Indian Bar | Fall Hike at Mount Rainier

In October, the colors seem brighter and there is this indescribable scent of Fall in the air - a heady brew of earth, musk and aging vegetation. Let's hike to the famed valley of Indian Bar - a hidden gem in the Mount Rainier wilderness, where waterfalls sing and valleys glow.

This valley is home to the historic and almost-mythical Indian Bar shelter - a stone refuge that feels conjured from myth. This shelter is an enduring monument to the Cowlitz Indians who once moved through these lands. To rest here is to touch something timeless. Fall paints the landscape in fire and gold, a fleeting masterpiece before the snows erase the canvas.

🥾 Indian Bar Day Hike – Autumn Edition
📍 Trailhead: Box Canyon - Wonderland Trail
📏 Distance: 15 mile round trip
📈 Elevation Gain: 5,000 feet
🍂 Best Time: Early October for Peak Fall Foliage
☀️ Forecast: Sunday, Oct 5: Sunny skies and crisp mountain air, with a high near 62°F—perfect conditions for an autumn hike
⚠️ Difficulty: Challenging — expect steep climbs, rocky descents, and a full-day adventure through alpine terrain and vibrant autumn meadows on a well maintained trail. No mountaineering skills needed. Endurance required.

Itinerary
🕖 0700–0730 – Arrive & Gear Up
📸 Stretch, check packs, and review the route.
🥾 0730 – Begin the Hike
🌲 Enter the forest and begin the ascent toward the Cowlitz Divide, surrounded by autumn’s fiery colors.
🏞️ Midday – Lunch at Indian Bar Shelter
🧺 Rest in the basin, enjoy lunch by the river, and soak in the views of glaciers, waterfalls and golden meadows.
🕓 1630 – Return to Trailhead, tired but transformed
🌅 Descend through glowing foliage as the afternoon light softens and the shadows lengthen.

⏱️ Estimated Hiking Time: 8–9 hours
🧘‍♀️ Moderate pace with plenty of breaks

Links
Trail Map
Elevation Profile
WTA
Ten Hiking Essentials

Meetup Location
Box Canyon - Wonderland Trail Trailhead
Stevens Canyon Road
Packwood, WA 98361
GPS: 46.76570, -121.63467

Route
We will follow the Wonderland Trail which begins in a hush of old-growth forest - moss-draped trees and the gentle trickle of Nickel Creek set a meditative tone. As we climb towards Cowlitz Divide, the forest bursts into flame—reds, oranges, and golds shimmer in the morning sun. As recently as 1906, the Cowlitz Indians hunted and gathered berries along the Divide - parts of the trail are actually their old trail.

We will pause at viewpoints to watch Mount Rainier emerge through the mist, regal and remote. The high point of the trail is reached at 5,930 feet with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens on a clear day. After cresting the Divide, we will begin the descent into the Indian Bar basin.

Indian Bar is nestled at the edge of a meadow in a deep valley near the Ohanapecosh River and the final descent into the valley is 800 feet. The descent into Indian Bar is like entering a cathedral of color and light, where every leaf is a stained-glass window. The trail leads to the thundering Wauhaukaupauken Falls where the river flows through a deep, mossy-slick, narrow gorge.

Pack a lunch and snacks—Indian Bar is the perfect picnic spot! After some well-earned rest at the rock shelter we will retrace our path back to the trailhead.

Logistics
We will meet directly at the trailhead per the schedule above. Hikers can self-organize carpools from any location, as needed. Use the messaging system and comments below to coordinate rides. Average one-way driving time from the Seattle area: 2 hours 15 minutes. Dogs are not allowed on National Park trails.

Getting There
Highway 123 has reopened to single lane traffic effective Oct 1. From the Stevens Canyon Entrance of Mount Rainier National park (via Highway 123) continue about 10 miles up the Stevens Canyon Road to the Box Canyon parking area. The Wonderland Trail trailhead is across the road, a little east of the nature trail at Box Canyon. Smooth paved road all the way to the trailhead, suitable for any vehicle. A National Park Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required to enter the National Park and park a vehicle.

Disclaimer
Before committing, please evaluate your physical fitness, experience level, and preparedness. I am not a guide. By choosing to participate, you acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness hiking and accept full responsibility for your safety and decisions. You expressly consent to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the event host from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses.

RSVP Etiquette
All attendees should be registered here and should have a clear facial profile picture for safety reasons. Please read the entire Event Description above and browse the links provided. RSVP to this event only if you are committed to attending. Late cancellations and No-Shows are noted and will impact your ability to attend future events with us.