Skyline Loop - 5.8 Miles Round-Trip

Subalpine parklands ring Mount Rainier from 5,000' - 7,000', covering about 23% of the Park. This specialized ecosystem is characterized by herbaceous meadows and small 'tree islands' that experience long, harsh winters and short summer growing seasons that can trigger spectacular all-at-once blooms. The Paradise area averages 643" (53.6') of snow per year, making it one of the snowiest places on earth - literally.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier can be divided into two groups, which are largely determined by snow depth and duration. The North Pacific Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland and Heath group are dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as mountain heather and huckleberry, which favor acidic soils.

The Northern Rocky Mountain-Vancouverian Subalpine Montane Mesic Herbaceous Meadow Group is comprised of three sub-groups: 1) Herbaceous meadows of Sitka valerian, lupine and showy sedge. 2) Low herbaceous dominated by black sedge and cinquefoil. 3) Well drained, dry sites (primarily in the east) of dry grasslands of fescue and lupine (Henderson 1974; Franklin et al. 1988).

Paradise exemplifies the subalpine meadow and parkland ecosystem at Mount Rainier These aptly named meadows hold what many consider to be the Park's most impressive and extensive wildflower displays. A network of short, interconnecting trails provides numerous routing options through the meadows and to various attractions.

The Skyline Loop is the longest trail in Paradise, circling the meadows with access to Panorama Point, Muir Snowfield and Paradise Glacier. This description begins at the Paradise Visitor Center and travels clockwise on the loop.

Follow signs for Alta Vista and bear left on the Skyline Trail (.33 miles). A steep, paved path rises through flower and heather-covered meadows with spurs for Dead Horse Creek and Glacier Vista (.6 miles : 5,770').

These side trails offer great views of Nisqually Glacier, the Nisqually Icefall and Nisqually River valley. The main trail continues higher with panoramic views that reach across the Tatoosh Range to Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount St Helens.

It curls up a steep wall to the split for High Skyline, Pebble Creek and Muir Snowfield (2.3 miles : 6,955'). This point straddles the alpine transition zone, where vegetation is scarce and travel more rugged leading to the upper mountain. 

Take the High Skyline Trail, which rises then levels across the loop's highest points with expansive views over the entire Paradise area. It drops steeply back into the subalpine with views over a contrastingly stark landscape to the east.

The Paradise - Stevens Glacier covered this area until only recently; it has lost about 50% of its area since 1896 and separated into distinct lobes higher up the valley. The rocky expanse left in its place offers a rare glimpse at a glacial bed.

The trail drops through lush meadows to the Golden Gate Trail split (3.4 miles : 6,425'), and dips across a damp stream channel to Sluiskin Falls and the Paradise Glacier Trail split (4.0 miles : 6,060'). The Golden Gate Trail will shorten the loop if pressed for time.

The Skyline Trail continues south and down past connections for Lakes Trail, 4th Crossing Trail and the second connection for Golden Gate just above Myrtle Falls (5.4 miles : 5,560'). It crosses the falls and rises back through open slopes to Paradise Visitor Center to complete the loop (5.8 miles : 5,420').