Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail threads through the Ohanapecosh area on Mount Rainier's quieter, less-trampled eastern flank — the side most visitors skip entirely. You'll walk beneath a thick canopy of old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar, the kind of trees that make you feel appropriately small. The trail follows the general contour of the land through dense Pacific Northwest forest, crossing small creeks and passing through patches of fern and moss so green they look artificial. Without the marquee destination that draws crowds to Skyline or Wonderland segments, this trail rewards you with something rarer: genuine solitude in one of the most visited parks in the country. It's the kind of hike where you hear your own breathing and not much else. Perfect for hikers who want Rainier's forest cathedral without the parking lot circus.