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Mount Rainier National Park: Van Trump Park

 

This 4.6-mile round-trip takes an old mountaineers' route past cascades and through alpine meadows to a classic peak in the shadows of Rainier.

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Author: Backpacker Magazine
Activity: Hiking
State: Washington (WA)
Distance: 4.6 mi 
Difficulty: 7 / 10
Rating: Unrated  
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TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-5 N to US 12 E to WA 706 E to Nisqually entrance. Follow park road 4 mi. E of Longmire; parking and trailhead on L.

DIRECTIONS + WAYPOINTS: helping you find your way

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

CMT01

Dist: 2.30 mi Points: 745
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Van Trump Park via Comet Falls

Points of Interest

CMT001

Location: 46.778683°, -121.783516°
From parking lot, begin hiking NE beneath the southern flanks of Rampart Ridge

CMT002

Location: 46.780800°, -121.780632°
Cross bridge straddling Van Trump Creek; trail veers L

CMT003

Location: 46.783951°, -121.780113°
Marmots groom themselves and whistle in scree field on R

CMT004

Location: 46.785049°, -121.781319°
Parallel creek; bold, jagged peaks emerge

CMT005

Location: 46.786667°, -121.782448°
Continue N as whitewater rushes below steep hillside walls

CMT006

Location: 46.793495°, -121.778320°
Practice your balancing act: Tiptoe carefully across narrow log bridge using a single guide wire for support

CMT007

Location: 46.795967°, -121.778801°
Break to enjoy Comet Falls; this aptly named cascade flows 320 ft. from a glacial cirque; begin steep N ascent up switchbacks

CMT008

Location: 46.798035°, -121.777000°
Persistent switchbacks lead to open meadow where views to the N showcase the icy toes of Kautz and Van Trump Glaciers. Goats and pikas thrive in surrounding rocky alpine terrain

CMT009

Location: 46.799385°, -121.776665°
Van Trump Park summit, named after P.B. Van Trump, one of the first mountaineers on Rainier; open meadow flourishes with life and views of Mts. Adams, St. Helens, and Rainier; retrace route to car





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