In the Lakes Trail’s eastern uplands, the forest opens to huge meadows with sprawling views of Mt. A clutch of small lakes and ponds dots the woodland near the High Lakes Trail’s eastern junction with the Lakes Trail and just above Faraway Rock’s surprise vantage of Louise Lake far below. The High Lakes Trail connects the western and eastern portions of the Lakes Trail north of Reflection Lakes, undulating across the short hills that ripple the mountainside between meadows and either looping around the lakes or bypassing them, depending on route. It can also be hiked in the reverse direction from its lower trailheads. From its upper trailheads, the Lakes Trail descends to Reflection Lakes, where it merges briefly with the Wonderland Trail and flattens along the lakes’ southern shores before diverging again and climbing - sometimes rigorously - to rejoin Paradise. Rainier’s peekaboo appearances throughout. Although the hiking season peaks during Paradise’s spectacular mid-summer wildflower display, the trails’ many other features provide interest throughout the year, including their namesake lakes, alternating meadow and woodland waysides, unexpected panoramas, and Mt. The pair anchors the southern network of trails that lace Paradise, the aptly named area of the Park at the headwaters of the Paradise River. Rainier National Park’s Lakes and High Lakes trails afford a variety of hiking experiences, from shadowy woodlands to flower-clad meadows and soaring vistas, with considerable differences in round-trip distance to satisfy a range of fitness levels. Given their several trailheads and loop configurations, Mt.

Rainier National Park's 'High Lakes Trail,' or, 'High Lakes Loop,' rather than the ' High Lakes Trail' located in King County, Washington. National Park Service (wildlife safety tips) National park pass or equivalent for national parks and federal recreational lands

The Lakes Trail merges with the Wonderland Trail along Reflection Lakes from any of the Wonderland trailheads between Reflection Lakes and the parking area, hike in the desired direction of travel and look for signs indicating where the Lakes Trail diverges at either end of the lakes.

Turn right onto Stevens Canyon Road and proceed 1.50 miles / 2.40 km to the parking area at Reflection Lakes.

Access the Lakes Trail on either side of Valley Road, depending on the desired direction of travel.

Turn left onto Valley Road and proceed 0.40 miles / 0.60 km to a small parking area on the left.

Turn right onto Stevens Canyon Road and proceed 0.20 miles / 0.30 km to Valley Road.

Continue into the park on Paradise Road (on some maps shown as The Road to Paradise) and proceed 15.00 miles / 24.10 km to Stevens Canyon Road.

Use these trailheads to hike the Lakes Trail loops clockwise Access the Skyline Trail and proceed right approximately 1.40 miles / 2.30 km to its junction with the Lakes Trail, indicated by signage.

The Skyline trailheads are located along the north edges of the Paradise parking areas.

Use this trailhead to hike the Lakes Trail loops counterclockwise The Lakes trailhead is located just south of Paradise Inn where Paradise Road turns into Valley Road, across the road from the last parking area.Continue into the park on Paradise Road (on some maps shown as The Road to Paradise) and proceed 16.00 miles / 25.70 km to the parking areas at the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center.Rainier National Park's Nisqually entrance just east of Ashford, Washington Eastbound on State Route 706 (on some maps shown as National Park Highway), proceed to its terminus at Mt.Rainier National Park - Paradise Area, Washington South CascadesĪncestral lands of the Nisqually, Mishalpam (Upper Nisqually), and Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Mountain and panoramic views lake views wildflowers wildlifeĢ.70 miles / 4.30 km (western and eastern Lakes Trail sections and High Lakes Trail hiked as a loop from the Reflection Lakes trailheads)ģ.30 miles / 5.20 km (western and eastern Lakes Trail sections and High Lakes Trail hiked as a loop from the Valley Road trailhead)Ĥ.60 miles / 7.40 km (western and eastern Lakes Trail sections and High Lakes Trail hiked as a loop between the Lakes and Skyline trailheads)Ĥ.80 miles / 7.70 km (western and eastern Lakes Trail sections and High Lakes Trail hiked as a loop to and from the Lakes trailhead)ĥ.40 miles / 8.70 km (full Lakes Trail hiked as a loop between the Lakes and Skyline trailheads or to and from the Reflection Lakes or Valley Road trailheads)

Mt rainier reflection lake hike