Skyline Loop and Alpine Wildflowers at Mount Rainier

I’ll never forget the first time I did the Skyline Loop Trail at Mount Rainier.

It was the last weekend in July, and when we got up in the morning, we saw that the mountain was out. So, Scott suggested we head to the mountain for a hike. We packed a lunch and went.

The snow was already melted around Paradise when we arrived. In fact, the snow had melted off rather early that year. There were wildflowers everywhere!

The lupin and paintbrush were both in full bloom. I had never seen anything like it. They were everywhere. Blue, red, pink, and white. A master gardener couldn’t have planned a more beautiful landscape. I was just in awe as we hiked the trail.

Along the way we also saw Edith Creek, Myrtle Falls, stunning views of the mountain and the Tatoosh Range.

The Skyline Loop takes you to Panorama Point where -on a clear day- you can also see Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood. Mount Rainier looks absolutely ginormous from there too. Panorama Point is a great place to stop and eat lunch. There are plenty of rocks to sit on, and even an outhouse if you need it.

We encountered just a little bit of snow as you normally do on that trail. Nothing that you need special equipment for, but trekking poles come in handy. Make sure you take water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. And it’s a good idea to pack a jacket. You never know when the weather will change up there.  

The hike is just over 5.5 miles and climbs over 1700 feet. It will take a few hours to complete, but there are many great viewpoints along the way to stop and catch your breath.

Scott and I like to hike the Skyline Loop in a clockwise direction. It’s a little steeper ascent, but this puts the best views right in front of you the whole way. You have Mount Rainer right in front of you on the way up, and on the way down when the mountain is hidden behind hills, you face the Tatoosh Range.

This hike has become very popular and can be quite crowded. It’s best to do it in the middle of the week if you can and arrive early in the day to find parking. The wildflowers season varies from year to year but is normally during the first couple of weeks in August.

This hike really got me hooked on the wildflowers. Each year I try to catch a hike or two that will give me a chance to see some of the flowers. Some years are better than others.

Sometimes I head for Paradise, other years I look for less crowded places. Sometimes I find the flowers, but the mountain is clouded over. I always enjoy the hunt.

We’ve been to trails around Paradise, Tolmie Peak, Spray Park, Naches Loop, Tipsoo Lake, and trails around Sunrise. I keep coming back to the Skyline Loop Though. It’s really my favorite.

Do you have a favorite hike? I’d love to hear from you.