KUOW Hike of the Week: Palisades Lakes Trail

Updated Friday 9-16-2011. Hike at Mt. Rainier National Park via Sunrise entrance. Wildflowers are still out.Weekend weather brings chances of rain on Saturday 9-17 but with some brief dry periods for the afternoon. Sunday 9-18 forecast brings higher chance of rain and breezy conditions at times. If you want to hike in a relatively drier location try in the East Cascades like Iron Bear and do it on Saturday 9-17.
Photo below is of the Upper Palisades Lake, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is of lupine flowers in the meadows,photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is of the Palisades rock formation, photo by Michael Fagin

Trail stats: 7 miles round trip. High point 6150 feet and with the ups and downs there is a cumulative gain for the entire day of about 2000 feet.
Driving directions: Enter Mt. Rainier National Park via White River Campground entrance and drive up towards Sunrise and just before the Sunrise Visitor Center park at the Sunrise Point trailhead.
Directions and trail stats are our best estimate however please have a good local map and or a GPS unit.