Hike the Rampart Ridge Trail to Wonderland Trail Loop

Ashford, Washington

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Details

Distance

6 miles

Elevation Gain

1870 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Sarah Horn

Get rewarded with panoramic views of Mt Rainier after hiking up steep slopes for the first few miles. Then enjoy a gentle descent down past creeks and through the fern covered forest.

This is a wonderful loop to do that avoids some of the crowds on the flatter trails and gives you an amazing view of the mountain. Park in the Longmire parking lot where the National Park Inn and Longmire Museum are. Walk across Paradise Rd E to join up with the Trail of the Shadows. Head north on the trail, which takes you the long way around the loop to meet up with the Rampart Ridge Trail. At this point you'll start climbing up out of the valley. At about mile 2.5 and 3 there are viewpoints of Mt. Rainier and the Kautz Creek valley. From here the trail gently descends and at about mile 4, the Rampart Ridge Trail dead ends into the Wonderland Trail. Head right and stay on this until you arrive back to the Longmire trail head.

Make time to check out the National Park Inn for a post hike drink and the historic buildings on site.

Gaia GPS route map here

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Features

Running

Hiking

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Family Friendly

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Forest

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