown
2 this month · 9 reports
Skookum Flats
3 weeks ago
Lots of moss, lichen, fungi
1 this month · 51 reports
Snoquera Falls Loop
2 weeks ago
Waterfall is barely trickling
1 this month · 49 reports
Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes
1 month ago
Many downed trees, especially past Greenwater Lakes
1 this month · 32 reports
Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh2 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
The fall colors are beautiful and the trail was not very crowded midweek.
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Arrvied Tuesday morning around 10 am. The parking lot was about half full. The vault toilets did not have TP, but the following morning, they were restocked.We got to the lake in less than an hour and...
Fresh5 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Beautiful hike to the sheep lake and sourdough gap.Extremely busy, I'm never hiking it on a summer weekend again for sure. Hundreds of hikers. Parking is hard.Road noise is awful for the first 1.5 mil...
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 > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
GLORIOUS! Go now! Fall foliage is popping. Beautiful reflection in Sheep Lake, a few different groups camping. Saw around 60 people in 3.5 hours, never felt crowded though.If you eat lunch at Sourdou...
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, ...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
I'm not sure if we squeezed in a late summer hike or an early fall hike, but it was hot so let's go with summer. Parking at the main Tipsoo Lake lot which was a cool and breezy mid 50s I was mislead ...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
With the inauspiciousstart to this trail, paralleling the road, we'd never hiked this trail. Mistake! There were far fewer people on this trail than Naches Loop and it has many of the same perks.We ...
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...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
We did Crystal Lake via Sourdough Gap, starting at Chinook Pass. It was rainy on the drive from from Seattle, and we considered just doing Eastside Trail (under the trees).The rain had let up, and we ...