Trip Report
Basic Backpack - Grand Park & Lake Eleanor
Lazy evenings can coexist with a bit of frost overnight when you backpack in August. Check out these "ready for anything" new backpackers with Tacoma branch.
Lisa Elliott
- Wed, Aug 20, 2025 — Fri, Aug 22, 2025
- Basic Backpack - Grand Park & Lake Eleanor
- Northern Loop (Mount Rainier)
- Backpacking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Lazy days of summer can coexist with a bit of frost overnight at Berkeley Park. This slight dip in the temps didn't keep us from enjoying this out and back backpack to Lake Eleanor.
Using Reservation.gov and after the Fairfax Bridge closure I had to make this one of last minute alternate plans in our basic backpacking course through The Tacoma Mountaineers.
PARKING: At Sunrise for the next few days was really nice since their day time reservation is in effect.
MEADOWS: Please remember it takes years from wildflowers to grow, stay out of the meadows. Leave No Trace even if it means sacrificing the good shot.
TRIP: Day #1 Sunrise to Mt Fremont Lookout-Berkley Park Group Camp. 6.11 miles +2001/-1209. We started our day at Sunrise and headed to Mt. Fremont Fire Lookout. Mt. Fremont has a fabulous view of Rainier and the northern border of the park on the Northern Loop Trail. After lunch at Fremont, we headed down through lingering wildflowers and playful pikas and marmots next to Lido Creek. Being much quieter here, bears and wildlife are often seen through this area. We made camp at Berkeley Park Group site around 3 pm, had dinner, played a Q&A game and settled in for the evening.
Day #2 Berkley Park to Grand Park-Lake Eleanor Group Camp. 6.2 miles +816/-1404. We began our day around 6:00 am, had breakfast, broke camp and continued on the Northern Loop Trail. This is a shorter day which with took in a grand view of Rainier across the White River from high on ridge. Next, we'll headed through lovely Grand Park, known for elk and more wildlife. We made camp at Lake Eleanor Group site around 3 pm giving us time to enjoy the water and beach, take a break to get water, had dinner and a leisurely evening.
Day #3 Lake Eleanor to Sunrise. 10 miles +2400/-1100. We rose around 6 am, had breakfast, broke camp and make our way back through Grand Park and back to Sunrise. The highlight was seeing a rather large goat herd trying to pass through our trail.
24 miles, 4633+ elevation gain