Palisades Lakes

Trip

Day Hike - Hidden Lake (Mount Rainier)

Explore the most beautiful alpine scenery in Mount Rainier National Park, passing picturesque Sunrise and Clover lakes enroute to magnificent Hidden Lake, a true hidden gem, where we have our lunch and a swim, weather permitting, returning via the same route.

  • Easy/Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 6.5 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,100 ft
  • Pace: 2.0 mph

Meet at 8 AM at the Enumclaw Ranger Station, 450 Roosevelt Ave (SR 410), Enumclaw.

We can consolidate cars at the Enumclaw Ranger Station.  No parking pass is required there.  From there we will caravan east on SR 410, turning right on the White River Road to Sunrise, stopping at the White River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park to show one National Park Pass for each car.  Just past the entrance gate we will stop again at the parking lot on the right side of the road to use the restrooms there, since there are no restrooms at the trailhead.  Then we will drive to the Sunrise Point parking lot, where the trailhead for our hike is located.

The hiking route is in good condition, but undulating, starting down, going over some ridges and up a switchbacked ridge at the end to reach Hidden Lake, at a lower elevation than where we started.  Enroute we will pass beautiful Sunrise and Clover lakes and flowered alpine meadows.  The hiking route is mostly in the open, so sun protection will be important.  There are no restroom facilities on the hiking route, but bathroom breaks can be taken as needed at secluded parts of the trail.29We will return to the cars by the same route we hiked in.

Following the hike, there will be an optional ice cream stop at popular Wapiti Woolies in Greenwater. 

Route/Place

Palisades Lakes



  • Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270

    USGS Mt Rainier East

    Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  1. Navigation
  2. Sun protection
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination
  5. First aid supplies
  6. Fire
  7. Repair kit and tools, including knife
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter
Trip Reports