Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

Packwood, Washington

4.8/5

based on 5 reviews

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Distance

2.5 miles

Elevation Gain

1050 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Sean Van Dommelen

This is a great short hike at 1.3 miles and plenty of elevation gain with 360' views of 3 volcanoes at the top.

This trailhead is easily accessed at the parking lot at Reflection Lakes in Mount Rainier National Park. A short but sweet hike (1.3 miles one way) that leads to beautiful views of Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and if clear enough, Mt. Hood (Oregon).

Pinnacle itself can be climbed to summit but it's an off-trail (class 3-4) scramble up crumbling rock, but well worth it. Just be mindful of your holds and maintain three points of contact at all times.

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Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP Reviews

Explorer

Jared Blitz

Explorer

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

11/19/20

I hiked this trail to the saddle after watching sunrise at Reflection Lake. I'd recommend getting to the trailhead by 8am in order to secure parking. The hike itself is completely uphill on a gradual incline. A beginner could handle it, but expect to go slow if you're new to hiking. Otherwise, it's pretty easy to fly up. Don't forget to turn around regularly for tremendous views of Tahoma. In the early light it's gorgeous. Also, this trail has a section over the saddle that's beautiful to hike around when you're done climbing to the peak or just choose not to.

5.0

Katherine Haveman

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

08/11/17

Great views of Rainier! I would also recommend following the rightmost trial for no more than a half mile for an easy scramble to Plummer Peak if you don't feel up to tackling Pinnacle Peak itself.

4.0

Explorer

Sarah Giek

Explorer

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

08/13/16

If you're looking for classic Mount Rainier views but don't have a lot of time (or even if you do have a lot of time), this hike should definitely be on your list! After the first quarter mile, you begin to move above the trees and get the most breathtaking views of the mountain. The ascent is a steady climb, but it only gets better as you make your way up to the pass; giving you lots of good reasons to stop and take a few pictures/catch your breath.

5.0

Explorer

Tobin Akehurst

Explorer

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

08/03/16

Love this one!

5.0

Sean Van Dommelen

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

07/28/16

This is a great short hike with awesome views!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Reflection Lakes

Reflection Lakes is located approximately 1 mile east of Inspiration Point just off Steven Canyons Road in the Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park. Simply park in one of the pullouts at the lakes and enjoy the scenery. Reflection Lakes can also be accessed via the Wonderland Trail.Try to catch the lakes early morning or evening when the water is still. If the sky is clear you’ll ...

Lakes Trail Loop

The Lakes Trail Loop can be accessed two ways. You can either start in Paradise and find one of the multiple points along the Skyline Trail or you can begin at Reflection Lake. My recommendation for a nice day hike is to begin at Reflection Lake. If you arrive by 8am you should have an easy time finding a parking space. Even better, if you show up for sunrise you will find yourself able to enj...

Ski Tour to The Castle & Pinnacle Peak

Enter Mount Rainier National Park via the Nisqually Entrance outside of Ashford. Drive past Longmire and continue heading up towards Paradise. Parking for this trip can be found at Narada Falls. From the Narada Falls parking lot you will head up to the closed for the winter portion of Stevens Canyon Road on the hill above the parking area. You will likely see some tracks going up the steep fac...

Summit Castle Peak, Mount Rainier NP

Start this route at the Narada Falls Parking lot. This route starts by following Stevens Canyon Road until you arrive at Reflection Lakes after 1.5 miles. About halfway along the lakeshore a path breaks off to the right into the forest. This is a popular route so there is often a snowshoe path beaten in (during winter season). Follow the path, or if there is not one, find your own way through t...

Snowshoe to Reflection Lakes

In 1899, Mount Rainier National Park became the 5th National Park to be established, and for good reason! With over 350 square miles of protected wilderness there's nothing you can't do within the boundary of the park, and in this case we're talking about snowshoeing.To many snowshoeing seems like a dauntingly hard activity, and don't get me wrong it can be, but the trail from Narada Falls to ...

Hike from Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes

Free copies of the Paradise Area Trails can be picked up at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center or Paradise Visitor Center. There are also a number of signs along the trails to decide the route of your adventure.From the Narada Falls parking lot it is a quick 0.1 mile drop down to the viewpoint. This area is always damp and misty due to the falls, and will be crowded. Continue on the tra...

Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP

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Hike Pinnacle Peak, Mt. Rainier NP Reviews

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Nearby

Explore Reflection Lakes

Lakes Trail Loop

Ski Tour to The Castle & Pinnacle Peak

Summit Castle Peak, Mount Rainier NP

Snowshoe to Reflection Lakes

Hike from Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes

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