Green Lake (Mount Rainier)

Green Lake in Mount Rainier National Park is a moderate, 10 mile in-and-out day hike with 1,300 ft in elevation gain. You now have to start at the entrance to the park because the Carbon River Road is decommissioned, so there is an added 6 miles of flat to the steeper 4 to-and-from the lake.

This hike is now 10 miles round trip since the Carbon River Road is closed to vehicles at the Park entrance, adding another 3 miles from the Carbon River Entrance of the Park to the trailhead. Still worth the effort. And, you get to see the devastation that the Carbon River can create, most recently in 2006 and 2008. The Carbon River Entrance is at 1750' and the high point on the hike is 3400', yielding a total gain of 1650'. Wonderful old growth forest along destroyed road (one of the very best in the northwest) , Ranger Falls (4 star) and pristine Green Lake are the fine attractions on this trail.

  • Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
  • Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October, November
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 10.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft
  • 3,400 ft
  • Land Manager: Mount Rainier National Park
  • Parking Permit Required: National Park Entrance Fee
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
Map
  • Green Trails Mt Rainier West No. 269
  • USGS Mowich Lake
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Seattle MAC - Conditioning Hike - Green Lake (Mount Rainier)

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
A conditioning hike to help prepare and train for backpack trips, longer backpack trips, glacier
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
Prerequisites
2 participants 0 instructors 2 chaperones
Registration closes Mar 30
Seattle Branch

CHS 2 Hike - Green Lake (Mount Rainier)

Day Hiking Field trip: Conditioning Hiking Series
CHS hike led at a CHS 2 pace (2.0-3.0 mph)
Difficulty: Moderate
Sat, May 13, 2023
No Prerequisites
8 participants
Registration opens Apr 19
Seattle Branch

Day Hike - Green Lake (Mount Rainier)

Day Hiking Trip
**Preference given to Olympia Branch Conditioning Hiking Series participants.** Trip will initially open to Olympia
Difficulty: Moderate
Sun, May 28, 2023
No Prerequisites
11 participants
Registration opens May 24
Olympia Branch

CHS Tacoma July Hikes - Green Lake (Mount Rainier)

Day Hiking Field trip: Conditioning Hiking Series
Trip will initially open to Tacoma Branch Conditioning Hiking Students. Trip will open for registration
Difficulty: Moderate
Wed, Jul 12, 2023
No Prerequisites
7 participants
Registration opens Jun 15
Tacoma Branch
Trip Reports
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