4-Day Mt. Rainier National Park Backpacking

Max 6 people Moderate difficulty Beginner experience

Overview

On this trip you will learn necessary skills for safe backcountry travel including navigation, packing, leave no trace, and cooking, all while while enjoying one of the most beautiful and luscious wildernesses the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Should you choose to do so, our expert guide will also teach you the basic mountaineering skills including snow skills and ice axe self arrest.

We will practice several topics such as bringing appropriate gear, light-packing, cooking, and safety, all of which will help to ensure you have an enjoyable experience whenever you visit the outdoors. Weeks before the trip begins, we will discuss appropriate gear and packing. The hike itself is of moderate difficulty overall, but it includes many easy stretches that will allow you to keep your eyes fixed on the vistas, glaciers, and Mount Rainier. We plan to enjoy our time in the park at a comfortable pace, since half the fun of being outdoors is escaping our busy lives. There are some tough sections, however, so be prepared for a few challenges and many breath-taking rewards!

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Trip host

Glen Young

Reviews: 196

Itinerary

Day 1: Hike to Ipsut Creek Campground 2400’ - 5 miles

We will carpool to the Carbon River trailhead in the Carbon/Mowich areas of Mount Rainier National Park. From here we walk along the road, a relatively flat trail with low elevation gain of 700'. This part of the hike serves as a great time to see how well our gear fits. As we move along we will discuss proper gear and packing techniques and implement these skills. When we set up camp at the Ipsut Creek Campground, we will cook a delicious dinner and check out Ipsut Falls before turning in for the night.

Included: Dinner, Group Gear (tent and cookware)

Day 2: Hike to Cataract Valley camp 4620’ – 5 miles

Day 3: Hike to Mowich Lake Campground 4929’ – 6.5 miles

Day 4: Hike through Ipsut Pass to Carbon River Trailhead 1700’ – 9 miles

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Accommodations

On day 1, for 1 day

Isput Creek Campground

On day 2, for 1 day

On day 3, for 1 day

Pricing

Included:

Accommodation

Admission fees

Guide fees

Excluded:

All meals

Alcoholic beverages

Gratuities

Transfers

Flights

Porter

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal gear

Luggage transfers

Airport transfer

International flights

Domestic flights

Local guide

Some meals

Do not forget to arrange for the requisite passport, visa and travel insurance, if you are booking an international trip.

We try our best to ensure accurate and up-to-date guide information, but in some cases this may change due to emergencies or other unforeseen guide scheduling challenges. In any case, another highly-rated, certified guide with similar experience would lead your trip and you will be kept informed of any such case.