How Hard is Pinnacle Peak Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park?
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Looking for another hike in Mt. Rainier National Park that offers stunning views without the crowd? On our second day inside the park, we hiked Pinnacle Peak Trail and fell in love with it.
This is a shorter hike that includes a rock scramble to the summit if that’s something that interests you. The trail is harder to follow once you get closer to the peak but it’s well worth it!
Even if you don’t want to rock scramble, there are plenty of photo opportunities along the trail that don’t require a lot of hard work to reach.
If you don’t intend to do the rock scramble section, the highest elevation grade will be around 25%. This hike is three miles long and there are multiple opportunities to stop and take a breather.
The Pinnacle Peak Trail might seem difficult, but I’ll give you all the details you need to know to make this a fantastic experience.
Is Pinnacle Peak Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park for Beginners?
Hiking to Pinnacle Peak in Washington is not for beginners, especially if you’re wanting to reach the peak via rock scramble.
The main trail is well-maintained, but be prepared to get on all fours sometime during the scramble.
Is the Peak Worth It?
If you aren’t afraid of heights and are looking for an adventure, then you’ll love this section of the Pinnacle Peak Trail!
I’m not sure what I’d rank the rock scramble myself but some people online call it a “soft” class 4 or a class 3 rock scramble.
With that being said, no major equipment is necessary but making sure you have a good pair of boots is a must.
⚠️ Note: This is not the Pinnacle Peak hike in Arizona. If you’re looking for that, click here.
Pinnacle Peak Trail Hike Details in Mt. Rainier National Park
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Mt. Rainier National Park, WA |
| 🥾 Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult |
| 📏 Distance | ~3 miles round trip (AllTrails.com) |
| ⛰️ Elevation Gain | ~1,500 ft (457 meters) |
| ⏳ Hike Duration | 2-3 hours |
| 🚗 Parking | Limited parking at Reflection Lakes parking area |
| 🐕 Pet-Friendly? | ❌ No (pets prohibited on NP trails) |
| 💲 Entry Fee | Mt. Rainier NP entrance fee required ($30/car, valid 7 days) |
| 🌤️ Best Season | July to October |
| 📸 Best For | Panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, photography, wildflowers |
| 🚻 Facilities | Restrooms available at nearby Reflection Lake or Paradise Visitor Center |
| ⛺ Camping | No camping directly on trail; nearby campgrounds within park |
| 📱 Cell Service | Limited to none |
My Experience Hiking on Pinnacle Peak Trail in Washington
While hiking on Pinnacle Peak trail doesn’t offer as many stunning views as Skyline Loop, the views it does offer are very unique.
There weren’t many people on the trail; in fact, we saw just one other couple when we got to the saddle.
Everyone goes to the same parks and does the same hikes. I think it’s nice to do hikes that are a little more under the radar, if you will.
Parking at Reflection Lake
When driving to the trailhead for Pinnacle Peak Trail, we took Paradise Valley Road and then took a right on Steven Canyon Road until we reached Reflection Lake.
Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t see the reflection of Mt. Rainier on the lake but maybe it was bad timing. At least, that’s what we kept telling ourselves.
There’s a little trail here called ‘Wonderland Trail’ that connects Reflection Lake with the popular campsites at Cougar Campground.
When we arrived at the lake, we realized that there weren’t many parking spots but we found one on the side of the road, crossed the street, and started our hike up the mountainside.
Breathtaking Views of Mt. Rainier to the Pinnacle Saddle
As we continued on the trail that was hard dirt, we stumbled upon an amazing view of Mt. Rainier. She was piercing from the sky between a stoppage in the tree line.
Shortly afterwards, the trail started to become more gravel-based, consisting of smaller rocks broken up.
Once the trees opened up, we were greeted by one of the best views of Mt. Rainier in the park. The mountain felt so much closer than it was.
The trail only went for about 1.2 miles until we reached the saddle. We felt the elevation gain but it wasn’t too intense. Just a consistent 15-25% grade.
Reaching the Peak
As we reached the Pinnacle Saddle, we were blown away by the view of the mountain range behind Pinnacle Peak itself. This area of Washington is truly something special.
The marked trail stops here and you can decide if you want to keep going or not. The views, I think, are worth it enough from this point that you don’t have to try to climb the peak but we attempted it.
We got lost on multiple occasions, but we weren’t that lost. Ultimately, we didn’t make it to the very top but we got close. I don’t like admitting defeat, so I’ll be back to see this one through again.
Even without reaching the peak, we were still rewarded by the views around us.
Things to Know Before Hiking Pinnacle Peak Trail in Mt. Rainier
Hiking this trail might seem straightforward but it’s always good to know everything. Let me break it down for you.
What Passes Do You Need?
Entering Mt. Rainier, you will need to have a national park pass. You can purchase one at the park if you don’t have one already or you can purchase one online here.
I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass as it’s one of the best deals around!
- Standard Pass: $15 – $30
- Annual Pass: $50
- America the Beautiful Pass: $80
Is it Difficult?
Pinnacle Peak Trail is much shorter and easier than other hikes in Washington, such as hiking to Lake Colchuck or Lake Serene. But also at the same time, those hikes don’t have a true rock scramble like the one to Pinnacle.
If you don’t plan on doing the rock scramble to the peak, then I’d consider this a moderate hike overall. When you venture past the saddle and upwards towards the peak, is when the Pinnacle Peak trail starts to become increasingly more difficult.
Pinnacle Glacier Tarn
If you’re looking for an even bigger adventure (and unique photos), you can try visiting the Pinnacle Glacier Tarn.
The best photo will be above the Pinnacle Glacier with Mt. Rainier piercing through. I haven’t hiked this part of the area but it’s something I might have to do in the future.
If you’re interested in the route, you can find that here.
Other Hikes to Pair with it in Mt. Rainier National Park
If you’re staying near Mt. Rainier National Park and are planning on doing multiple hikes, then you’re in luck! This park has plenty of them.
What Gear is Needed?
If this is just a day trip for you, then you’ll want to bring your typical day hiking gear on the Pinnacle Peak Trail.
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sun screen, etc.
- Hiking Boots: Keen hiking boots are one of my favorite and most trusted brands
- Osprey Daypack: There are so many daypacks on the market today and you can’t ever go wrong with an Osprey.
- Atheltic Shirt
- Shorts/Hiking Pants
- Hiking Poles: These might not be 100% necessary but they are always good to have
Can You Camp Here?
You can’t camp along the trails in Mt. Rainier National Park but there are campgrounds close to some trails that you can pitch a tent at.
You’ll need to reserve a spot before showing up and you can do that on their website.
Some spots might be pricey but I highly suggest doing this as you can fit it so much more in your itinerary.
Best Time to Hike in Mt. Rainier
The summer months will typically be the best time to hike in Mt. Rainier National Park and also for hiking on Pinnacle Peak Trail.
For the best chance of having a sunny day in the park, you’ll want to visit from May to September.
If you venture here during the winter months, you’ll need to bring different gear and some roads are closed during the winter in the park.
On top of that, you’ll need to be an experienced hiker in these conditions.
FAQs
Can You See Mt. Rainier from Pinnacle Peak Trail?
Yes, you can see Mt. Rainier along the Pinnacle Peak Trail. I think the views when walking back down to the trailhead are some of the best in the entire park.
It truly is breathtaking to see.
Are Dogs Allowed on Pinnacle Peak Trail in Mt. Rainier?
Dogs are not allowed on the Pinnacle Peak Trail. It doesn’t matter if they are on a leash or not.
Different parks allow different things and its a good idea to look up if they are allowed before visiting.
Best Places to Stay in Seattle
Seattle is a great home base for a lot of hikes in Washington. I suggest staying for a few days here and doing some closer day hikes before venturing out to explore more of Washington.
- CitizenM: These hotels are gaining popularity from their simplistic look but they also have everything you need!
- Courtyard by Seatac: Looking for a hotel near the airport? This is your best bet!
- Silver Cloud Hotel: One of the highest-rated hotels in Seattle and for good reason!
Final Thoughts
Pinnacle Peak would be one of the trails I’d go back and hike if I were visiting the park again. I loved that there weren’t many people on the trail and also how adventurous it was. The pictures at the Pinnacle Glacier Tarn at sunset look stunning and that could also be something I’d be interested in trying in the future.
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