Trip Report
Lost Trails of Rainier - Emerald Ridge Loop
What happens when you start on trail and then are routed off and blocked by blowdowns over and over again. Do you... 1. Boulder hop over giant body sized boulders in the creek that would exhaust a gymnast. 2. Scoot down pitchy blowdowns. 3. Hang on to the side of slope when the trail has disappeared. 4. Turn Around. This is an adventure to find a lost trail where the past is met with the latest route finding skills.
Lisa Elliott
- Sun, Jun 29, 2025
- Day Hike - Emerald Ridge Loop
- Emerald Ridge, Klapatche Park & Gobblers Knob
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Location- Tahoma Creek Trail- Westside Road Mt Rainier National Park Access-Westside Road
There once was a way to get to the Wonderland Trail up the side of Tahoma Creek making a fast and easier way to the Tahoma Suspension Bridge. To the east was Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. To the west Emerald Ridge.
Once known as the Tahoma Creek Trail, what starts at the Westside Road now ends about 1 mile in on the latest version of most maps. I remember using this trail often as a young adult and eventually living a great portion of my adult life in Eatonville, this trail was one of the smarter things I kept in daypack of hiking tricks.
Dotted along the Westside Road of the Nisqually entrance we could drive up and access, South Puyallup Trail, Lake George, Gobblers Knob, Emerald Ridge, St Andrews Trail, Klapatche Park, and North Puyallup. Beyond North Puyallup you walked.
Seeing these places as a kid, created my obsession with the Wonderland Trail as an adult.
If you like navigation, route finding, large boulder climbing (hopping if your legs are long enough) and navigating through huge downed timber, then this is your hike. While Emerald Ridge to South Puyallup Camp and trail to Westside Road melting out nicely this loop has all the above plus the views.
Take the Westside Rd up to an unmaintained trailhead, trail sign says "hazardous trail closed" but we were told it was passable by the park rangers the day prior.
Next, follow the Tahoma Creek approximately 1 mile over the rock bed. Continue on the trail over blow downs, stumps, then pop back out to the creek again for large boulder balancing until rejoining the former intact what's left trail. Trail sections beyond this have the need for all fours at times up and over stumps after this.
Can you find me in this boulder field
Once through all the washouts and downed timber delays, continue on the old trail until the Wonderland junction. We visited the Tahoma Suspension Bridge (bridge deck has about 6 missing boards and one spot with 2 missing boards (quite a hole).
Emerald Ridge was breathtaking with upclose views of the Tahoma and Puyallup glaciers. Rocky trail footing made for slow going down until So Puyallup Camp.
The greatest reflection of the day was, "If you didn't like the way you came up, you won't have to worry about seeing it again."
The loop was close to 14.5 miles and 3200' gain. The snow is visible on just a few spots at 5200' and hidden under the trees at 4900'.
***Thanks to the MORA staff who cut through a number of blowdowns and who continue to use the route as they do the work every year as the trail slowly makes its way to the ocean using the Tahoma and Nisqually.
Always a lovely day at my favorite national park with The Mountaineers and a great group to share this adventure with.