Pinnacle Peak Trail at Mount Rainier National Park

[Terry]

Pinnacle Peak is situated in the middle of the Tatoosh Range at an elevation of 6562 feet, the second highest peak in the range.
Round trip, 2.5 miles
Elevation gain, 1050 feet

If you're looking for an easy hike in the park with good views, this is one to consider. It takes about two hours and has nice spots on top for viewing on both sides, toward Rainier and looking the other way, Mount Adams.

Looking at Mount Rainier from the saddle of Pinnacle Peak trail

Looking toward Mount Adams in Eastern Washington from the saddle of the Pinnacle Peak Trail
Taylor Love is making like a bird.

In the distance behind Taylor, are the glaciers of Mount Rainier. By his foot, you can see the visitor center located at Paradise.

Pinnacle Peak, with the trail zig zaggin below the rock fall.

 

[Terry]

The trail map for Pinnacle Peak Trail, located near Reflection Lake

The trail head is at Reflection Lake

Terry Love almost to the saddle.

Taylor finding rocks to look at.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Cookie]

You have no idea, how much I love your mountains.

 

[BobL43]

Gorgeous scenic views Terry. Last time I saw anything so beautiful was in Switzerland on Schilthorn Alps, the one where James Bond was fighting with that Jaws guy on the cable car to Piz Gloria at 9,700 feet up. I had lunch up there. what a view!

 

[Pipehacker]

Very nice. How long before trails at that altitude get snowed in?

 

[Terry]

The snow starts hitting sometime in October here at that elevation. Mt Rainier sticks way up and catches the moist winds coming off the ocean, therefore getting more snowfall than most anywhere.
When I hiked to the top back in 2002, the winds were about 60 miles an hour. The ice is hundreds of feet thick in places. This hike is across the valley from Rainier and doesn't get near the amount of snow.
My avatar this week, was taken on Saturday. You can see the wild flowers behind me.
Paradise Skyline trail in the picture below.

 

[Terry]

I maybe need to do this hike again this Summer. It's a short 3 hour hike with great views.

Round trip, 2.5 miles
Elevation gain, 1050 feet