While there are numerous amazing trails in Mount Rainier National Park, few of them offer as favorable an outcome compared to the effort as the Naches Peak Loop trail. Situated at Chinook Pass just east of Mount Rainier, this hike presents you three exceptional characteristics: blankets of multicolored wildflowers during summer, spectacular perspectives of Mount Rainier, and two picture-perfect alpine ponds.
The best part? You only have to hike 3.4 miles to take them all in! This is one of the best easy hikes in Washington State, and is one of the better family-friendly hike options near Rainier.
If that wasn’t enough, Tipsoo Lake is one of the best locations for witnessing sunrises in the state, with the ascending sun coming over the ridge behind you (if you’re facing Rainier) illuminating the peak in a pink glow before it is blanketed in that soft golden light only experienced within approximately an hour of sunrise or sunset.
From the northeast shore of Tipsoo Lake, the water offers a lovely mirror image of Rainier on still mornings. An even better perspective, we think, is the vista just above the shore along Highway 410, where the lake and towering Rainier come together in the backdrop.
Watching the sunrise at Tipsoo Lake and then hiking on the Naches Peak trail is an amazing way to kick off a day visiting Mount Rainier.
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Table of Contents
Hiking the Naches Peak Loop: Trail Details
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Trail Type: Loop
- Trailhead Site: Tipsoo Lake area
- Highlights: An astonishing mix of good views of Mount Rainier for surprisingly little effort. Plus, wildflower fields in early summer, and huckleberries in late summer.
- Starting Altitude: 5,300 feet
- Highest Altitude Reached: 5,900 feet
The Route for Hiking the Naches Peak Loop
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First, you’ll have a steadier climb up to the highest point on the hike (the second half of the hike is a steep downhill set of switchbacks).
Secondly, and more significantly, if you do the hike in a clockwise direction, the best views of Mount Rainier will be directly in front of you throughout the second half of the hike.
About three spots along the descent provide truly magnificent views of Mount Rainier, and taking a counterclockwise route means you`ll need to glance back to notice them.
The Best Time to Hike the Naches Peak Loop Trail
Like other trails near Mount Rainier National Park, use of Highway 410, which runs along the eastern side, determines the hiking season.
The road is only accessible from mid-summer through fall (roughly mid-June to early November, most years, yet it relies upon snowfall and spring climate).
You can check the status of Highway 410 over at WSDOT here.
This implies that this trail is really only accessible in the summer and early fall, which are both good times to hike in the Cascades. In the early summer, you’ll get blankets of wildflowers dotting the many meadows along the trail.
As summer progresses, those wildflowers start to disappear, and the huckleberries emerge!
Getting to the Trailhead for Naches Peak
Multiple access points allow hiking this loop trail, as the experience is similar regardless of where you leave your vehicle. But no matter the starting point, be sure to travel around it in a clockwise direction!
The main entrance to Tipsoo Lake – the one with restrooms and the largest parking area – is at the southwest corner of Tipsoo Lake. This entrance can be found at this location.
You can also park at the small parking area just up the road, or along Highway 410 above Tipsoo Lake. From there, you would walk down to the main Tipsoo Lake parking lot, which is where you will start the hike.
The primary trailhead is a 12-minute drive covering 6.5 miles up winding Chinook Pass from the turnoff for the White River entrance and Sunrise Visitor Center, gaining elevation along the way. From Seattle, it`s just under a two hour, 88 mile trip.
An alternative location to park is where the trail meets the Pacific Crest Trail, which is about a quarter mile into the hike. To get there, just continue driving past Tipsoo Lake, where you’ll pass under the footbridge that signifies the park boundary.
There are a pair of parking lots situated there on either side of the roadway. The trail passes directly over that footbridge, so you can complete the entire loop as planned from this location.
Are Dogs Allowed on this Trail?
It’s worth noting that dogs are not allowed on hiking trails in national parks.
However, to the east of that pedestrian bridge crossing over the road just past Tipsoo Lake, you’re actually outside the national park and following the PCT, which is on National Forest Land.
Technically, canines are permitted on about half of this trail – from that junction out to the junction where the Pacific Crest Trail veers left and takes you down to Dewey Lake (it’s roughly a mile and a half, one way).
However, I`d say you miss out on the best parts of the trail if doing it that way – none of the views of Mount Rainier are along that stretch of the route (though there are some lovely wildflowers and a picturesque small lake).
If traveling with a dog, that location is likely your sole choice.
Hiking the Naches Peak Trail: A Complete Trail Guide
This section provides a complete breakdown of what to anticipate throughout the hike.
Typically we split this section into segments based on distinctive parts of the trail, but this hike is short enough and sufficiently consistent throughout that dividing it is unnecessary.
At a high level, this trail involves a nice, steady incline for the first two miles or so, then a slightly steeper descent to return to Tipsoo Lake. The trail is in fantastic condition.
The trail commences from the primary Tipsoo Lake parking area, which is at the southwest corner of the lake.
From there, you’ll head left, uphill. When we were there in early August, this part of the trail was completely covered with purple wildflowers. It was quite a sight to see.
The trail climbs 150 feet over the first quarter mile, then you’ll emerge from the forest onto a footbridge that crosses over the highway.
This marks the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park for those coming from east to west over Chinook and Cayuse Passes. You, however, are heading east, meaning you are leaving the park here.
This is where the trail intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail, which you’ll follow for approximately a mile and a half. You’ll emerge onto a ridge with excellent views of the Cascades visible out to the east (your left).
You climb through a scenic bowl, passing a picturesque mountain pond approximately one mile in, continuing the ascent.
You’ll know most of the climbing is over when you reach a couple switchbacks that take you to the top of a ridge where you can see out to Dewey Lake and beyond.
And here begins the best part of the hike. It`s largely downhill with several stunning views of Mount Rainier along the way.
At 1.7 miles in, you reach the trail junction where the PCT veers left down to Dewey Lake (this is a nice three mile addition to your hike, if you’re looking for more mileage).
To return to Tipsoo Lake, veer right, where you’ll enter the national park again (pet owners – either turn back here, or send your dog to the car with the keys to activate the A/C while you finish the hike).
Immediately following that junction, you’ll encounter perhaps the most stunning views of Mount Rainier on the entire hike in quick succession.
The first notable scene is a view of a meadow and mountain tarn in the foreground, with towering Rainier looming over 8,000 feet beyond (it’s located at approximately the two mile marker).
The second location was a ridge – where a wedding party was seen taking photographs and the thought came about how the bride hiked up in her dress! – where you have a fairly good view of Mount Rainier (it`s roughly 0.2 miles past the small lake).
Great opportunity for quick portrait photos before the downhill hike.
For the next mile or so along the trail, the path descends along the mountainside with occasional views of Mount Rainier between the trees. Highway 410 must be crossed before returning to the parked vehicle.
That’s 3.4 miles logged, with some of the best views of Mount Rainier along the way!
