Day Hike - Aurora Peak

South Renton Park & Ride at 6:30am.

(This trip was originally scheduled for August 5 but was rescheduled due to smoke.)

This is a day hike (bike + hike) to Aurora Peak only. It includes 5.6 miles of hiking and 15.1 miles of biking.

Of the 15 highest hikeable peaks in Rainier NP, Aurora Peak is the most remote. The route consists of a 7.5 mile bike ride along the closed section of the Westside Road followed by a short but steep hike of  2.6 miles  and 2600' of gain. 

 The full stats (from CalTopo) are:

• Bike from Westside Road closure to trailhead: 15.1 miles RT, 1580' gain, 775' loss.
• Hike from Trailhead to Summit: 5.6 miles RT, 2550' gain, 240' loss. 

The pace will be moderate, but the total distance and elevation gain make this a strenuous trip overall. After summiting we will stop to pump water at Aurora Lake (just below the summit) to refill for the trip out.

 Regarding the bikes: 

• A mountain bike or hybrid (with robust tires) is required. Road bikes are not suitable. The Westside road is a decommissioned road that is now a trail. Though the surface is good almost everywhere, it is not paved.
• Helmets are required for the biking portion of the trip. Either a bike helmet or climbing/scramble helmet will do.
• We will stash our bikes at the trailhead and do our best to protect and secure them with cable locks and a tarp.  Please be OK with leaving your bikes unattended in this way.
• The trip leader has a vehicle and roof rack that can carry four people and their gear and bikes.  We should be able to find room for two more bikes from among the other participants.  If you have a bike rack and and drive, please do!
• Please bring a patch kit and frame pump.
• Participants are expected to have a basic proficiency with their bikes, and to have bikes that are functional and reliable.

At 6,094 ft, Aurora Peak is on the list of 100 highest peaks in Rainier NP and is one of only fifteen non-technical peaks on the list that can be summited as day hikes.  Aurora Peak counts towards the 15 Hiking Peaks in Mount Rainier NP and 100 Peaks in Mountain Rainier NP.

Members only please.