Alpine Scramble - Palisades Peak

Meet at 9am at the White River Ranger Station parking lot.  Mount Rainier pass is needed for driver.

Drive time from North Seattle to White River entrance of Mount Rainier NP is 2 hours.

From entrance, we will regroup at Sunrise Point parking lot, approximately 30 minutes drive from the entrance.

I will reschedule in the event of wet weather.

This trip is so much nicer when it is dry.

Planning on leaving cars at 10am, and returning to cars by 5pm.

Moderate pace.

Hike to Upper Palisades Lake, then scramble up from the backcountry campsites to gain the north ridge.  Traverse the ridge, scrambling over columnar basalt.  Helmets might be desired for the basalt scramble.  A short section of hiking  thru brush possible near the summit (depends on route).  Ascent time (from cars)  is typically 4 hours.

Descend via the west slope of the peak, and back to the trail via Hidden Lake.  Hike down to Hidden Lake is steep, on a abandoned trail.  Some participants might want trekking poles. Descent time (to cars) is typically 3 hours.

One of my favorite areas of Mount Rainier National Park.