
Field trip: Mt. Rainier -- A Place of Joy, Reverence, & Humility
Field Trip Mt Rainer - Emmons Moraine Trail
Think geology, glaciers, volcanos, the Little Ice Age, Pleistocene Ice Age, Osceola Mud Flow, and the formation of the Cascades. We will check out moving water, mosses, wildflowers, streams, and the ecology of Mt. Rainier. We will focus on the river, mountains, glaciers, moraine, trees, and whatever we find. This is a Naturalist Hike and will be slow as we identify things and discuss our findings. Before beginning the hike, we will check out White River and, on the way to the moraine. . This trip will take about 4 to 5 hours.
- Thu, Jul 24, 2025
- Seattle Naturalists Committee
- Naturalist
- Adults
- Moderate
- Easy
- Mileage: 4.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 600 ft
- 8 (8 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This trip will be slow-paced and focused on geology, trees, and wildflowers (1 mph on the way up, maybe a little faster on the way down).
We will walk over the the bridge across the White River before we head up the trail toward the Moraine.
We will stop often to look at trees, wildflowers, and to discuss the geology of the area.
Bring a lunch and plenty to drink. We will sit someplace on the moraine for lunch.
One hiking pole can be handy for the walk up onto the moraine. This is a narrow trail, 18 inches to two feet wide. I use my pole as assurance and keep my eyes on my feet.
You MUST have a Timed-Entry Permit from the Park Service to get through the gate. Get one for the 7 AM to 9 AM time slot and be on time.
Meet at 9:30 AM by the White River restrooms and water place (Picnic Tables). The picnic tables are at the west end of the parking lot for the climbers. They are on the south side of the road, along with the campground on the north side of the road.
Be sure to leave time, maybe 30 minutes, to make it through the gate at White River Entrance.
The leader will be camping at White River but will send out information if folks want to organize carpools.
Glacier Basin (Mount Rainier)
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Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX
Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270 - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
Ten Essentials
One hiking pole can be handy for the walk up onto the moraine. This is a narrow trail, 18 inches to two feet wide. I use my pole as assurance and keep my eyes on my feet.
A camera with a landscape lens is excellent. A zoom lens or several lenses will give you compositional options. A tripod might be helpful if you decide to take long exposures. A cable release might be handy.
Bring the ten essentials, plenty of water for the hike, and a hiking pole can be handy. The walk up the moraine is on a narrow path, and I find one hiking pole helpful.
Bring lunch, water, snacks, and, if you don’t want to sit on the dirt, a pad for the ground.