Skyline Trail Loop is a 5.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Carbonado, Washington that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from July until October.
Mount Rainier National Park charges a fee to enter. Fees are per vehicle or per motorcycle. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is per person. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Please check the park website for current rates. SEASONAL CLOSURE: This area is subject to seasonal closure due to weather conditions. For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-travel.htm#:~:text=Mount%20Rainier%20National%20Park%20is,entrance%20due%20to%20flood%20damage. The Skyline Trail is the most popular route out of Paradise on the southern side of Mount Rainier. This loop has something for everyone: lush vegetation, glacier views, rivers, waterfalls, and incredible views of the surrounding area. This “choose your own adventure” hike can be done several different ways. The loop can be done in either direction, but many people choose the clockwise route mapped on this page. If you’re not interested in doing the full loop, many hikers make it to Panorama Point before turning around and heading back the way they came. On the western side of the loop there is an optional offshoot named Glacier Vista. This side-trip offers views of the Nisqually Glacier. Regardless of your planned route, you’ll start at the Jackson Visitor Center. Here you’ll find restrooms, food, and informational exhibits. If you’re doing the mapped route on this page, you’ll start northward on the Skyline Trail. After roughly 1.5 miles, the turn off to Glacier View is on your left. Continue along Skyline Trail, eventually veering eastward. After roughly two miles from the start you’ll reach Panorama Point. The views here are incredible. After resting a bit, continue eastward on the Skyline Trail. If you’re tired or crunched for time, you can take a shortcut back via the Golden Gate Trail. If you’d like to complete the full Skyline Trail, continue eastward, and you’ll eventually reach Sluiskin Falls. Nearby you’ll also find the Stevens Van Trump Historic Monument, a memorial to the first person to ascend the mountain. From here you’ll continue downhill, eventually reaching Myrtle Falls. Another short segment of downhill hiking and you’re back at the Jackson Visitor Center. As with many trails in the area, this hike can be entirely different in winter. If you’re visiting from October - May, this route requires spikes, snowshoes, and hiking poles. Do not attempt during winter without experience hiking in snowy, icy conditions.
A National Parks Pass is required to enter the park
Mount Rainier National Park Longmire Wilderness Information Center Tahoma Woods, Star Route Ashford, WA 98304 Tel: 360.569.4453
April 15, 2021I think this might be my favorite trail EVER. The winter skyline views are unbelievable. But the initial climb for the first few miles, combined with the thin air from the high altitude, is HARD. And I’ve done some difficult hikes. I seriously think this trail rating should be upgraded. You definitely need snowshoes and poles. But the effort and the challenge is totally worth it. JUST DO IT!
April 13, 2021We did this in July a couple years ago and I've never seen so many wildflowers (or marmots). On top of that there's spectacular views everywhere you look, a waterfall at the beginning, and of course Mount Rainier in the backdrop the whole time. Overall this is easily one of the best hikes I've ever been on.
April 1, 2021Très belle randonnée qui nécessite une bonne form physique mais qui ne comprend pas de difficulté. Superbe paysage et vue imprenable sur le Mt Rainier.
March 27, 2021Fantastic! If you come now, snowshoes and poles are a must.
March 27, 2021Great snow
March 19, 2021I only mad it to the panorama point. Once I got up there couldn’t figure out where the skyline trail continued. Snow shoes a must
March 17, 2021March 15, 2021My first time on snowshoes! Trail starts with a lot of elevation gain and flattens out a bit as you get away from the visitors center.
March 13, 2021Awesome snowshoeing! So beautiful and people snowshoeing and skiing everywhere. Saw awesome snowboarding off snow ramp. Sunny sunny saw lots of mountains in every direction. Only did part of the trail and went in all different directions. Got here at around 10:45am and the spillover parking lot was almost full.
March 13, 2021March 11, 2021An absolute stunner of a bluebird snow day. We snowshoed up from the Jackson Visitors Center parking lot all the way up to McClure Rock. We were following all the backcountry skiiers who were all aiming for Camp Muir. Once we got through to Panorama Point, the track hadn't been broken through for the loop traversing around. We weren't comfortable given the amount of snow on the ground, so we turned around and made our way back down the super steep climb. Absolutely gorgeous views, but it took us almost an hour a mile up the mountain, and as much back down with the deep powder and steepness. Most everyone was great with stepping off tracks to give space, as masks at that effort and altitude were rare.
March 6, 2021January 28, 2021nice snowshoe hike
January 28, 2021Realmente impresionante
January 23, 2021January 21, 2021Great trail to go on a lot of elevation gain but over all cleaned and well maintained
January 10, 2021January 10, 2021January 4, 2021January 1, 2021Very stunning views, lots of elevation gain for a new person like me
December 28, 2020December 27, 2020Loved it! Trails easy to follow at first. There is a winter route, we only went half way!
December 23, 2020Tried out the snow shoes.
December 12, 2020
