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Naturalist Trip - Palisades Lakes & Brown Peak

Trip

Naturalist Trip - Palisades Lakes & Brown Peak

Open to all members. This hike has a variety of wildflowers and habitats (forests, open meadows, several lakes). Brown Peak is steep but can be reached with a good use trail. Opportunity to cool your feet in the waters of a lake. Before deciding to register, read Leader’s Notes right down to the last bullet. Register only if physically conditioned for the distance and elevation gain AT THIS ALTITUDE (6000').

Contacts

Roseanne Lorenzana
Roseanne Lorenzana
Primary Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 9.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 6,322 ft
  • Pace: 1.5-2.0 mph avg moving pace plus many pauses for flora/fauna identification
  • 2 (6 capacity)
  • FULL (2 capacity)
  • Sat, Jul 15, 2023 at 6:00 PM
  • Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 5:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google
  • GOALS  a) be safe during the trip; b) enjoy flowers/views; c) learn something new; d) reach Upper Palisades Lake no later than 12:30pm (distance ~5mi);  e) return safely to the trailhead
  • As a Naturalist trip, you may feel there’s not enough time with the flowers and that the distance is long. As a hiking trip, you may feel frustrated with all the pauses. As a participant, you may want to go faster and feel frustrated with the requirement to keep all participants within view of one another.  Only register if you can comply, be happy with all of these feelings and meet all the goals of this trip.
  • The group will stay together in a way that the lead person can make visual contact with the sweep person.
  • Register only if physically conditioned for the distance and elevation gain at this altitude (6000'). Even though the distance/gain fit the "moderate" definition, the altitude and warm temperatures may make this strenuous for some. If you can't keep up or have to turn around, the entire group has to end the trip and return to the trailhead. Hence, your choice impacts the entire group.
  • At the end of the hike, the last 3/4 mile requires going  up  500' ↑ to reach the parking lot at 6120' elevation - be sure you are in physical condition for this trail 😅
  • There will be pauses at 4 lakes (Sunrise, Hidden, Clover & Upper Palisades), as well as pauses in the forest and meadows to identify the various flora and fauna.
  • Plus an extended stop at Upper Palisades (for lunch and feet dipping) and climb to Brown Peak.
  • NOTE: trip is closing earlier than usual to give adequate notice to those on the wait list, if any.
  • 7:30am & ready to hike @ the Sunrise Point parking lot on the way up to the Sunrise Visitors Center at Mount Rainier.
  • No restroom facilities at trailhead, so plan accordingly. Closest toilets are 3 miles to the east at the Sunrise Visitor Center.
  • National Park pass or equivalent pass is required for each vehicle.
  • Hello Hiker message beforehand will help with carpooling arrangements.
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

  • Navigation
  • Headlamp
  • Sun protection
  • First aid
  • Knife
  • Fire
  • Shelter
  • Extra food
  • Extra water
  • Extra clothes
Trip Reports