Summerland Hike on the Wonderland Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Summerland is the name of a backcountry camp and a meadow area beneath the Fryingpan Glacier on Rainier's eastern shoulder. The hike to this spot is one of the best in the park for its close-up views of 14,411-foot Mount Rainier, colorful alpine meadows, and thundering waterfalls. If you start in the morning, Summerland Camp offers an ideal lunch spot. The optimal time for travel is early June through late August; snow cover can hinder the hiker's pace any earlier or later in the season. - Overview by Beau Chevassus, Outdoor Project.

This is one of Mount Rainier's most crowded trails, but it's worth it. Get there as early as you can for the best chance of parking. Please hike only on the constructed trails and rest on nearby rocks instead of trampling the meadows. Camping: Campsites at Summerland trailside camp are some of the most popular in the park and often fill early on summer days. A wilderness permit is required to camp. See the Mount Rainier National Park website for more information.

Summerland Trailhead (also called Fryingpan Creek Trailhead) is located along White River Road, which is open to vehicles during the summer season only, typically June-October. From the parking lot, a short 0.1-mile trail connects to the Wonderland Trail. Continue on the Wonderland Trail, ascending gradually through mature forest on rolling terrain for several miles. Once in the upper valley of Fryingpan Creek, the trail crosses the creek at a small cascade.

Beyond there, the trail climbs steeply with switchbacks for another half mile to the open subalpine meadows of Summerland. This is where the Summerland shelter and trailside campsites are located. Whether camping or not, you can linger and find a place to rest while taking in the incredible views.

A host of subalpine wildflowers in the meadows, plus frequent sightings of mountain goats and other wildlife like elk and marmots. Be sure to practice proper food storage in camp or while picnicking.