Comet Falls Trip Report – 5/29/18

Comet Falls is currently not advised for most casual day-hikers. There are still significant amounts of snow covering the entire 2nd mile of the ascent, and major portions of this are on steep hillsides with the river below. Having experience with snow, my hiking partner and I proceeded cautiously beyond these obstacles with a combination of sturdy hiking boots and micro-spikes for extra grip/traction.

There are a few spots where large trees lie directly in your path, and also bits along the snow where the upper shelves are thinning and hollow drops are caved out to several feet over small boulders beneath. Essentially, a weak surface in some areas where it’s not entirely obvious or foreseeable.

We did press on to the base of the falls, where the snow-bridge was still intact but seemed to be rapidly thinning. My guess is the trail will reveal itself in the coming weeks, but currently there are still several feet of snow covering the typical dried-out trail.

This hike was a great time, and we had a lot of fun, but I can’t say that I would recommend this until the snow melts when there are no precarious or questionable conditions/obstacles. All hikers we met along the trail had turned around in early stages of snow, with a mixture of elderly and adults with children.

Mt Rainier Area Hikes for Pets – Sawtooth Area

Osborne Mountain Trail #250, 5.5 Miles

This trail begins in Big Creek Campground (Road 5200.029) and climbs steeply through a moderately dense forest. The trail passes through a harvest area and climbs to the south side of Osborne Mountain. The trail is cut by a switchback from Road 8410 (at mile 4). Continuing southeast, the trail skirts a timber harvest area and ends on Teeley Creek Trail #251 near Pothole Lake (Lower Bertha May Lake). Features include Osborne Mountain, views of Mt. Rainier, the Nisqually River Valley, and Pothole Lake. Elevation ranges from 1800 to 4680 feet above sea level.
*A Northwest Forest Pass is required for this trail. This pass can be purchased from Ashford Valley Grocery, located on SR 706 in Ashford.

Teeley Creek Trail #251, 4.3 Miles

The Teeley Creek Trail begins on Road 8410. It descends through a dense conifer forest to Pothole Lake (Lower Bertha May Lake). The trail skirts the lake, then meets with Osborne Mountain Trail #250, turns south and climbs steeply to Upper Bertha May Lake. Continuing east, it passes Granite Lake and follows the base of Sawtooth Ridge and High Rock, ending on Big Creek Trail #252 near Cora Lake. Elevation ranges from 3640 to 4500 feet above sea level.

Big Creek Trail #252, 2.4 Miles

The Big Creek Trail begins on Road 8420 and climbs steeply to Big Creek and Cora Falls before reaching Cora Lake. Skirting the lake, it passes a junction with Teeley Creek Trail #251, enters a dense forest and climbs to its terminus on Road 8440. Features include Cora Falls, Cora Lake and High Rock. Elevation ranges from 3400 to 4640 feet above sea level.

Greenwood Lake Trail #253, 3 Miles

The Greenwood Lake Trail is shown on maps, but is not currently being maintained. The trail is difficult to follow. Check with the Packwood District for current information. Elevation ranges from 4000 to 4750 feet above sea level.
*A Northwest Forest Pass is required for this trail. This pass can be purchased from Ashford Valley Grocery, located on SR 706 in Ashford.

Cave Creek Trail #255, .5 Miles

This is a short access trail from Road 8510 to Osborne Mountain Trail #250. Elevation ranges from 3680to 3840 feet.

Silver Creek Trail #258, 4.5 Miles

Located near Bear Prairie, the Silver Creek Trail begins on Road 5240.015 and proceeds generally southwest on an easy grade through an old-growth forest until ending on Road 84. This trail is cut by road crossings with Road 5222.016, within the first section of the trail. Bear Prairie is a meadow at the headwaters of Skate Creek. Elevation ranges from 2880 to 4080 feet above sea level.
*A Northwest Forest Pass is required for this trail. This pass can be purchased from Ashford Valley Grocery, located on SR 706 in Ashford.

High Rock Trail #266, 1.6 Miles

This trail takes hikers up to High Rock Lookout, one of three fire lookouts remaining on the Gifford Pinchot NF. The trail begins on Road 8440 and climbs steeply through increasingly sparse conifers to High Rock Lookout. High Rock is a prominent 5,685 feet high peak on Sawtooth Ridge with a sheer 600 foot drop on its north face. Please use caution when exploring this area. Stay behind the cables. The lookout offers incredible views of the Sawtooth Ridge, Mt. Rainier and much of the surrounding landscape. Trailhead: High Rock – Trailhead is at the intersection of FR 8440 and the southern end of High Rock Trail No. 266. Elevation ranges from 4320 to 5685 feet above sea level.
*A Northwest Forest Pass is required for this trail. This pass can be purchased from Ashford Valley Grocery, located on SR 706 in Ashford.

Allen Mountain Trail #269, 4 Miles

Formerly Skate Mountain Trail, this lightly used trail begins on Road 8460 and climbs 2.5 miles to the top of Allen Mountain. Here it enters the open, subalpine landscape and follows the Ridge to its junction with Greenwood Lake Trail #253. Elevation ranges from 4240 to 4720 feet above sea level.
*A Northwest Forest Pass is required for this trail. This pass can be purchased from Ashford Valley Grocery, located on SR 706 in Ashford.

Bench and Snow Lakes Trail

Wide open views of the mountain offer themselves on the east side of the ridge.

Flowers and huckleberries adorn the path.

Hiking along the ridge, there are plenty of beautiful flowers and small meadows to enjoy. On a clear day, the SE side of Mt. Rainier would be visible to the right of this photo.

A lovely boardwalk near the end of the trail allows hikers to walk through the marshy lowland, enjoying the vibrant green of the Devil’s Club and Skunk Cabbage.

The falls cascade onto a curving rock that has been shaped by thousands of years of pummeling water.

The first glimpse of the falls. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of the falls in a photo, but look hard, and you can see people behind the falls for a reference.

The first great view of the mountain, taken about 10 feet off the trail after .75 miles along the ridge.

The view of the falls from behind, in the cavernous enclave that give Cathedral Falls its name. Note the family in the foreground for scale.

Below the falls, the creek carries onwards. The unnamed creek joins Goat Creek less than a mile down from the falls.

Take a look at the falls in comparison to the Western Red Cedar that grow to either side.

Hiking along the ridge, there are plenty of beautiful flowers and small meadows to enjoy.

The Rampart Ridge Trail joins the Wonderland Trail for 1.8 miles as you return towards Longmire.

Clovers provide vibrance and flowers along the trail.

A view from just above Wauhaukaupauken Falls and right near the designated backcountry camping area.

Walking a bit past the falls allows hikers to enjoy old-growth trees and mini-waterfalls to delight and inspire.

This early season hike is a personal favorite, with such variety it keeps you interested and engaged throughout. It’s slightly lower elevation and sun exposure gives this trail the advantage of opening earlier in the season, as well as one of the first higher elevation hikes for wildflowers! You never know what you’re going to see on this hike, from well hidden frogs to a black bear in the meadow; it’s a great hike for families!

Bench and Snow Lakes trail head is located on the Stevens Canyon road. From Paradise it is on your right, 1.5 miles past Reflection Lake. Considered a moderate difficulty trail, this 2.5 mile round trip (out and back) crosses a series of ridges, with ups and downs throughout, gaining 700’ in elevation. Give yourself about 2 hours to complete.

From the trailhead you start with a view of Mt Rainier to the north, and you follow the trail through rich green foliage among the wildflowers and trees. The trail takes you to a meadow nestled up to the Tatoosh Range, the meadow attracts a variety of wildlife, marmots, deer, and even bears are sometimes spotted from the trail. I was lucky enough to see a bear during my hike! It surveyed us from the bushes before deciding to crash off into the brush. (Black bears at Mt Rainier information here). The hike rises and falls, sometimes a dirt path, then a rocky surface, crossing simple logs over Unicorn Creek (where we were surprised by a well-camouflaged frog keeping cool!), and stunning viewpoints of Mt Rainier.

After .75 miles the trail forks. If you follow the trail to left it will take you down to Bench Lake. Keep to the right and you will reach Snow Lake after .5 miles. Veer to the east and the trail will take you to the Snow Lake backcountry camp. If you stay right, the lake will be right over the next crest, with nice flat rocks to rest and look up at Unicorn Peak on the Tatoosh Range. Take some time to relax, enjoy the quiet scenery, and watch little fish darting around in the lake.

If you’re hiking in the summer months bring bug spray, as the lake and shade can get a bit buggy. This is also a good hike on those days when the mountain is hiding behind clouds, there’s still plenty to see!

Mt. Rainier Visitor Association Blog

Sharing the beauty and information about Mt. Rainier and the lovely Nisqually Valley area with visitors from around the world.