Wonderland Trail
3 days ago
Late season snow is adding challenges
2 this month · 35 reports
Van Trump Park
Mount Rainier Area
updated 3 days ago
The Van Trump Park trail is experiencing mixed conditions as of November 8, 2026. While the lower sections are largely snow-free and in good condition, patchy snow begins to appear around 4700 feet, becoming more consistent and deeper further up the trail as of October 11 and November 7. By November 7, snowshoes were recommended for continuing past 6200 feet due to deeper snow accumulations. The road to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles and parking at the Comet Falls trailhead was reported as partially full on October 4 and October 11, with roadside parking also an option. No significant bug issues were reported across the recent trip reports.
Generated from 20 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Van Trump Park
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 3 days ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
As of November 7, patchy snow is present starting around 4700 feet, becoming deeper and more consistent higher up. Snowshoes are recommended for continuing past 6200 feet due to deeper snow. Earlier reports in October indicated intermittent snow, but not significant accumulation.
Reports from August 28 and November 7 mention minor obstacles such as erosion and a small fallen tree, but these were not major impediments. The bridge over West Fork Van Trump Creek was reported as intact as of November 7.
The road to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles according to multiple reports from August 28 to November 7. Parking at the Comet Falls trailhead can fill up, with a report from October 4 noting three spots remaining at 8:45 AM, and roadside parking is available.
A large dead mountain goat was reported directly across from the main higher viewpoint of the falls on August 28. Other reports mention seeing pikas and distant goats, but wildlife sightings have been generally sparse.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Fresh3 days ago
Mount Rainier Area
Mt. Rainier during shoulder season...nothing beats it! Complete solitude the whole day, except for seeing two people towards the end. Made it to about 6200 in the Van Trump area. Depending on where th...
Recent3 weeks ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
The first two miles are steadily steep but generally well maintained. Not a whole lot to see until you get closer to Comet Falls, which is a pretty solid and tall waterfall. The best views overall for...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Today seemed like a good day for the one-way hike from Longmire to Comet Falls along Rampart Ridge (with shuttling assistance from my e-bike). After checking out the Comet Falls trailhead (half-full s...
Older1 month ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Comet Falls is a stunning destination, and I like the fact that reaching it must be earned by way of a moderate hike as opposed to it being a "drive in and stop and park and walk 50 yards and look at ...
Older2 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
This is a steep one! We hadn’t been on this particular trail for a couple of years and I would say erosion in some places made things a bit more challenging. Still a beautiful trail and worth every st...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
TACOMA HIKING & BACKPACKINGThis was one of those Mount Rainier hikes where the scenery gets better—and the history gets richer—the farther you go. Our route covered about10 miles, with approximately3,...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Instead of doing a round trip we decided to make it a thru hike which added few miles to our trip. We parked a car at Longmire Wilderness Information center parking lot and drove up towards Paradise t...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
If you are planning on going to Paradise, you might want to have a back up plan. I arrived at the entrance to the park before 7:00, and the lights on the sign that says Paradise is full was flashing. ...
Older3 months ago
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Got to the trailhead at about 9:30 am, and the parking area was full. Parking along the road was also taken. Had to park at Christine Falls and walk along the road.Did this along with Mildred Point.Bo...
Mount Rainier Area > SW - Longmire/Paradise
Hiked from Longmire to Comet Falls, with spur hikes to Mildred Point and Van Trump Park, following the Wonderland trail to Van Trump Trail and back (we didn’t take the loop on Rampart Ridge).The entry...