Naches Peak Loop Trail

Hiking the 3.5-mile Naches Peak Loop offers good exercise, mountain fresh air, and stunning views of Mt. Rainier. Drive scenic Highway 410 to Chinook Pass about 80 miles south of Seattle (just north of Mt. Rainier), and park next to Tipsoo Lake. The trailhead is right across the highway.

For best views of Rainier, hike this loop counterclockwise. But no matter, it's splendid any way. With an elevation gain of only 500 feet, it's not strenuous. In the fall, the huckleberries and other shrubs glow scarlet on the hillsides along the trail. Go on a weekday if you can!