Skyline Trail
Paradise Skyline Loop
The Route
The Skyline loop climbs above Paradise through meadows and rocky alpine terrain.
- ParadiseVisitor-center steps
- Panorama PointUpper meadow climb
- High SkylineUpper loop
- Paradise ValleyMemorial and glacier junction
- Myrtle FallsReturn to Paradise
Paradise to Panorama Point
The clockwise loop begins at the stone steps near Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. It climbs through meadows toward Panorama Point, about two miles from the start, with views toward Nisqually Glacier. NPS identifies a toilet at Panorama Point. The route then follows the High Skyline section before reconnecting above the Golden Gate junction.
East-Side Loop & Return
Farther along, the trail reaches the Stevens–Van Trump Memorial and the Paradise Glacier Trail junction, then descends through Paradise Valley. A final rise leads toward Myrtle Falls before the return to Paradise. Golden Gate is a shortening option, not the full 5.5-mile loop. NPS designates this as day use only, with no overnight camping, pets or fires along the trail.
Terrain Along the Route
Meadows and rocky upper slopes lead toward Panorama Point; High Skyline avoids the persistent icy slope on the lower alternative.
Distance and gain follow NPS: 5.5 miles and 1,700 ft. WTA lists a different gain; 6,800 ft is its approximate route high point. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, WA
Trailhead & Approach
Start behind the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. Road access is via Longmire and the Paradise Road.
Parking & Entry
The route guide lists National park entrance fee or accepted pass. This is a reference listing, not a live parking or permit availability check.
Route Choice
The Skyline loop from Paradise, excluding Camp Muir and summit climbing routes.
Permits & Seasonal Rules
This is a day-use trail. Pets are not permitted on park trails.
Selected Trailhead
The stone steps near Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. The trailhead identity determines which park road and entrance notices apply.
Camping & Trail Rules
Paradise is day use only; overnight camping, pets and fires are prohibited along this trail.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
NPS Trail Conditions
Dated trail, backcountry and fire restrictions. The route description remains available even when its access is closed.
NPS Road Status
Road-by-road notices for the selected park approach. A restriction on one entrance or road is not a closure of every Rainier route.
Recent Trip Reports
Open the route-specific WTA reports and compare the hiking date, endpoint and reported conditions.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.