Skyline Trail is a 5.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Paradise Inn, 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.
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Forest
Partially paved
River
Views
Waterfall
Wild flowers
Wildlife
Bugs
Muddy
Rocky
Snow
No dogs
Note: This route is rated moderate-hard. Trail loops around broad Edith Creek basin, leading through alpine flower meadows, past thundering waterfalls, and over high, craggy peaks. In this one loop you'll experience the best paradise region has to offer. Users recommend going counter clockwise.
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
From Tacoma, south 40 miles on Highway 7 to Elbe. Turn east on Highway 706 and drive 10 miles to the Nisqually Entrance Station. Continue 18 miles to the National Park Inn at Paradise. The trailhead is behind the inn.
Wed Jul 08 2020I went in early July of 2020 and this trail is completely blown out. As soon as you get to the trail head behind the inn there is about 2 ft of snow covering the trail. About a quarter MI in the whole trail is blown out and it is unsafe to cross unless you have spikes and poles. I only had poles and the trip down was very steep if I had fallen. Also the Ranger warned me before I went in that there had been "many search and rescues on this trail recently". I wouldn't attempt until August. Also for those who don't know you will pay $30 to get into the park if you don't have a pass.
Wed Jul 08 2020Tue Jul 07 2020would definitely recommend doing this hike later in the year when it’s warmer BUT a fun hike nevertheless. if you’re hiking now, bring snow/waterproof pants so you’re able to slide your way down the snow covered hills!
Mon Jul 06 2020Mon Jul 06 2020
Mon Jul 06 2020It was a beautiful view but trail totally covered in snow. Went clockwise around and used the map downloaded to find our way down. There hadn’t been many recent hikers on the second half of the trail so we pretty much made our own trail. We didn’t have footprints to follow. We had micro spikes which were a necessity.
Sun Jul 05 2020Sat Jul 04 2020Thu Jul 02 2020Beautiful trail! Love everything about it, especially the wildflowers and falls. Recommend a hat and sunscreens. Please practice good trail etiquette. Enjoy!
Wed Jul 01 2020Hiked August 2006 and July 2013. Spectacular
Mon Jun 29 2020Just used app to stay around trail. Slid down most of the way, wouldn't reccomended east side without poles minimum
Mon Jun 29 2020Enjoyed this hike an incredible amount. The first 3 quarters going clockwise was extremely fun. Great views, challenging, and great places to sled down on a jacket. Snow the whole way. We hiked in waterproof hiked boots and had 1 hiking pole each and we made it. Once it came to the last quarter of the loop, it was too steep and icy in some areas. We couldn’t get good foot holds and decided to make our way down the mountain to the road and hike that for safety. Wouldn’t recommend going the last bit unless you have crampons and poles. Overall would absolutely do this hike again but maybe only to panorama point or a little past and then going back down the way we came.
Sat Jun 27 2020Deep snow, couldn’t do east path. Clouds came in and had to turn around. Beautiful views though!
Fri Jun 26 2020Wet beautiful place
Thu Jun 25 2020This is the most popular trail in the park for a reason. Even in the snow, void of flowers and meadows, the views and landscape are stunning. Did 3.5 miles- got a little above panorama point before turning back. We didn’t wear spikes or bring equipment to trek on further. As others have indicated, the trail is non existent. GPS helps but if you don’t plan on completing the whole thing, you should be fine by following the people and or boot prints. If you go in the next couple of weeks, bring trash bags or snow pants- we had fun glacadiing down the mountain
Wed Jun 24 2020Group of 4 with tough 10 and 12 year old boys completed the trail using alltrails map Tuesday 6/23. We even climbed the Mclure rock which added a hundred feet elevation change. All trails app is worth every penny as there is no visible trail, bec it still covered with snow. Hiking is difficult and strenuous and we are constantly trying to find a safe way to go down the mountain after Mclure Rock there is no visible footprints/paths. There was only a handful hikers mostly skier completing the trail. There is one portion that we were on the side of the mountain and when I looked up it was so scary that I feel like it was going to avalanche since the temp that time was 70 degrees F. We have waterproof hiking shoes w/c got wet but no frostbite. So I recommend bringing yaktrax, if you going to be wearing a hiking shoes, don’t forget the gaiter, otherwise wear snowshoes/skis. Hiking pole with snow basket is a must and bring your toughness with you or wait till the snow is completely thawed. Beautiful scenery, we saw a lot of marmots and chipmunks. This is the toughest trail we have done so far, our family are experienced hikers.
