A Mount Rainer Hike Without the Crowds
Since the pandemic our National Parks have been busier than ever so when we moved to Washington a few months ago I avoided visiting Mt. Rainer. I planned on waiting until summer was over hoping for less crowds in the fall. But, then I came across a picture of a lake on Instagram and the photographer mentioned it was in Rainer. He didn’t mention where, but the water was so incredibly blue I knew I’d be able to find it using Google Earth. In less than a couple minutes I had a name to the trail, Emmons Moraine. The trail is located in the lesser visited White River area so I took my chances and ventured out on a nice warm summer Sunday praying I would find parking once I got there.
I was behind a small group of cars on the 410, but was the only one who turned onto Sunrise Park Road heading towards the White River Ranger Station so I thought I was getting pretty lucky, until I got closer to the pay station and ran into a line of cars about 25 deep. Seeing as I didn’t make it to the park until about 2pm I assumed my chances of finding decent parking were shot. Luck would have it there were still a few spots available. It should be noted, when you follow Google Maps to the Emmons Moraine trailhead the directions will take you into an area designated for campers only. You will want to park at the lot right before the campground. If you miss it, no biggie just follow the loop around the campground and it will lead you back out.
Another slightly confusing thing is you won’t see a sign for the Emmons Moraine trail. You’ll actually be starting at the Glacier Basin Trailhead which is located at the very end of the campground (western side). So, I set off on Glacier Basin trail still expecting to pass quite a few hikers on the trail judging by the amount of cars. It ended up not being bad at all. A couple of people every few minutes or so.
About a mile in you’ll see a little sign directly you to take a left for Emmons Moraine Trail (it won’t be too far after you pass a waterfall located on a switchback). The trail will take you across the river and up a couple short switchbacks. Just a minute more of walking and you’ll get a view of the lake to your left. There were numerous ways down so I just found my way to the bottom and ended up having the lake to myself for about an hour. (Once I hiked back up I didn’t continue on the trail so I can’t tell you any more about it beyond the lake.) I’m guessing most people from the parking lot were continuing on Glacier Basin Trail and the few other people I did see on Emmons Moraine did not hike down to the lake. Now of course I can’t guarantee you will get lucky enough to have it to yourself, but the odds seem pretty good.
