- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, Hiking
Pinnacle Saddle in Mt. Rainier Hiking Guide
Pinnacle Saddle in Mount Rainier National Park is a short and spicy hike with unimaginable views from start to finish. The short hike with substantial elevation gain offers views of the spectacular Mount Rainier and the breathtaking valley leading to Mount Adams, Mt. St. Helen, and Mount Hood.
A short and spicy hike is a short hike with substantial elevation gain. In contrast, a short and sweet hike is a short hike with little elevation gain.
The Pinnacle Saddle is an underrated hike in Mount Rainier National Park and should not be overlooked by visitors to the park. On the Paradise side of the park, the accessibility is easy to access. With the option to hike to Pinnacle Peak with more elevation gain, it is a favorite spot for climbers in the park.
In this blog post, we will cover general information about the trail, important access information, what it’s like to hike the trail and other amazing hikes in the area.
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Short & Spicy Trail in Mount Rainier: Pinnacle Saddle
If you’re looking for a short hike with significant pay off, this trail is for you! Pinnacle Saddle, while sometimes tough with a steep grade, has immense payoff with close up views of Mount Rainier.
Here is everything you need to know before you get to the trailhead and what you can expect along the way.
Happy Hiking!
Trail Stats
Region: Mount Rainier
Distance: 2.5 miles
Level: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft
Time: 3 hours +
When to Go: June – Sept.
Pass/Permit?: America the Beautiful
Dogs Allowed?: No
Accessing Pinnacle Saddle
Accessing the trailhead is relatively straightforward, so long as you remember to access the trail from the Paradise side of the park! The long winding road into the park has numerous pull-offs on the way to Paradise, one of which is Reflection Lake.
Where is Pinnacle Saddle
Pinnacle Saddle is located on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Nisqually tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.
Getting to the Trailhead
Enter via the WEST entrance of Mount Rainier National Park through Elbe on State Route 706. AKA the Nisqually entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. You’ll know if you’re driving through Elbe if you see the different train cars for dining and overnight stays.
Continuing through the park entrance onto Stevens Canyon Road, you will reach a junction to Reflection Lake. Turn Right and park at the Reflection Lake parking area on the south side of the road. Across the street is the trailhead for Pinnacle Saddle.
Trailhead Facilities
There were NO trail head facilities at Reflection Lake. The closest facilities were a pull-off prior to the turn-off.
Passes/Permits
This trail is within National Park boundaries and you will need to enter with a National Park Pass or pay the standard daily entrance fee of $30.
There are a number of different passes that grant access to Mount Rainier National Park including a standard pass, annual pass(Mount Rainier NP Only), and Free Days.
If you frequent National Parks more than THREE times a year, I would suggest purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass which grants unlimited access to National Parks and Forests for an entire year. The cost is $80 which pays for itself in three visits to National Parks in a year. An America the Beautiful pass works in National Parks and Forests.
If you would like to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass, you can purchase one here!
Season to Visit Pinnacle Saddle
Pinnacle Saddle is best accessed from July to October. While the Saddle is accessible during periods of high snowpack for snowshoeing, it is highly recommended to use a GPS device to find and follow a proper trail.
I would recommend hiking this trail during the summer months to view the full vantage of summer wildflowers and a snow-free trail.
Hiking to Pinnacle Saddle
This trail is so short and spicy that it is challenging to break it up into different sections, but if it were to be broken up, I would say that there is an initial wooded section and an exposed section.
Pinnacle Saddle: Wooded Section
The wooded section of the trail begins right across the street from the parking lot, which is marked with a small sign. You’re gaining elevation with every step from the first step onto the trail. Glimpses of Mount Rainier between tree breaks tease what is to come.
The wooded section has beautiful wildflowers, a bubbling brook, and luscious green trees. The trail is relatively level and wide in this section, making it easy to leisurely enjoy the trail. Once you pass the stream in this section, about 0.5 miles in, you’re nearing the exposed section of the trail. Take in the last few moments of shade, especially on a hot day, and enter the exposed section.
Pinnacle Saddle: Exposed Section
The exposed section of the trail, while hot on a summer day, is breathtaking. It seems almost wild that you’re hiking away from Mount Rainier and that the views could get any better than what is behind you, but just wait.
The Exposed section of the trail is more rocky, so definitely watch where you’re stepping! There is a ton of loose rock that can get slippy. What I have always been impressed by in Mount Rainier National Park is the work the trail crew has done to create beautiful rock walls on the bounder sections of trails. They are truly a work of art.
Check Out Another Favorite in Mount Rainier NP: Naches Peak Loop
Continuing along the trail, you’ll reach a few longer switchbacks, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a marmot! Once you are walking next to the tower rock cliff and see the cave (do not walk up to the cave; it is off trail!) you are just around the corner from spectacular views.
As you hike towards the Saddle, a space will open up to the valley on the other side with captivating views of Mount Adams. Take some time to take it all in!
Past Pinnacle Saddle
If you want to continue your hike for even more views, there is a route to Pinnacle Peak, which is included on the AllTrails Route. It adds 0.5 miles and 600 ft of gain. The steep climb is rewarded with 360 views of Mt. Rainier National Park.
It is popular for rock climbers to climb the various peaks. Please note that none of the trails past the saddle are maintained by the park. you will have to hike at your own risk to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Pinnacle Saddle in Mount Rainier National Park!
If you have a question of your own, feel free to write it in the comments, and I will be happy to answer it for you.
Where is the Pinnacle Saddle Trailhead?
The trailhead for Pinnacle Saddle is across the street from the Reflection Lakes Parking Area. The signed trailhead can be seen from the parking lot.
Are there other hikes near Pinnacle Saddle?
Yes, there are lots of hikes that share the trailhead of Pinnacle Saddle. To extend your hike, you can climb up the Pinnacle Peak Saddle to the left for a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier and Mount. St. Helens.
For an even more rigorous route, you can climb up to the top of Plummer Peak. While this route is only 3-miles round trip from the Pinnacle Peak Parking lot, it still takes people an average of 2.5 hours to complete.
What Peaks can you see on the Pinnacle Saddle Trail?
Other than spectacular views of Mount Rainier, there are great views of Mt. Adams, Mount St. Helens, Oregon’s Mount Hood, and Tatoosh Peak in the Tatoosh Range. This area is close to the Goat Rocks area, which also has some amazing hikes, like Twin Sisters and Shoe Lake via the PCT.
Should Pinnacle Saddle be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. But the question is, Should Pinnacle Saddle be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
The classic Pinnacle Saddle should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington. The short and spicy trail offers spectacular views in the park with little time commitment. I love that the trail was easy to navigate and that the main focus of the trail wasn’t actually on Mount Rainier(even though she is oh-so-pretty!). The trail was starting to get busier as we were hiking down with people of all ages. Mount Rainier National Park has plenty of accessible trails for people of all ages. Definitely add this to your list.
Let me know in the comments if you think Pinnacle Saddle should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington!
If you’d like to complete your own 100 Classic Hikes journey, you can purchase the book here.
Pack It Up
On a clear day, the Pinnacle Saddle Trail is one of the best trails in Mount Rainier National Park. With spectacular views of Mt. Adams, Mount St. Helens, and a beautiful view of Mount Rainier, you see it all!
With the short distance and high elevation gain, this trail is short but sweet. The Tatoosh range boasts ruggedly gorgeous trails, and if you’re lucky enough to come across a marmot, it only adds to the experience.
This is one of my favorite short trails in Mount Rainier, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
