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Skyline Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (138)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Southwest Washington
  4. …Mount Rainier National Park
  5. Paradise
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“A popular and easily accessible route, skirting the slopes of Mount Rainier and Paradise Glacier. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

5.3

Miles

8.6

KM

Loop

6,765' 2,062 m

High

5,451' 1,661 m

Low

1,493' 455 m

Up

1,485' 453 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The park has closed Skyline Trail at the intersection that meets Upper Skyline due to slippery conditions. One has to take Upper Skyline to complete the loop. The park will re-evaluate the closure in the spring.

Check current trail conditions before starting this route. Early season trail use may be hazardous.

Overview

This route starts and ends at the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center, and is one of the more popular routes in the Paradise area.

As one might expect, the closer Skyline brings you to Mount Rainier, the better the views become. Especially if you're interested in getting up close and personal with Paradise Glacier.

Need to Know

Several sections of the park are designated as day use only. These areas have been closed to overnight camping due to previous resource damage caused by concentrations of people in areas too fragile to sustain such use. Paradise is a day use only area. Please stay only on the constructed trails and help minimize impact on this delicate environment. Current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers.

Rest on benches or rocks. Please do not sit or hike on delicate subalpine plants.

Treat water before drinking. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails.

Description

The trailhead is located near the entrance to the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, marked by stone steps inscribed with a quote by John Muir.

Hiking the loop clockwise, the trail climbs 2 miles until reaching Panorama Point, where a toilet is provided for trail users. Past Panorama Point the trail begins its one mile descent to the junction with the Golden Gate Trail. Another 0.75 mile and the Skyline Trail reaches the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial and its junction with the Paradise Glacier Trail. From there it descends into the Paradise Valley, then climbs slightly to Myrtle Falls and finally back to Paradise.

For a shorter version of this loop, take the Golden Gate Trail back to Paradise.

Flora & Fauna

The trail offers stunning displays of subalpine wildflowers, a close-up look at Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier, and, on a clear day, views of peaks as far south as Oregon's Mount Hood.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Mount Rainier National Park

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Cody Hendrix
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 138 votes

#1

in Paradise

#29

Overall
  4.8 from 138 votes
5 Star
83%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Paradise

#2

in Washington

#29

Overall
27 Views Last Month
14,699 Since Mar 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
1%
48%
19%
31%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

Mt. Rainier towards the beginning of the Skyline Trail.
Feb 6, 2016 near Eatonville, WA
The mountain looming in the background after a switchback on Skyline Trail.
Dec 16, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Mt. Rainier
May 13, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Winter camping just outside Paradise on the Skyline Trail.
Dec 16, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
A beautiful cascade coming off of Skyline.
Jul 23, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Photos just don't do this massive mountain justice!
Jun 27, 2016 near Eatonville, WA

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 82 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 16, 2023
Sara Becker
6.3mi — 4h 22m
Sep 14, 2023
Sara Becker
Tough, first part is tough! Good views.
Sep 10, 2023
Eunjung Kim
Sep 6, 2023
Madison Baker
Aug 27, 2023
Jacquelyn Krueger
Aug 25, 2023
Eunjung Kim
Aug 19, 2023
Chase Nelson
6mi — 2h 14m
Aug 13, 2023
Jie Xu

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