Palisades Lake

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildlife

This trail was named for an interesting rock formation called "The Palisades" which towers over the lakes near the trail's end.

Enjoy the multiple secluded lakes along this route as this trail undulates its way past the slopes of Marcus (6,991') and Brown (6,209') Peaks.

Camps are located at Dick Lake and Upper Palisades Lake.

The initial and final sections are very steep and make for difficult running.

Drive 10.5 miles beyond the White River Entrance to the parking area at Sunrise Point. Find the trailhead at the point's east end.

After a steep .5 mile descent along a slope which holds snow into late July, run have the choice of taking a short spur trail to Sunrise Lake or continuing on the main trail toward the Palisades Lakes. The trail goes up and down for the rest of its length, passing Clover Lake 1.5 miles from the trailhead. It continues past Tom, Dick, and Harry Lakes and ends at Upper Palisades Lake. One mile before Upper Palisades Lake a spur trail leads to Hidden Lake. No camping is permitted at Hidden Lake.

Although the Sourdough Mountains successfully block any view of Mount Rainier from this trail, runners can easily spend all day enjoying the array of lakes, wildflowers, or huckleberries when in season. Look for pikas and marmots in the talus slopes. Elk can often be heard bugling during the rutting season of early autumn and can sometimes be seen along the trail.