Hike Rampart Ridge

You start at Longmire, crossing the road from the National Park Inn and picking up the trail at the west end of Trail of the Shadows. Go clockwise — trust me on this — because it keeps Rainier in front of you instead of at your back. The first stretch climbs steeply through old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar, gaining over a thousand feet of elevation in less than two miles, which means your quads will know they showed up to work. The ridge itself is the remnant of an ancient lava flow from Rainier's summit, and once you top out, you get sweeping views of the Nisqually River Valley and the mountain looming above it like a wall of ice. The descent loops you back through mossy forest that feels almost coastal. This trail rewards hikers who want a real workout disguised as a short walk — it packs a surprising punch for its modest distance.