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Skyline Trail Loop
Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier National Park
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At 7,100 feet, Shannon is standing at the highest point along the Skyline Trail Loop.
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Trailhead: Paradise Visitor Center
Distance: 5.5 Miles (loop)
Elevation Gain: 1,700 vertical feet
This is the trailhead to the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park. These stairs are located just behind the Paradise Visitor Center.
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The Skyline Trail Loop
The Skyline Trail Loop is one of the classic hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, and for many vacationers, it is one of the top hiking experiences in the Paradise area. This outstanding loop begins near the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, where the trailhead is located by the stone steps near the entrance to the visitor center. From the very beginning, hikers are surrounded by beautiful subalpine meadows, wide-open views, and the massive presence of Mount Rainier rising directly above the trail.
How Far? How Long?
The full Skyline Trail Loop is approximately 5.5 miles round trip, with about 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Most hikers allow around 4 to 5 hours to complete the loop, depending on trail conditions, photo stops, and time spent enjoying the views.
Highlights Along the Way
One of the top attractions along the Skyline Trail is Panorama Point, which is one of the best viewpoints in the Paradise area. On a clear day, hikers can see Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and even Mount Hood far to the south. The views of Mount Rainier, the Nisqually Glacier, and the surrounding mountain country are absolutely outstanding from this high point on the trail.
Other highlights along the way include wildflower meadows, glacier views, marmots, mountain goats if you are lucky, and the beautiful Myrtle Falls near the lower section of the hike. We really enjoy the Skyline Trail because it captures so much of what makes Mount Rainier National Park special: glaciers, meadows, waterfalls, wildlife, and unforgettable mountain scenery, all in one incredible loop hike.
Other Trail Options
There are also several trail options along the way. Hikers who want a shorter route can take the Golden Gate Trail, which cuts back toward Paradise and creates a shorter loop. Those continuing on the full Skyline Trail will travel beyond Panorama Point, where the High Skyline Trail is often recommended to avoid a dangerous icy slope that can remain well into the season. The route then continues toward the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial and the junction with the Paradise Glacier Trail before descending into Paradise Valley.
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John Muir's words, written in 1889, are chiseled into the stone steps leading up to the start of the Skyline Trail.
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The views all along the Skyline Trail are absolutely fantastic.
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Which Direction? Clockwise or Counter Clockwise?
You can't go wrong whether you approach the Skyline Trail Loop in the clockwise direction or counter clockwise direction. HOWEVER, we've hiked the Skyline Trail in both directions, and we personally prefer the counter clockwise direction. The hike up is more gradual in the clockwise direction, and the sun is always in a better position throughout the day. In the morning, the sun is in the perfect spot for beautiful lighting on your way up to the highpoint, and it's again in the perfect place during the afternoon when you are heading back down the other side.
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The views all along the Skyline Trail are absolutely fantastic.
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Myrtle Falls is one of numerous breathtaking scenes along the Skyline Trail loop.
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Myrtle Falls
Myrtle Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park, and it is an easy stop that is well worth your time. Located very close to Paradise Inn and the main trailhead, this beautiful waterfall is only a short walk away, which makes it a favorite for many visitors. What makes Myrtle Falls especially memorable is the way it combines a lovely waterfall setting with outstanding views of Mount Rainier in the background. We really enjoyed spending some time here during our hike, and if you are exploring Paradise, Myrtle Falls is definitely a stop you should make.
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This is the view just above Myrtle Falls, from a foot bridge along the Skyline Trail.
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Hikers heading up the east side of the Skyline Trail Loop.
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This is the view along the east side of the loop, which is where you'd first head if you chose the counter clockwise direction.
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Wildflowers along the east side of the Skyline Trail loop.
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Another view along the east side of the Skyline Trail loop. The trail steepens here as it makes its way to the midpoint.
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Midway Point (Highest Point)
At 7,100 feet, the highest point along the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park is actually the midway point. The trail levels out for a few hundred yards, where you can relax, enjoy a snack, and take in the tremendous views to the south. Mount Rainier towers over you to the north. This is a really spectacular section of the trail, and is where most hikers will sit down and enjoy it, as well as snap a bunch of photos. It's really a memorable experience.
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Hikers enjoying their time at the highest point along the Skyline Trail loop, which is 7,100 feet.
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Hikers standing on the Skyline Trail's highest point at 7,100 feet above sea level.
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A view of Mount Adams and Pinnacle Peak from the highpoint along the Skyline Trail.
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Here we are standing on the Skyline Trail's highest point. We are approximately 7,100 feet above sea level.
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Pebble Creek Trail
You will notice a spur trail leaving the loop at this point, heading toward the mountain. This trail is called the Pebble Creek Trail, which takes hikers and climbers onto the Muir Snowfield. Camp Muir (10,188 feet) is found up there, which is a basecamp for climbers summitting Mount Rainier. You'll likely see climbers working their way up and down this trail.
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Climbers heading down Pebble Creek Trail and connecting with the Skyline Trail after climbing Mount Rainier.
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Hikers on the Pebble Creek Trail.
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Climbers on the Muir Snowfield high above the Skyline Trail.
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Here we are standing at the highest point along the Skyline Trail (7,100') in Mount Rainier National Park.
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Panorama Point
Once you've enjoyed the view at 7,100 feet (if you hiked counter clockwise), you're next goat is to hike down to Panorama Point (6,800 feet). This overlook provides stunning views of the massive slopes of Mount Rainier rise above you while ridges, valleys, and distant mountains stretch out across the horizon to the south.
We love spending time here because the views are absolutely breathtaking. Panorama Point was definitely one of the highlights of our hikes along the Skyline Trail. It’s the kind of place where the beauty and scale of Mount Rainier’s landscape really sink in, and you may find yourself staying a little longer than you planned.
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Panorama Point along the Skyline Trail.
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Panorama Point along the Skyline Trail, with Mount Adams in the distance.
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West Side of the Skyline Trail Loop
The west side of the Skyline Trail Loop provides outstanding views of not only Mount Rainier, but of the landscape to the south. This is the steepest section of the loop, but if we had to choose, is the most scenic. Below are some photos along the west side to give you an idea of what you're about to enjoy. Note: if you're heading down this trail away from Mount Rainier, rather than climbing up the trail toward the mountain, make sure to TURN AROUND OFTEN so you can see the incredible views of Mount Rainier!
The west side of the Skyline Trail Loop provides outstanding views of not only Mount Rainier, but of the landscape to the south. This is the steepest section of the loop, but if we had to choose, is the most scenic. Below are some photos along the west side to give you an idea of what you're about to enjoy. Note: if you're heading down this trail away from Mount Rainier, rather than climbing up the trail toward the mountain, make sure to TURN AROUND OFTEN so you can see the incredible views of Mount Rainier!
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Shannon along the west side of the Skyline Trail loop.
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A view along the west side of the Skyline Trail loop.
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Hikers heading up the west side of the Skyline Trail Loop.
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A view along the west side of the Skyline Trail loop. We are facing south with our backs to Mount Rainier.
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A view along the west side of the Skyline Trail loop. We are facing south with our backs to Mount Rainier.
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A view along the west side of the Skyline Trail loop. We are almost back to the trailhead at the Paradise Visitor Center.
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