Lower Eastside Trail Loop Hike in Mt Rainier
Last Updated on July 13, 2023
When the roads on the East side of Mt Rainier National Park open (usually in late May) until they close in the first heavy snows of fall (sometime in November), this Lower eastside trail loop hike in Mt Rainier is the perfect way to get away from crowds, and a perfect rainy day hike! It also includes two gorgeous waterfalls and a grove of trees that are more than a thousand years old!
The only thing you’ll miss on this hike are views of the mountain, but don’t miss out on this chance to catch Mt Rainier National Park‘s amazing other features, waterfalls and forests! This is a mellow hike with around 300 feet of elevation gain (and loss), covering about 5 miles. Don’t worry too much about not seeing the mountain on the hike, because you’ll see it plenty (if it’s out) on the drive, and you could add a 20 minute detour to Chinook Pass for incredible views of the mountain if it’s out. You could also head to the Crystal Mountain Gondola for some epic views on the way or on the way back.
The Eastside Trail in Mt Rainier National Park is the homeland of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot people.
Parking Pass: Just before you get to the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead, you will pay the Mt Rainier National Park Entrance fee, $30 per car (for seven days).
Dog Friendly: No, dogs are not allowed on any trails in Mt Rainier National Park
Cell Coverage: None
Restrooms: There are restrooms at Grove of the Patriarchs parking area, nowhere else along this route.
Mobility and Accessibility: Overall this trail is in excellent shape, with very few rocks and roots and most of it is not steep. Mt Rainier’s trails are subject to frequent blowdowns, which are trees that fall across the trail. The park service gets to them relatively quickly, but it is still possible a tree may block your path at some point and you may need to scramble over or under it
Related: What to wear for a hike in the Pacific Northwest, what to bring on a hike in the Pacific Northwest
Is the Lower Eastside Trail Loop Hike Right for me?
The loop described below has about 300 feet of elevation gain and covers about 5 miles and is at the south end of the Eastside Trail (you can also do this as a one way 9 mile trip which includes even more waterfalls and old growth forests). The important thing to know about this trail is that it does NOT have any views of Mt Rainier.
It does have gorgeous forests, stunning waterfalls and solitude on the trail (except at the trailhead and on the Grove of the Patriarchs loop). It’s also closer to Seattle than Paradise, the trailhead takes about two hours to get to from South Seattle. This area of the park doesn’t have any services so it’s important to bring your food and water with you.
When is a good time for the Lower Eastside trail loop hike?
An important thing about timing is that the road needs to be open! From Seattle or Tacoma you’ll want to take Hwy 410 and then 123 (Cayuse Pass), and typically these roads open in late May. Follow the link at the beginning of the post for current road status. The road is open until the first heavy snowfalls which typically occur sometime in November. This trail is an especially good choice on rainy days or in May and June when the waterfalls are really roaring from all the snowmelt.
Where is the Eastside Trail?
This trail is in Mt Rainier National Park and the route I describe here starts at the Grove of the Patriarchs Trailhead just inside the Stevens Canyon Entrance. From Seattle or Tacoma, head to Enumclaw and continue on Highway 410 to Cayuse pass and go right (more like straight, definitely not left) onto Hwy 123. Turn right where signed for the park entrance (you will pass the turn to Sunrise/White River entrance earlier in the route). You’ll enter the park and find the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead immediately on the right. The parking lot is fairly small and can be congested. Don’t be deterred by all the people at the trailhead! There are picnic tables and restrooms here.
Trail Description
This description is a loop hike (actually, it’s three separate loops) on a series of different trails. A map is important to keep track of where you are and which way you want to go! All three of these loops combined are a mostly flat (with a few minor hills) and add up to about 5 miles.
Loop #1: Trailhead to Ollalie Falls
Start on the trail behind the restrooms following along the river. In about half a mile, you’ll come to a junction where the crowds (and larger trail) go down and to the right, you will go to the left. Now you’ll have solitude and some very gentle rolling until you meet a sturdy log bridge at Ollalie Falls. This is about a mile and a half from the trailhead. The trail continues on but for this route you will turn around here (after getting you fill of the waterfall!). When you return, when you reach the junction where you went left on the way out, you will go down and to the left to Grove of the Patriarchs.
Loop #2: Grove of the Patriarchs
This is the part that is likely to be crowded but these ancient trees are totally worth it!! Head down to the river and across a fun suspension bridge and then follow a half mile trail in a lollipop loop through the mighty Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar grove featuring many trees over a thousand years old! Complete the loop by returning to the trail junction and go left, back towards the parking lot. You’ll be at the parking lot and restrooms in half a mile.
Loop #3: Silver Falls
If you’re up for a little more walking and another stunning waterfall (my favorite waterfall in Washington State!), add the one and a half mile loop to Silver Falls. To do this, continue on the Eastside trail after passing the restrooms and parking lot. Cross the highway, then continue along until you come to the overlook for Silver Falls (spur trail with a sign). If you’ve come this far, you must continue a very short distance to another bridge over the Ohanapecosh River with a different angle on spectacular Silver Falls and a narrow canyon downstream from it. The trail again continues on the other side of the bridge (to the Ohanapecosh campground in a mile and a half), but to follow this route, turn around here and return on the trail the way you came to the Grove of the Patriarchs trailhead.
Breweries and Bakeries near the Eastside Trail
There are no concessions in this part of the park, although there are several roadside places along the way. You can also head to the Summit House Restaurant for epic views of Mt Rainier from the Crystal Mountain Gondola. Stop for pie at the Pie Goddess in Enumclaw!
Electric Vehicle Charging
The closest fast charging is in Puyallup, which is way too far for the range of my Nissan Leaf! If you have a longer range, you might be able to do this trip in an EV. I hope that the park service will install fast chargers someday!
