Hike Grand Park and Lake Eleanor

Prepare in advance to hold your jaw from dropping. Stunning views of Mt. Rainier await visitors of Grand Park. A quick jaunt through the forest via the trailhead leads first to Lake Eleanor. Well groomed campsites are available for overnight stays.

Head past Lake Eleanor and you're on the way to Grand Park. At approximately 1.5 miles, encounter a teaser meadow boasting previews of the wildflowers and sites to come. Several spots on the trail often require squishing through mud and soft ground. A good pair of hiking boots should do the trick.

Continue on, leading again through the forest to the stairs leading to Grand Park. This is easily the most challenging part of your hike, where a majority of the 1100' elevation gain takes place. Fear not, the reward is more than worth the climb. Fear, however, the bugs. Bring bugspray and apply generously to your clothing and exposed skin.

Once at the meadow, continue on a flattened trail for about 1 mile to reach the Grand Park junction, where turning left takes you down to Berkeley Park and Sunrise, and turning right brings you to campgrounds. Notice the Mount Fremont fire lookout across the valley, located to the left of Mt. Rainier.

Logistically, prepare for a 9 mile roundtrip, gaining roughly 1100 feet in elevation. From Enumclaw, drive east 24 miles on State Route 410 to a junction with Forest Road 73. Turn right (south) and drive 6 miles to a bridge over Huck-leberry Creek. Continue past the bridge and continue 2.5 miles to a road junction. Turn right and at 10 miles from SR 410, park at the trailhead near the Eleanor Creek bridge.