Northwest Hiker                   
Mt. Rainier National Park
Grand Park via Berkeley Park Hike
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Map of the Grand Park Hike from Sunrise via Berkeley Park

Length: 13.5 Miles round trip
Elevation Change: 2510' Elevation gain RT
Season: Summer thru Fall
Difficulty:   Difficult
Permit:
National Park Pass Required
Latitude:   46.9146
Longitude:   -121.6424


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Features:

This is another gem of a hike in the Mt. Rainier National Park. The trailhead for this ambitious hike is located at the Sunrise Visitor Center.

The elevation and proximity to Mt. Rainier results in a lot of snow on the trail even as late as mid-July. Therefore, you are likely to enjoy this adventure more if you wait until late July or early August when the wildflowers are in full bloom.


This hike to Berkely Park takes you along the Sourdough Mountain ridge to Frozen Lake. At the junction by the lake, follow the Wonderland Trail west. In another 0.75 miles you will come to a junction where the Wonderland Trail turns to the left, but to go to Berkeley Park, just keep walking forward.

The trail to Berkeley Park begins to descend repaidly after the junction and in season it enters a floral garden. The trail crosses a couple of small streams, but skirts one of the amazing place where a stream suddenly appears, gushing out of the ground.

As the trail gets closer and closer to Berkeley Park, the floral displays increase dramatically. Also, you are very likely to safely encounter bears along this stretch of the trail. The trail wanders in and out of meadowed areas, but as you near the Berkeley Park camp area, it is mostly forested.

Nevertheless, this is a world class hike with many rewards. It is not unusual to see the pika or marmot or even bears along this trail. Because of the high elevation of this hike, only the lower portion of the trail provides an incredible wildflower display in July and August.

After you pass the Berkeley Park Camp, the trail continues to descend for awhile, passing through gorgeous flowered meadows in season. The trail whill then begin to climb steeply for a short distance before descending to its lowest point.

From this point on, the trail climbs rather steeply and eventually leaves the heavily forested area and enters large meadowed areas. When you reach the junction turn right and follow the trail out into Grand Park. The views from the open meadow of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Fremont are world class.

This is a long hike and the return to Sunrise is a significant climb.




Stream comes out of the ground near Berkeley Park




How to get there:

   Trailhead:   N46.7063, W120.8894 (click for directions)  




The trail to Berkeley Park and Grand Park begins at the Sunrise Visitor Center parking area just beside the public restrooms.

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