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Pinnacle Peak

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.8 (22)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Southwest Washington
  4. …Mount Rainier National Park
  5. Paradise
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“Leave the beauty of Reflection Lakes and Stevens Canyon for a higher Rainier vantage point. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.3

KM

Out and Back

6,488' 1,978 m

High

4,921' 1,500 m

Low

1,568' 478 m

Up

1,567' 478 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

73%

Max Grade (36°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Treat water before drinking. Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails.

Overview

Pinnacle Peak is situated in the middle of the Tatoosh Range and at an elevation of 6,562 feet it's the second highest peak in the range. On a clear day, the spectacular view from the saddle makes this route well worth the effort. To the north is a dramatic close up view of Mount Rainier and Paradise. To the south, views of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens in the foreground and Oregon's Mount Hood on the horizon.

Need to Know

There is no designated camp along this trail, nor atop the Tatoosh Range. Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available at park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers.

Description

Drive east either from Longmire or Paradise on the Stevens Canyon Road to the parking area at Reflection Lakes. The trailhead is on the south side of the road.

The trail begins with a gradual ascent but soon becomes a steep climb to the 5,920-foot saddle where the trail ends. Hiking boots are recommended since this trail has either a snow or loose rock surface all summer.

Flora & Fauna

This is an excellent trail on which to see pikas and marmots.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Mount Rainier National Park

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 22 votes

#3

in Paradise

#467

Overall
  4.8 from 22 votes
5 Star
86%
4 Star
9%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Paradise

#42

in Washington

#467

Overall
7 Views Last Month
2,874 Since Mar 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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24%
24%
52%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

The view of Rainier from Relfection Lakes.
Dec 8, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Close to the saddle, looking back toward Rainier. The mountain was hidden by clouds on this day.
Oct 14, 2019 near Greenwater, WA
Classic Reflection Lakes view.
Jun 27, 2016 near Eatonville, WA
Looking down the trail, just below the saddle.
Aug 21, 2020 near Greenwater, WA
Nearing the saddle.
Oct 14, 2019 near Greenwater, WA
A perfect reflection.
Feb 26, 2015 near Eatonville, WA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 99 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 8, 2024
Buddy Dunlap
Sep 16, 2023
Sara Becker
Lots of Pika, great picture spot at the top, steep incline 900+ elevation in 1.5 miles 2.9mi — 2h 00m
Oct 7, 2022
Kyle Harvey
Jul 30, 2022
Jonathan Zhu
Jul 26, 2021
Kelly Wang
Took 40min reached the top. From there can see the back of the mountain, Mt. Adams is visible. Very beautiful view. — 1h 30m
Aug 11, 2020
si brown
Aug 10, 2020
Cynthia Fox
Bouldered to the too. Fun!
Jul 25, 2020
Sungyeal Kim
1.3mi

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