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Bench and Snow Lakes Trail

Panorama Point via Skyline and Golden Gate Trail

Parent Category: Hiking

in Paradise area

Created: 20 October 2014

Distance:	5.4 mile loop trail
Hiking Time:	4 hours
Elevation Gain:	1,700 feet
High Point:	7,100 feet
Best time for hiking:	Late July – Middle of October
Trailhead Pass:	National Park Pass Required
GPS Waypoints:	Trailhead: N 46° 47' 07", W 121° 44' 06" Panorama Point: N 46° 47' 59", W 121° 44' 06"

Pictures below will take you on a virtual tour along a popular trail with perfect views of Mt. Rainier and autumn scenery!!!

Description:

If you have only one day in Paradise Area, we recommend visiting Panorama Point via Skyline trail. This 5.5-mile trail gives excellent opportunities to see many beautiful parts of Paradise.

Skyline Trail passes streams and waterfalls, and even snowfields and glaciers. We were here in October, and the nature was in its’ most beautiful autumn clothes. Trees and plans were ablaze with colors. Skyline Trail loops up to Panorama Point, the most gorgeous and stunning viewpoint where hikers enjoy the closeness of Mount Rainier.

Be sure to pick up a map showing the network of trails so you can plan your route. Don’t be afraid to be lost because all the trail junctions are well signed. We decided to go to the Northwest, this allowed us to visit Panorama Point, and we had the opportunity to turn back at Golden Gate Trail. We shortened our trail a little bit.

Skyline Trail is a well-maintained trail with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet. It should be said that this hike from Paradise to Panorama Point is known all over the world and tourists from the entire world come here to enjoy famous alpine meadows and impressive views of Mount Rainier and Nisqually Glacier.

The hike along Skyline Trail to Panorama Point starts near the Visitors Center and climbs up the hill. On the way to a junction with Dead Horse Creek Trail the Skyline Trail gains about 200 feet. Here hikers will enjoy the first views of Mount Rainier and Nisqually Glacier.

The next junction on your way will be with Alta Vista Trail, you are to hike straight towards the mountain. The next mile will gain the elevation of 850 feet. The main thing that you need to do here is to stop and to listen to the sound of the ice that is moving.

Panorama Point opens before visitors breathtaking views of the Paradise region, the Tatoosh Range and stunning views of both stratovolcanoes. If you turn your back to Mount Rainier and look to the South, you will be able to see Mt. St. Helens to the right and Mt. Adams to the left. Between these two mountains there is Mt. Hood.

At Panorama Point there are two possibilities for hikers: to hike back the way you came or to make a loop. The Skyline Trail continues above Panorama Point and gains the highest elevation of 7, 051 feet. The trail takes hikers through magical mountain landscapes along alpine meadows covered with carpet of fall colors. Take at our pictures below and you will see fabulous shapes of the mountains, some of them resemble faces, others animals. Give your imagination the opportunity to fly! Enjoy the pictures and the views.

Continue to a junction with Golden Gate Trail. From here you can continue and take Skyline Trail that descends to Myrtle Falls and passes Sluiskin Falls, or just go back to Paradise following the Golden Gate Trail through Edith Basin. When we hiked, we preferred taking the Golden Gate Trail and Myrtle Falls we visited next day.

We should say Myrtle Falls is a spectacular waterfall that flows from the snowfields of Mount Rainier. We were able not only to enjoy the beautiful waterfall, but also to take great pictures.

Directions:

From Seattle

South on I-5 to SR 512 - Exit 127. East on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance. Drive to Paradise Area.