August Hiking Trip to Mount Rainier National Park
Details
August 2026 Mount Rainier Hiking Trip
(Last Updated on 5/22/26)
There are up to 8 spots on this trip.
If you are interested in going, please join the ‘Waitlist’ and message me and I’ll then move you to ‘Going’ if there are open spots.
Also please join the WhatsApp group for this event under the Austin Mountaineers. Most of the comms for planning this trip will be on WhatsApp but you also need to sign-up on Meetup. Sorry if that is confusing but I’ve been told that Meetup’s messaging is unreliable…
If you didn’t reply to my recent message, then you are still on the ‘Waitlist’.
If you will not be able to make the trip, please change your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as you know, so that we can give another member a chance to attend.
Trip Overview:
Join us for a week-long trip in August 2026 to Mount Rainier, a majestic 14,000 foot glacier covered mountain located a couple hours south of Seattle, WA. This trip will include challenging day hikes at some of the many scenic and breath-taking trails that wrap around the mountain while staying at campgrounds.
Note: This is a beginner-friendly trip that involves tent camping at a campground and day hiking. We do not plan on backpacking or summiting Mount Rainier. However, several of the hikes will be strenuous (10+ miles with 3000+ feet of elevation gain) so it will require good physical conditioning.
Cost/ Deposit:
The expected total cost of this trip is $250-$300. Details on what that includes and doesn’t include are listed below.
Next Steps:
-
If you are going, please send a deposit of $100 by Monday 6/8
I’ll follow-up on WhatsApp about how to send the deposit.
If I haven’t received your deposit by 6/8, then you’ll be moved back to the ‘Waitlist’. -
Once I receive deposits from at least 3 other people (plus me), then the trip will be a ‘go’ and I’ll let folks know that they can start making flight arrangements.
At that point, the deposit will not be refundable (since dropping out late may impact the cost to others). I’ll also be able to provide a more accurate estimate of the cost once I know how many people are attending.
If we don’t have enough people that can commit to the trip, then we may need to cancel (so don’t book flights until I give the go-ahead). If the trip is canceled then all deposits will be returned. -
Please send the balance of the cost by Monday 7/6. This is about 1 month before the trip. If you need to make other arrangements, then just let me know.
If you decide not to pay the balance then you won’t be able to attend and you’ll forfeit the initial deposit. Hopefully that all seems fair…
High Level Itinerary:
I was originally going to book hotels for everyone on Friday 8/14 and have folks fly back on Saturday 8/15. But after further thought, I’m going to change that to give folks more flexibility.
The new plan is pack-up on Friday morning and have folks at SEATAC airport by 2pm on Friday 8/14. This allows you to either fly back late Friday afternoon or fly back later. But the group trip will officially end at 2pm on Friday 8/14 at SEATAC and you’ll be responsible for any arrangements/ costs after that.
Saturday 8/8- Fly into Seattle-Tacoma Airport
Please plan on arriving by 12pm noon
The group will meet outside the Avis rental counter at the SEATAC airport rental car center. We will pick up the rental car(s) and then drive down to Mount Rainier together. We’ll also stop at Walmart (or something similar) to pick-up last minute supplies. It should take a little over an hour to get to the campground. If we arrive early enough, we may be able to catch the sunset from a nearby peak.
8/8-14: Tent Camping and Day Hiking at Mount Rainier
During the first half of the trip, we’ll hike in the Sunrise area of Mount Ranier National Park and will stay at the Silver Springs Campground from 8/8-8/11. This campground isn’t within the national park but it is only 7 miles from the White River Entrance on the northeast side of Mount Rainier.
During the second half of the trip, we’ll hike in the Longmire and Paradise areas of Mount Rainier National Park and will stay at the Cougar Rock Campground from 8/11-8/14. This campground is within the national park near the Longmire Visitor Center on the southwest side of Mount Rainier.
Both Silver Springs and Cougar Rock Campgrounds have restrooms with flush toilets, potable water and picnic tables. But, there is no electricity, no showers, and no wi-fi. They do have fire rings and should allow campfires (unless there is a burn ban).
Each day we’ll select a hike from the list of moderate to strenuous trails. Some example hikes that I’d like to do are listed below but we’ll discuss it all as a group.
8/14: We’ll pack up on Friday and drive about 2 hours back to the SEATAC airport. We’ll plan on arriving at SEATAC by 2pm. If you plan on flying back on Friday, please book a flight after 5pm.
Trip Cost:
The initial estimate of cost per person is expected to be between $250-$300 (including deposit). The cost will depend somewhat on the number of people attending (since for example, we are splitting the cost of the rental car). I’ll be able to provide an updated estimate once we know the total number of attendees.
If we spend less than I collect, then I’ll refund the difference. And for the record, I plan on paying an equal share as others.
The cost includes:
- Rental Car(s) (including rental and gas)
- Transport from SEATAC to Mount Rainer on Saturday 8/8
- Entry fees into Mount Rainier National Park
- 3 nights at Silver Springs Campground (Saturday to Tuesday)
- 3 nights at Cougar Rock Campground (Tuesday to Friday)
- Transport back to SEATAC on Friday 8/14
Not Included:
- Airfare is not included. You need to book and purchase this.
- You are responsible for bringing your own gear and your own food.
- Any costs after returning to SEATAC airport around 2pm on Friday 8/14 are your responsibility. For example, if you decide to stay Friday night and fly back Saturday, then you need to book and pay for your own accommodations on Friday night.
Food:
For the most part, we’ll plan on eating breakfast and dinner at the campground and lunch on the trail. There are pretty limited supplies once we get down to Mount Rainier so you should plan on bringing food with you or picking up supplies when we stop on the way down. I’m personally planning on cooking with a camp stove using freeze-dried meals for dinner.
Optionally, we could eat out a couple of times during the trip. There are a few restaurants within the park such as the National Park Inn and Paradise Inn. There are also options outside the park in Ashford, WA.
Example Hikes:
Sunrise Area Hikes:
Dege Peak- 2.8 miles Roundtrip, 850 feet gain
If we arrive early enough, this would be a good sunset hike on 8/8
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dege-peak-trail
Skyscraper Mountain and Mt Fremont Lookout- 8 miles Roundtrip, 1,850 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/skyscraper-mountain-trail
Can also add on Mt Fremont Lookout for an additional- 2.6 miles, 650 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mount-fremont-lookout-trail-via-sourdough-ridge-trail
Glacier Basin to Burroughs Mountain Loop- 10 miles, 3,200 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/glacier-basin-to-burroughs-
mountain-to-wonderland-trail-loop
Can also add on 3rd Burroughs for an additional- 2.3 miles, 970 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/burroughs-mountain-trail
Summerland, Panhandle Gap and Sarvant Glacier- 13.8 miles, 4500 feet gain
(Could also turnaround at Summerland which would be 8.4 miles, 2,500 feet gain)
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/wonderland-trail-panhandle-gap-and-sarvant-glacier
White River to Box Canyon- 18 miles, 4,500 feet gain
(This is part of Wonderland Trail that goes thru Summerland and Indian Bar. We would need to drop-off a car since it is a 1-way hike. It is a challenging hike that we could do if the group was up to it)
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/wonderland-trail-white-river-campground-to-box-canyon
Longmire/Paradise Area Hikes:
Box Canyon to Cougar Rock Campground- 11.2 miles, 2,600 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/nickel-creek-to-cougar-rock
Skyline Loop- 5.7 miles Roundtrip, 1,800 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/skyline-trail
Pinnacle Peak Trail- 3 miles Roundtrip, 1,600 feet gain
Could also explore Plumber, Denman, Lane and Castle Peaks
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/pinnacle-peak-trail
Comet Falls and Mildred Point- 6.9 miles Roundtrip, 2,700 feet gain
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mildred-point-via-comet-falls--4
Requirements:
To join this trip, you must be an active Austin Mountaineers member, have attended one of our previous trips, or commit to training consistently with us on our weekly Saturday conditioning hikes. For the safety of the group, the event host will make the final decision on who can attend. You will also need to join our Austin Mountaineers WhatsApp group, which is how we will be discussing trip details as it gets closer.
# Event Waiver and Release of Liability #
By confirming your attendance (RSVP) to this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
- Assumption of Risk: You voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in this event, including but not limited to risks of bodily injury, property damage, or other losses that may occur during the event. You understand that the event may involve physical activities, such as hiking or other outdoor pursuits, which carry inherent risks.
- Personal Responsibility: You accept sole responsibility for your own health, safety, and well-being, as well as that of any guests you may bring to the event. If you or your guests are unwilling to accept this responsibility, you are advised not to RSVP or participate in the event.
- Non-Professional Guidance: The event hosts, organizers, and facilitators are not professional guides or trained personnel. They do not assume any responsibility or liability for your safety, health, or conduct during the event.
- Release of Liability: By participating in this event, you hereby release and discharge the event hosts, organizers, and any affiliated individuals or entities from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by you or your guests during or as a result of participating in this event.
This event is a voluntary gathering of individuals with shared interests engaging in recreational activities. By RSVPing, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this waiver.