Cowlitz Divide Trail (Olallie Creek Trail)

The Cowlitz Divide Trail starts from the Ohanapecosh area and climbs steadily through old-growth forest so thick the canopy feels like a cathedral ceiling. You'll wind through towering Douglas fir and western red cedar before the trail breaks onto the spine of the Cowlitz Divide, where the trees thin out and views of the Ohanapecosh River valley open up below you. The route follows Olallie Creek early on, crossing through meadows that explode with lupine and paintbrush in midsummer. As you gain the ridge, Mount Rainier reveals itself in stages — first a shoulder, then the full glaciated mass. This is a quieter corner of the park, well off the tourist circuit, so you'll likely share the trail with nothing but marmots and the occasional elk. Perfect for hikers who want a genuine backcountry feel without a permit hassle.