Whole Zine

© Faungg
A view of Mt. Rainier at Sunrise Point
meadow on fairly level ground to Clover Lake, 1.5 miles from the
parking lot and the second and largest lake in the chain. Clover
Lake, another great spot for a picnic lunch, is a good destination
for a family outing with older children. Note: there are small trails
along the banks — please don’t stray off of them, as the meadow
is fragile and is easily damaged by hiking boots.
The main trail travels past Clover Lake, up the next hill and
down the other side — another steep grade. Again, coming back
on this part of the hike will get your heart-rate up. You cross
another large meadow, with the rocky ridge to the west getting
more impressive as you hike on. The definition of Palisades
becomes more apparent. At 2.6 miles from the parking lot is the
junction to Hidden Lake. The trail heads west, up and into the
ridge on a fairly steep path. As you gain in elevation, you get a
terrific view of the meadows and hills below. It seems with each
corner you turn, there is another beautiful sight to behold. If you
look south you can see a flat section on the far ridge — this is
the parking lot where you began this hike. It is surprising how far
you have come. As you crest this hill, .5 miles from the junction,
you come upon Hidden Lake. The crystal clear waters allow you
to see the sandy bottom of this crescent-shaped lake. The trail
goes to the right and then to the left, just above the shoreline. As
you round the second corner, the amazing rocky cliffs come into
view and you realize that you are in a huge bowl. Above you, the
cliff-face looks like vertical columns. Many of those columns have
broken away and fallen down the hillside.
If your destination is still the Palisades Lakes, stay right at the
Hidden Lake Junction. You will pass by Tom, Dick and Harry Lakes
on the right side of the path. (Dick Camp is located on a short
spur trail.) The trail continues on through rolling meadows and
woods until you reach Upper Palisades Lake on the left (at 3.5
miles from the trailhead). After a relaxing rest and delicious lunch
(and perhaps a quick swim), you will be ready for the 3.5 - mile hike
back to the parking lot.
Flowers in bloom, late August
© Angela Ivy
© Angela Ivy
The Palisades Lakes Trail, out of Sunrise Point, is one of
those hikes where you can do as little or as much as you
want. This trail was named for an interesting rock formation
called Palisades which are a cliffed group of peaks
located in the Sourdough Mountains in the northeast section of
Mount Rainier National Park. It passes by several pristine, alpine
lakes, like jewels on a necklace.
The trail is short enough to be hiked in an afternoon, but a pair
of backcountry camps are available if an overnight visit is what
you desire. Each lake can be a destination in itself or a site for
pictures before moving on. Although the Sourdough Mountains
successfully block any view of Mount Rainier from this trail, hikers
can easily spend all day enjoying the array of lakes, wildflowers, or
huckleberries in season.
Look for pikas and marmots in the talus slopes. Elk can often be
heard bugling during the rutting season of early autumn and can
sometimes be seen along the trail. This is a great fall hike — all the
colors are brilliant, the air is cool and the bugs are few. (Although
August is the perfect time to see the meadows carpeted with
wildflowers, the bugs, especially the mosquitoes, are numerous.)
The trailhead to the Palisades Lakes begins at Sunrise Point,
about 3 miles before the Sunrise Visitor’s Center. You can’t miss
the large parking lot inside the hairpin turn in the road. There are
always people walking around taking pictures from this ridge. From
here, the view of Mt. Rainier is exceptional and you can even see
Mt. Adams in the distance to the south. The trail goes east from
the parking lot and follows the ridge for a short distance before
dropping steeply down the north side. Remember at this point
that if you drop down, you must be able to come up the same
steep hillside.
As you hike down this hill you will see Sunrise Lake ahead of
you. The total distance from the parking lot to this lake is .5 miles.
This is a beautiful place for a picnic if that is as far as you would
like to go. The trail is short enough for little ones — even if you
have to carry them up the hill on the return. Along the way you will
hear the squeaks of many picas (small rodents), as they scurry into
their little holes in the rocks. This trail ends at the lake.
If Sunrise Lake is not your destination you will need to hang a
right before reaching the bottom of the hill. (There is a sign at this
junction.) The trail continues on through forest alternating with
© Beautiful Washington
© Beautiful Washington
One of the many lakes on the trail
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