Crystal Lakes
2 days ago
Fall color arriving at upper lake
8 this month · 48 reports
Summerland - Panhandle Gap
Mount Rainier Area
updated 2 days ago
The Summerland trail to Panhandle Gap is in excellent condition, with no reported snow and no significant bugs as of September 23. The road to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles and parking can be challenging, with the lot often full by mid-morning, leading to cars parking on the road shoulder. Hikers have frequently reported seeing mountain goats at the gap, and wildlife sightings in general are common, including bears, marmots, and pikas. Some reports mention fall colors beginning to appear in the meadows.
Generated from 65 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Summerland - Panhandle Gap
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 2 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road to the Summerland trailhead is suitable for all vehicles and has been reported as accessible even when other areas of the park may have closures. Parking at the trailhead lot is limited and often fills by mid-morning, with cars frequently parking on the road shoulder. Arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends.
As of September 23, the trail is snow-free and in good condition. Earlier reports in late July mentioned intermittent snowfields, but these appear to have melted. There were no difficulties crossing creeks reported recently.
Mountain goats are frequently seen at Panhandle Gap and on the surrounding slopes. Bears have also been reported multiple times, both on and near the trail, as recently as September 17. Marmots and pikas have also been observed.
The bridge across upper Fryingpan Creek has been removed, but recent reports indicate the crossing is manageable due to dry conditions, with rock-hopping options available. Some hikers have noted fall colors appearing in the meadows around Summerland as of September 16 and August 31.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh2 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Overnight at Summerland just in time before the rain and wind, possibly snow in the next couple of days.The Summerland trail is in great condition and I can see why it's a popular one. It's a nice smo...
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Team Ibuprofen (Kidz Won't Hike, SoaringEagle, and me) had a great outing to hike up Banshee Peak and scramble the main Cowlitz Chimney. Clouds came and went all day, but we had some beautiful views a...
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Long but excellent trip with Glen99 and Soaring Eagle first up to Banshee Peak, and then up to Main Cowlitz Chimney via the Summerland Trail up to Panhandle Gap.We got started at 7:43am and made prett...
Fresh6 days ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Parked at 4:45, lot about half full. Had breakfast at trailhead before setting off at 5:30. Reached Summerland by 8, and Panhandle Gap just before 9, taking extra time to look at mountain goats.There ...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
We had an amazing day hiking to Pan Handle gap today. With the recent reopening of the White River entrance to Mt Rainier and a stellar weather forecast we decided to make one more Rainier day hike of...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Arrived at 8:50am on a Thursday, was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a free day in the park. Google Maps told me the road was closed but the ranger at the gate confirmed the Summerland trail h...
Recent1 week ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
Arrived at 10 and had to park just a bit beyond the parking spaces. Trail in great shape, everyone seemed to be in a splendid mood on this beautiful bluebird day. Some fall color in the meadows at Sum...
Recent2 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
What a delight to be able to access the trailhead for the Summerland/panhandle gap trail. At 7:30 this morning there were still parking spots available. By the end of the day, they were some cars that...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon
OurTacoma Mountaineers Hiking & Backpackinggroupbegan our two nights and three days heading up theCowlitz Divide Trailand into some of Mt. Rainier’s most breathtaking high-country scenery. The mountai...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > NE - Sunrise/White River
A beautiful #hikeathon hike! I got to the entrance station at 9:30am on Sunday and had about a 10 minute wait to get in since they were doing one car out one car in because lots were full. I got a roa...