Panorama point trail1/28/2024 When you’re not looking up at the scenery, scout the sides of the trail for blue grouse hopping in the bushes and great red paintbrush coloring the meadows. This iconic hike is an all-day showcase of the park’s best gems, descending along Yosemite Valley’s south wall past Panorama Point, Illilouette Falls, and Half Dome. Trailhead coordinates: 46.78669, -121.734536 (46° 47′ 12.1″N 121° 44′ 04.On the Panorama Trail in Yosemite National Park, panoramic vistas of the valley and surrounding waterfalls are guaranteed. Trailhead address: 52415 Paradise-Longmire Road, Mount Rainier National Park, Packwood, WA 98361 The trail is located between the visitor center and the inn. Turn right and drive two miles of switchbacks up to the parking area at Paradise. From the east side of the park, take Route 123 to Stevens Canyon Road (near Ohanapecosh) and drive west for 19 miles to Paradise Road. Pass Narada Falls and turn left on Paradise Road, concluding the trip with two miles of switchbacks up the Paradise. Turn right and drive 65 miles, passing through the town of Ashford and into Mount Rainier National Park. To get to the trailhead: From the west, from the 5 Freeway in Tacoma, take exit 127 onto Route 512 east and drive 2 miles to Route 7 South. There is a national park entrance fee to reach Paradise, but no permit is required to hike Skyline Trail. It is an incredible journey through a rugged and beautiful world. Skyline Trail could easily be called Mount Rainier’s must-do hike. It is less than half a mile back to the trailhead next to the Paradise Inn. The pavement resume at Myrtle Falls, which means the great hike is coming to an end. Myrtle Falls is a postcard waiting to happen, a beautiful silken waterfall flowing from the snowfields on Mount Rainier – simply stunning. Skyline Trail crosses a footbridge above Myrtle Falls to reach a spur trail that descends to a closer look at the waterfall. Just decide how much time you have and make your way down to the falls. To the right, Golden Gate Trail is more direct, descending just a mile to a reunion with Skyline Trail at Myrtle Falls. Straight ahead, Skyline Trail descends another two miles to Myrtle Falls, passing Sluiskin Falls along the way. Hike another half mile through a pristine mountain landscape covered with streams and wildflowers to a junction with Golden Gate Trail. Skyline Trail loops back down the mountain Eventually, the trail turns downhill, and after just over 3/4 of a mile, reunites with the lower route. If the snow level is high and you aren’t wearing crampons, continue on Upper Skyline Trail, which gains an additional 300 feet, climbing farther up the rocky slope toward Mount Rainier. The Tatoosh Range and Mount Adamsįrom Panorama Point, Lower Skyline Trail drops off a steep snow shelf on a potentially dangerous path that cuts close to half a mile off the hike. Beyond these sawtooth mountains are two of the other great volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains, Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens. Panorama Point doesn’t just have a big view, it has an enormous view, looking south over Paradise toward the Tatoosh Range. The trail may cross several snowfields, which cover this wild landscape for much of the year. The staggering views continue as you turn up a switchback and climb to Panorama Point. On a warm day, you may spot a waterfall flowing out of the glacier, down a cliff, and back into the glacier – all on the slopes of Mount Rainier. Stop and listen to the crackling sound of the moving ice.
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