Westwood Chalet - Mt. Rainier Area Activities

Trails

Eagle Peak Trail begins at Longmire. Drive or walk through the Longmire employee housing area and across the Nisqually River bridge. The trailhead is located on the left just across the bridge.
The trail is moderate to strenuous, 7.2 miles round trip, with 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
The trail switchbacks upward through virgin forest. Enjoy the beauty of the sub alpine timber and look for deer and other wildlife near the trail. Alpine meadows lush with flowers greet the hiker as the saddle is approached. At the Eagle Peak Saddle, panoramic views await.
From the saddle, experienced scramblers can continue left to the summit of Eagle Peak or right to Chutla Peak. (top)

The Rampart Ridge Trail begins near the west side of the Trail of the Shadows at Longmire (across the road from the Longmire Inn).
This moderate trail is a 4.6-mile loop, with 1400 feet of elevation gain.
The trail climbs steeply through the deep woods to the ridgeline, and then continues at a moderate to level hike across the ridge connecting with the Wonderland Trail to continue down to Longmire. Views of Mount Rainier are interspersed with beautiful stretches of mature forest. (top)

The Carter Falls Trail begins at the parking area about 2 miles east of Longmire and just west of the Cougar Rock Campground.
This moderate trail is 2.2 miles round trip and 700 feet of elevation gain.
The trail drops down to the Nisqually River and crosses the river on a foot log. From there the trail follows the Paradise River, first on level ground and then steeply through forested land to Carter Falls. Please keep small children close, as there are steep drop-offs along the trail.
(This trail continues above Carter Falls to Narada Falls and on to Paradise.) (top)

To reach the Comet Falls Trail, travel about 4 miles east of Longmire, along the road to Paradise. Parking is limited, so arrive early if you can.
The trip to Comet Falls is moderate, 3.8 miles round trip with 1,200 feet elevation gain. The hearty hiker can travel on to Van Trump Park, for a total round trip of 6 miles and elevation gain of 2,000 feet.
The trail to Comet Falls climbs through beautiful forest, with spectacular views of Van Trump Creek in a steep gorge along the way. The first falls encountered, to the right, at the footbridge, just before Comet Falls, are actually the lovely Falls Creek Falls, so continue on a short distance to the tall and dramatic Comet Falls on the left side of the trail!
The trail switchbacks upward through steep meadows until breaking out into Van Trump Park, with a climbers trail continuing through ascending meadows of alpine flowers reaching up all the way to the glaciers on the side of Mount Rainier. The views of the mountain to the north and other peaks to the south are unforgettable. (top)

Nisqually Vista: 1.2 miles round trip, minimal elevation gain: a short hike through sub alpine forest overlooking the Nisqually Glacier
Alta Vista: 1.6 miles round trip, 500 feet elevation gain: a short hike to Alta Vista summit for excellent views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range.
Camp Muir: 8.6 miles round trip, 4,700 feet elevation gain: a strenuous hike to Camp Muir, base camp for most Rainier climbs.
Lakes Trail: 4.5 miles round trip, 800 feet elevation gain: a popular loop trail between Paradise and Reflection Lakes with sub alpine forest and meadows along the way.
Dead Horse Creek: 2.3-mile loop, 600 feet elevation gain: great views of the Nisqually Glacier and Mount Rainier.
High Lakes Trail: 2.7 mile loop, minimal elevation gain: a short loop with views of the Tatoosh Range and Reflection Lakes.
Skyline Trail: 5.2 mile loop, 1,400 feet elevation gain: a moderate to strenuous hike to Panorama Point.
Paradise Glacier: 6.4 miles round trip, 1,000 feet elevation gain: a moderate hike on the east side of the Paradise hiking trails, including snow fields, hanging glacier views, and dramatic terrain. (top)

The trailhead is located just across the road from the Reflection Lakes parking area.
This moderate hike is 2.5 miles round trip, with 1000 feet elevation gain.
The trail ascends steeply through forest, meadows, and scree fields to the Pinnacle saddle. Views of Mount Rainier are spectacular along the trail and at the saddle. From the saddle, one also has views of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. Marmots are common sights along the trail.
Experienced scramblers may continue up to the left from the saddle to the summit of Pinnacle Peak. Alternatively, hardy hikers may continue to the right from the saddle, on a scramble trail to the top of Plummer Peak. (top)

This trailhead is located on Stevens Canyon Road, 1.5 miles beyond Reflection Lakes.
The moderate hike is 2.5 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain.
The trail meanders up and down through meadows and wooded areas, with great views of Mount Rainier and Unicorn Peak. Bench Lake is a short detour at about 0.75 miles. Continue another 0.5 miles to Snow Lake. The trail can be snowy and/or muddy in early summer. In late July and August, alpine flowers abound. In the fall, the huckleberry bushes provide spectacular color. (top)