Album: Naches Peak Loop

Mount Rainier National Park

Traveling clockwise around the loop, the Naches Peak Trail begins from the Tipsoo Lake parking lot and climbs briefly to Chinook Pass, joining the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) just before crossing the historic footbridge over SR 410 at the pass. Entering US Forest Service land, the route utilizes the PCT as it traverses the northeast side of Naches Peak with views of high mountain ponds, subalpine forest, and peaks to the north. At a junction, the PCT continues down to Dewey Lake while the loop trail goes back to Tipsoo Lake, reentering Mount Rainier National Park and continues westward along the drier southern slopes of Naches Peak. Along this section, Mount Rainier dominates the western horizon. The final section of the loop descends the western ridge of Naches Peak, crosses SR 410, and returns via the shores of Tipsoo Lake.