Super cool hike. Spikes and poles IMO a must. Beware of idiots trying to hike in sneakers. Enjoy the slides down the mountain. Unreal views

Found a fleece on Pan face probably around noon-ish, right by the glissade chute - probably fell out while sliding down.  If you're missing one and it's really important to you, send me a message - err can you do that here?  Maybe if not, reply to this?  I dunno, maybe try to talk to me somehow and tell me what kinda fleece it is.  If it matches what I found, I'll try to get it back to you,

Stats

• Distance: 5.3 miles
• Vertical Gain: 1,513 ft
• Hiking time (including 45 minute summit rest): 4.5 hours

Conditions

• Weather: The day started out cold around 35 around 6am but quickly warmed into the 60s around 3pm. Moderate overcast that repeatedly broke out into blue sunny skies throughout the day. Several pronounced lenticular clouds could be seen over Mt Rainier in the late afternoon as I was departing. Amazing visibility - could even see Mt. Hood (by Portland) from Panorama Point!
• Road: Chains must be carried in Mount Rainier National Park in the winter weather but there was no ice or snow on the road nor any snow removal equipment running on the road. There were TONS of backcountry skiers on Saturday looking to enjoy the slopes of Mt Rainier, so the parking lot was pretty full - the main parking lot was filling up when I arrived around 10am and the park rangers started directing people to the overflow lot 15 minutes after I arrived.
• Avalanche Forecast: Moderate forecast at all elevations. With the warm weather lots of roller balls were present along some of the steeper slopes towards Panorama point. NPS had two rotating groups of "ski patrol" staff on the base of the steepest slope towards Panorama Point and on top of Panorama Point. They were mostly looking out towards back country skiers.
• Trail: There was a clear trail from the parking lot up to Panorama Point. The trail was very firmly beaten down and icy when I started hiking, but became more slushy as the day warmed up. The main trail could mostly be done with spikes, but most folks were either using skins or snowshoes. Off trail, the snow is not beaten down, so expect significant postholing without snowshoes. There are some fairly steep slopes on the way towards Panorama Point - a lot of the spike-wearers turned back at this point - but snowshoers and backcountry skiers were usually able to ascend successfully. The views towards Rainier were amazing, and with today's clear visibility Mt. St Helens, Mt. St Adam and Mt. Hood were all visible on the horizon. There were a lot of backcountry skiers / splitboarders going down the mountain at fairly high speeds. They usually stayed away from the main beaten down trail but sometimes would come close, so it's worth keeping an eye out to avoid an accidental collision.

Bottom Line:

A beautiful and quiet experience hiking above Paradise, with nary a footprint, and breaking trail in soft, playful snow. It really does not get better than this for snowshoeing, with amazing weather, views and photogenic terrain features (cornices, wind lips, wind patterns in the snow). Excellent conditions, and "Low" avalanche danger. Snow coming next week!

Stats:

• Distance: ~ 4 miles
• Vertical: ~1200 ft
• Duration: 3-1/2 hours
• Road/Parking: National Park pass for entry; carry chains. Longmire gate opened prompted at 9am PST, although traffic was held for about 15 minutes at Narada Falls. Quiet day with plenty of parking - maybe 25 cars in the lot when I headed up. Visitor Center open with restrooms. CAUTION: Gate closes promptly at 5pm as signed/warned.
• Weather: Sunny with increasing cloud late in the day. A lenticular cloud formed over the mountain but broke apart when the wind shifted to the southwest. High 20's to 30sF. Light to no wind. Stunning weather!! Not nearly as warm as last weekend, but this preserved the snow. Just enough cloud to cast shadows and create contrast.
• Avalanche Forecast: "Low" at all elevations. Fresh snow fell earlier in the week, (mostly) erasing the BEAUTIFUL rain runnels from last weekend, and setting up a stunning climb breaking trail most of the way. Firm sun crust in the morning at the bottom, breaking into powder at upper elevations. Lots of cornices and wind features (making the terrain very photogenic!); only a few roller balls. Surface hoar on some aspects. Snow started to corn up at lower elevations in the afternoon. Deeper powder at higher elevations. No postholing with snowshoes but poles sinking deep from the get-go.
• Trail: The nice thing about winter in Paradise is that you can hike anywhere, and the best bet is to get away from others and break your own trail (if you know the way). Followed the ridge line adjacent to the Nisqually Glacier, past Glacier Vista, all the way up to the sharp right turn marking the final ascent up to Panorama Point. Most backcountry skiers are single-minded about a direct approach (I am too with skis!) and head up the steep slope directly below the point. But this does limit your views. Before the ridge turns right towards the Panorama dome, you will have attained about 1/2 that vertical (you will see folks climbing in parallel to the east). This was essentially the summer route. I turned around at the end of the ridge as the snow was getting deep, and with no broken trail it was becoming work! Views were already amazing - completely satisfied. Just sat for a while and drank it all in. CAUTION: Avalanche danger, and cornice exposure on this route, especially toward the end of the ridge, where the way is narrow with a steep drop-off on one side, and a cornice on the other; check the Northwest Avalanche Forecast and carry gear.
• Takeaway: Snowshoeing in a fresh snow with big open slopes and nary a track in the snow is a Zen experience - so beautiful and relaxing! I had not been on a Friday in a long time - completely different experience than the weekend. Enjoyed plenty of solitude yesterday to go along with the breathtaking views. Simply outstanding!

The attached video shows the fresh snow, views and photogenic wind-blown features on the ridge above Nisqually. There is also a short at the Instagram page with some of the best shots from the three 2025 trips ;)