Hike Rampart Ridge
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The trail can be icy and treacherous from late fall through spring — packed snow on the steep sections turns into a slip-and-slide without microspikes or snowshoes, and route-finding gets tricky when trail markers are buried.
The elevation gain is compressed into a short distance, making the grade deceptively steep. Hikers used to judging difficulty by mileage alone will be caught off guard — take it slow on the ascent.
Trail Details
- 1
Hike clockwise starting from the Trail of the Shadows junction — the climb is steeper but shorter on this side, and you face Rainier on the ridge section instead of craning your neck backward.
- 2
Longmire parking fills up by mid-morning on summer weekends. Arrive before 9 AM or after 3 PM, or use the pullouts along the road just east of the inn if the main lot is full.
- 3
The best photo op is at the ridge viewpoint roughly halfway through the loop — the afternoon light hits Rainier's glaciers beautifully, but morning gives you cleaner air before the summer haze builds.
Photos
NPS Photo
