Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
| Length: | 9 miles |
| Hiking Time: | 6-7 hours |
| Elevation Gain: | 1100 ft |
| Highest Point: | 5600 ft |
| Location: | Trailhead: N 46° 59' 48", W 121° 38' 30" Lake Eleanor: N 46° 59' 24", W 121° 39' 18" Giant Meadow: N 46° 57' 59", W 121° 40' 32" |
| Visitor’s Information: | Northwest Forest Pass Required |
| Snow Free: |
Late-May - Late-October |
| Features: | Meadows, Mountain views, Wildlife, Wildflowers |
Pictures and the video below will take you on a virtual hiking tour! Enjoy views of beautiful Lake Eleanor and Mount Rainier!
General Information:
Grand Park offers the most iconic views of its’ meadows and gorgeous Mount Rainier. There are several ways you can get into the park: the traditional that starts from Sunrise and the unofficial via Lake Eleanor. The traditional approach to the park is tough and long; so many hikers just prefer taking a backdoor route.
This unofficial trail has been a boot trail. It was created by fishermen who were looking for quick access to Lake Eleanor. Today this trail is used by a great number of hikers and is considered to be in a good condition.
The trail runs southwest and enters beautiful, cool mixed forest and goes upward towards Lake Eleanor. Within 0.5 mile, the trail enters Mt. Rainier National Park and in a mile hikers will enjoy the calmness of the lake.
Lake Eleanor is a 20-acre alpine lake and the creek were named by Burgon D. Mesler in honor of his wife Eleanor. This family lived in this area, and were owners of a small hotel which usually was used by travelers who headed over the Cascades or just visited this beautiful park.
There are several campsites around the lake that can serve a perfect place for a snack.
From the lake, the trail goes upward again through the forest and at about 1.5 miles it crosses picturesque meadows. Here hikers recommend watching for deer and elk. Continue hiking the trail that runs through the forest for the next mile and then enters meadows full of flowers.
At about 3.5 miles out the trail will offer hikers first picturesque views of Mount Rainier. This is the best place to take pictures and enjoy the views.
At 4.5 miles out hikers come up to a junction where they can turn back. Spring and summer are the best seasons for visiting this park as meadows are filled with wildflowers and grassland.
If you haven’t been to Grand Park yet, add this trail to your wish list of hikes, it is worth while visiting!
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Grand Park Hike 1
Grand Park Hike 1
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Grand Park Hike 2
Grand Park Hike 2
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Grand Park Hike 3
Grand Park Hike 3
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Grand Park Hike 4
Grand Park Hike 4
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Grand Park Hike 5
Grand Park Hike 5
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Grand Park Hike 6
Grand Park Hike 6
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Grand Park Hike 7
Grand Park Hike 7
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Grand Park Hike 8
Grand Park Hike 8
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://beautifulwashington.com/mount-rainier/hiking/sunrise/180-grand-park-hike.html#sigProId4a5c0477d7
https://beautifulwashington.com/mount-rainier/hiking/sunrise/180-grand-park-hike.html#sigProId4a5c0477d7
These pictures were taken on August 22, 2013
Directions:
From I-5:
Take I-5 south to Highway 18. Take Exit 142A. Continue on Highway 18 into Auburn. Take Exit SR 164. Continue going left on SR 164 to SR 410. Continue going left onto SR 410 for about 25 miles to Huckleberry Creek Road (FR 73). Turn right and continue along FR 73. In 6 miles cross Huckleberry Creek bridge and follow FR 73 to the bridge that crosses Eleanor Creek. Remember, there is no official trailhead here.
Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Pavlo Petryshyn
Information: Marina Petrova
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