r/mountrainierhiking

Visiting the Tipsoo Lakes is a classic stop whether at the start of the season in May or June, wildflower season in July and August, or the fall color and fresh snow in September or October. Whether it's foggy, snowy, or bright sun, looping all three lakes makes for a light-duty and enjoyable adventure.

Those who like to avoid the crowds will spend the most time at Upper Tipsoo and the trails that climb Naches Peak. Once above the lake, face downhill and enjoy views of the lakes, and, if the weather is clear, Yakima Peak, Governors Ridge, the Cowlitz Chimneys, and Mount Rainier. On the other hand, walking the nearly flat trails around both Little and Big Tipsoo Lakes stuns the eyes with the contrast between the lakes and rolling hills that surround them.

Match this short and easy hike with other hikes in the area like: Naches Peak Loop, PCT to Sheep Lake (or the longer Sourdough Gap version), or Union Creek Falls. Or, mix it in with a full loop of Mount Rainer by adding any or all of the following quick stop hikes: Silver Falls, Box Canyon, Martha Falls, Myrtle Falls, Narada Falls, or the Trail of the Shadows. If traveling to Sunrise, this a visit to Tipsoo could be combined with the short hikes to Emmons Moraine, Silver Forest, or even Dege Peak. The opportunities are endless!

Memorial Day can't come soon enough!

Snow is dispersing quickly with the warm temperatures. There wasn't consistent snow until after crossing the Nisqually River Bridge.

I wandered around Paradise from the main parking lot, down to the old parking lot, the up to the inn. Crowds were heavy and temperatures warm (about 60 degrees at 1 p.m.).

I also made stops at Narada Falls, Christine Falls (lower and upper), and Longmire. Summer will be here in no time!

The Lakes Trail is a highlight of the western side of the Mount St. Helens National Monument almost any time of year, but especially when higher trails, like the Boundary Trail, are under snow. The trail starts at the boat launch parking area of the Coldwater developed area, but is easily accessible from the "Birth of a Lake" parking lot as well. The trailhead has a flush bathroom that is usually open and a dock that juts out into Coldwater Lake.

The full distance from the trailhead to the Coldwater Trail junction is a bit over 4.5 miles, but there are plenty of good turn around points for those who don't want to complete the full trek. The net elevation gain is a measly 200 feet, but that number is misleading because the trail makes multiple (probably seven or more) 50-75 foot elevation gains and losses as the trail moves away from the lakeshore and then returns to it in order to avoid rocky cliffs and other lakeside trail blocks.

The first 1.1 miles of the trail are easy going and the trail is in generally good condition. There are muddy spots almost year 'round, but the upper end of the trail is more mud-prone. Take in views of Mt. St. Helens east of Coldwater Lake. This view will disappear after the first 1/2 mile. Also take note of the lovely island that stands tall at the southern end of the lake.

At about .8 mile from the trailhead is a junction. The Elk Bench Trail goes west and across a meadow. After the meadow, the trail turns step and gains 500 feet to access the Coldwater Visitor Center in less than a mile. This is a worthwhile trail to take when the road to the VC is closed. The views from the building's balcony are outstanding. There is also a short nature trail to tour.

Continuing from this junction, the trail goes up and down twice before reaching the first official beach access area, which is also the location of a double privy (bring your own TP, just in case). This is also the last spot for rest benches, which have dotted the trail for the last mile.

Now starts the less-maintained portion of the trail. Basically, the further the trail goes, the less maintained it feels. Plan to go up and down quite a few times along the lake and away from the lake (but never so far you can't make the lake out through the trees), crossing numerous seasonal streams either by bridge or by foot. One of the more challenging crossing is not from the lake access when a significant waterfall tumbles above and below the trail and must be crossed via smooth rocks. Watch your step and don't cross if the water level is beyond your comfort zone.

The ups and downs continue, often through muddy and narrow areas, with ample views both up and down the lake. Attentive ears will notice a significant waterfall on the other side of the lake, which is easily heard but not always seen. As the trail approaches the upper beach access, it crosses a large former slide area that created a large rock field. The trail crosses numerous streams in this area and sometimes may be hard to follow. Stop and regroup if necessary. Generally follow a straight line heading north, staying about the same distance from the lake for the journey across the boulders.

After the rocky area, the trail suddenly ends up in a wide meadow dotted with deciduous trees. Keep a sharp eye on the right side of the trail for a cut through the brushy edge of the lake to the sandy beach. Watch for a tall pole that seems like it should have a sign on it. It is located at the junction. It's now been 3.8 miles since the trailhead.

Enjoy the beach, admiring the mountains to the north, South Coldwater Ridge to the east, and the endless water to the south. This is a good "long" turn around point, but those who have time and energy should continue at least .7 mile further.

First, the trail pulls away from the lake as the trail changes to forest route rather than a lake route. The trail passes a large inlet from the lake that has become a wildlife haven. Check out the beaver lodge in the middle. After the pond, the trail starts to climb at a more moderate rate. It reaches a well-signed junction (at least for north- or east-bound hikers) about 3/4 of a mile from the sandy beach. For good views of the creek, take the Coldwater Trail east, as it drops via a switchback to a sturdy bridge. Look down stream, toward Coldwater Lake. Look upstream and admire the beautiful water tumbling across colorful rocks.

Observant hikers will return to the junction and look upstream and see a beautiful waterfall they may not have noticed originally. If tempted to visit, continue up the trail about 500 feet, and watch for a hard-to-notice boot path on the right, just about even with the waterfall, which can be seen through the brush and trees. The path goes through a gully, across a small seasonal stream, and over a small hump, to the base of the waterfall. If you reach the place where the Lakes Trail drops down into a steep ravine (and up the other side), you are beyond the waterfall.

Spend some time in this area before turning around and heading back to the trailhead. Or, consider a long loop via the Coldwater and South Coldwater Trails (along with a bit of road walking). It might also be worthwhile to continue north and uphill along the Lakes Trail.

A side note: USFS trail signs, map boards, and hiking books have conflicting data on the distances along this trail. The map posted at the trailhead indicates it's 5.2 miles to the Coldwater Trail junction. The sign at the first lakeshore access indicates it's five mile MORE to get to the junction (for a total of 6.1!). One hiking book I have indicates only three miles total from the trailhead to the sandy beach (!). While my Green Trails map might not be 100% accurate, it's definitely matches my impression that it's about 4.5 miles to the Coldwater Junction from the parking area.

Photos from April 4th, 2026

For those looking for a early season hike, the Skookum Flats Trail is ready! On Thursday I did a quick hike from the southern trailhead to the former trail junction about 1/8 mile beyond the Buck Creek crossing. Lots of worthwhile forest and creek views along with a few openings out across the White River. Round trip is a bit over 3 miles with nearly no elevation gain (there are a few short ups and downs along the way, though).

Look back in the "archives" to find a complete description of the route.

The 1/2 mile long Goat Creek Falls Trail is not a destination in itself, but it could be combined with other hikes nearby or as a break along the way between Greenwater and Mount Rainier.

Accessing the trail sounds confusing, but it's not, really. It is advisable to follow printed directions rather than use GPS to prevent swirling around the cabin area getting lost.

From highway 410, find Forest Road 7175 just north of Silver Springs Campground. Go east, passing through a cabin development on a one lane gravel road. The road splits very near 410, and the routes rejoin near the crossing of Silver Creek. Cabins continue to line the road, and an old route that connected this road to the Corral Pass Road is visible on the north side of the road. Continue a bit further to where the road dead ends right behind a cabin. (An old road/ski trail (?) goes sharply uphill to the right of this area, but was blocked on my visit.) The parking area only has room for about four cars, total, which likely including spaces for cabin-bound visitors, so keep that in mind.

A weird part trail lasts for about 1/8 of a mile from the trailhead. Hikers will probably feel like they are walking through people's yards, but the cabins appear to be summer homes, so the owners must be used to it. Watch for a cabin bridge heading across the creek. Don't go that way. Instead, continue on the south side of the creek until arriving at a bridge that must be crossed, just beyond the front door of the "Ward Tyler" cabin. (On my visit the trail boardwalk over the edge of the creek was damaged here. Be careful!)

Once on the other side of the bridge, the cabins end and the truly wild trail begins. Keep in mind that the slope on the north side of the trail was impacted by a recent forest fire. Remnants of fire can be seen in addition to small mud slides due to the fire-related change in topography.

Enjoy the forest canopy, bubbling and rippling creek, and wide trail for the next .4 of a mile. The creek is photogenic in a variety of places in spite of the many fallen trees that have covered the creek.

Goat Creek Falls itself is not particularly spectacular, dropping behind a few giant rocks. The final push to the top is a bit of a scramble, but worthwhile. (I was not able to make it all the way to the top on this visit due to dicey snow covering the trail directly below the falls.) Enjoy the return trip, and, in warm weather, find a good place to soak in the creek, perhaps.

Count this as a mile of hiking, even though it probably didn't feel like much of a hike at all!

Quick addendum: I have labeled this hike in a variety of inconsistent ways. As the sign indicates, this is the Goat Creek Falls Trail. The waterfall is thus named Goat Creek Falls. Unfortunately, there are many Goat Creeks (just in Washington State!), so be sure any information researched is about the Goat Creek (and Goat Creek Falls) in Pierce County, Washington.

Open post to view as a table.

Data from the WSDOT website. (Photo from the summit of the pass, July 25th, 2025.)

Year	Opened	Closed
2025	May 23	Oct. 24
2024	May 31	Oct. 31
2023	May 26	Nov. 10
2022	May 26	Oct. 27
2021	May 28	Nov. 9
2020	June 4	Nov. 12
2019	May 23	Nov. 21
2018	June 11	Nov. 20
2017	June 9	Nov. 7
2016	May 17	Nov. 29
2015	April 2	Nov. 16

According to the Mount Rainier NPS website, the road will only close if adverse conditions exist.

Photo from Longmire on April 6th, 2026.