I love Will’s adventurous spirit. I picked him up from the airport at 1pm on Saturday and by 4pm we were en route to this beautiful mountain. Will films national parks for a living (to check out his amazing project, click here!) and last year we spent almost all of our weekends hiking at Mt. Rainier! For the full rundown, check out our guide to the best things to do at Mt. Rainier National Park.Most of the park shuts down in the winter due to hazardous road conditions and we’ve been eagerly waiting for the roads to open. When they do, the wildflower hikes at Mt. Rainier are absolutely worth the wait.We hiked Pinnacle Peak this last weekend and (in our opinion) this is the most scenic hike in the park. For more options, here are the best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park. The views are jaw-dropping!
I have to be honest here, the hike was tough! It’s 1.3 miles one way, but you gain 1,000 feet of elevation. Will and I kept telling ourselves we should really start getting in shape-ha!
We saw six marmots at the end of the trail head! They are so playful!!
The weather could not have been better; blue skies and sunshine the entire way out and back – we forgot to use sunscreen, so we came back with the funniest tans!
Pinnacle Peak Trail Details
If you’re thinking about hiking Pinnacle Peak, here’s what you need to know. The trail is 2.5 miles round trip (1.3 miles each way) and you’ll gain about 1,050 feet of elevation. That might not sound like much on paper, but trust me, you feel every foot of it.The trailhead is at the Reflection Lakes parking area off Stevens Canyon Road. You can’t miss it. Fair warning though, parking fills up fast on summer weekends, so try to get there before 9 AM if you can.The trail starts off pretty mellow through wildflower meadows but quickly gets steep and rocky. There are a few sections where you’re scrambling over loose rock, so wear real hiking boots. Sneakers aren’t going to cut it here.The payoff is at the saddle near the top. You get a full, unobstructed view of Mt. Rainier on one side and the entire Tatoosh Range on the other. It’s one of those views where you just stand there with your mouth open for a while.Tips for Hiking Pinnacle Peak
A few things we wish we’d known going in.Snow can linger on this trail well into August. We hiked it in mid-July and still had to cross a few snow fields. Trekking poles would have been nice. We white-knuckled it instead.Bring sunscreen and more water than you think you need. Once you’re above the treeline, there’s zero shade and the sun is relentless. We learned that one the hard way (see our ridiculous tan lines).Keep your eyes peeled for marmots near the summit. We saw six of them and they were the highlight of the hike for me. They’re so unbothered by people, just sunbathing and going about their business.The whole hike took us about 2.5 hours with plenty of photo stops. If you’re reasonably fit and don’t mind a challenge, this is the most rewarding hike in the park.For more options, here are the best hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park.Until next time,AntoninaFrequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Pinnacle Peak hike at Mt. Rainier?
Pinnacle Peak is a moderate to strenuous hike. It’s 2.5 miles round trip with 1,050 feet of elevation gain. The trail gets steep and rocky in the upper sections. We’d recommend it for anyone in decent shape who doesn’t mind a climb.
When is the best time to hike Pinnacle Peak?
Late July through September is ideal. Snow can linger on the trail well into August, and Stevens Canyon Road (where the trailhead is) doesn’t usually open until late June or early July. Check the NPS website for current road conditions before you go.
How long does the Pinnacle Peak hike take?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours round trip. We took about 2.5 hours with stops for photos and marmot watching. The ascent is slow going because of the elevation gain, but the descent is much quicker.
Leave a Reply