Trip Report
Beginner Snowshoe - Alta Vista Loop
A trip conducted between atmospheric river events. Experienced Paradise in a way I've never seen it before. Late spring conditions in mid December.
Mike McIntosh
- Sun, Dec 14, 2025
- Beginner Snowshoe - Alta Vista Loop
- Paradise
- Snowshoeing
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Though this trip took place on 12-14-2025 snow conditions were extremely low. The bare pavement of the summer trails was visible in multiple places. Snowshoeing conditions were very good higher up. A few hundred feet above paradise there were firm snowshoe trials and the floatation was helpful to avoid deep post-holing, signs of which could be seen in and around the trail.
Paradise gate opened at 9:00. There were very few people in the park. Weather conditions were acceptable. We began traveling the trails of the Paradise area around 10:00 in warm winds, above freezing temperatures, and intermittent cloud cover. Mt. Rainier, always impressive when viewed from the Paradise area, snuck in and out of view, making for interesting pictures and small bits of delight as it vanished and re-appeared. Though the forecast predicted rain showers, we did not encounter them. The only other people we saw were two park rangers on patrol and a group of Tacoma Mountain Rescue team members practicing avalanche beacon skills. To have Paradise to ourselves like this was an extraordinary treat, not often experienced at any time, much less on a weekend.