Hike description: This trail leads from the White River Campground to the Glacier Basin backcountry camp (permit required), along the second most popular route to Mount Rainier’s peak.
The trail, starting at 4,300 feet above sea level, follows the bed of an old mining road (look for mining artifacts by the trail). The broad path through the forest then narrows and heads uphill at the point that the floods of the fall of 2006 saw the White River overflow its river bed and undermine the river bank. The floods wiped out the lower section of the trail and littered the wide, soft trail with melon-size river rock. Park trail crews and a large cadre of volunteer trail builders spent four-plus years moving the trail up the hill and, hopefully, out of the reach of the vagaries of the river. The rebuilt trail quickly heads uphill, gaining elevation with a couple of switchbacks. While not as luxuriously wide as the old trail was, the newly built section is wider than most forest trails to accommodate the heavy traffic of climbers, backpackers and hikers who use this trail.
At a mile is the signed junction (on the left) with the Emmons Moraine Trail. Continuing on the main trail, the next junction (on the right) is for the Burroughs Mountain Trail. In another half mile or so is the Glacier Basin campground, the end of the maintained trail and home to a family (or two) of marmots and the occasional passing black bear. As you enjoy lunch and a well-deserved nap, take out your map to identify The Mountain, Mount Ruth and The Wedge, rising above the meadow. For more adventurous hikers who may want to add more miles and elevation gain to the trip, continue upward toward the Inter Glacier on the unmaintained climber’s track. Be careful on this track as some segments of the path traverse steep inclines and are very narrow. In wet weather the soil on this route is very slippery.
Directions: Take state Route 410 through Enumclaw and Greenwater to the White River Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Drive five miles from the entrance to the White River Campground. Turn left into the campground and park in the day use parking on the left. Follow the signs through the camp sites or walk the road to the trailhead signed for Glacier Basin.
Difficulty rating: 3 (1 is easiest, 5 is most difficult)
Miles round-trip: 6.2
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Best time of year: July to October
Map: Green Trails 270 Mount Rainier East or Green Trails 269S Mount Rainier Wonderland
Pass: Mount Rainier or National Park week or annual pass
Also: The road to the campground will remain open until Oct. 30 if the weather allows. Restrooms and potable water are located at the park entrance and at White River campground. Composting toilets are at the Glacier Basin Camp.
Always carry the 10 Essentials on wilderness travel. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all your trash, staying on the trail to avoid meadow damage, taking only pictures, and not feeding the wildlife either intentionally or inadvertently. In 2011, three black bears were frequenting Glacier Basin Camp. Check with the rangers at the park entrance for the current wildlife situation before heading out on the trail. Prudence on the part of hikers will help to avoid potential conflicts between the species.
More information: For road and trail conditions, snow levels, and campground information: Mount Rainier National Park, 360-569-2211; nps.gov/mora; “Day Hiking Mount Rainier,” Mountaineers Books.
Hike of the Week is presented by the Hiking/Backpacking Committees of the Olympia and Tacoma Branches of The Mountaineers.
