Had quite a bit of trouble finding the trailhead parking being my first time attempting this trail. I did a few u-turns back and forth and finally decided to start from the Camp Sheppard parking lot, which came with the added benefit of a pretty well-stocked pit toilet but also added an extra 2 miles each way to the trek. It was easy to see the trailhead and parking after I walked by it on the trail - it's not far from the Skookum Flats Trailhead off Forest Road 7160. That would have been a much closer starting point, but I couldn't complain too much since it was a beautiful day! 

Trail is well marked once you've found it. There is a blowdown very early on, but easy to walk through. A few other trees are downed along the way, but nothing causing too much of an issue. No snow on the trail.

I only made it to the first viewpoint having spent more time than I anticipated getting to the main start of the trail, so didn't venture beyond that. The viewpoint is super nice, especially on a rare sunny (and warm) winter day like today. Now that I've seen where the start actually is, I'm looking forward to coming back to tackle more of this trail!

We left home and it was in the low 40s with a biting wind blowing. As we drove up 410 the temp was anywhere between 46 and 61 settling down to 53 when we arrived to the Buck Creek turnoff. We pulled a u-turn and parked alongside the road halfway on the berm of snow. It was hard packed and I drove back and forth a few times just to be sure. This would be the most snow on our trip today. As we got out of the car there was a surprisingly warm breeze blowing and made me question wearing long sleeves. We headed up the hill to the White River Trail and headed toward Ranger Creek. 0.1 mile there's a huge tree across the trail with its full branches hanging down. It was like walking through a series 10 of beaded curtains to get past, but not difficult. Within 0.5 miles we had to remove coats and the long sleeves as it was so warm - even in the shaded forest. There were about 11 trees down - the one of which you had to sit on and swing your legs over, one you had to cut the corner, but most could be stepped onto or over. They would all be difficult for bikes. Stopped at the viewpoint 2.5 miles up and got some sun on our faces. From that point the trail had lots of debris - nothing inhibiting - just an observation. Saw a 30 foot section of snow covering 90% width of the trail and that was it up to the burned section where we turned around about 3.7 miles. Not only was the trail snow-free, it was dry and crunchy sounding with most steps. The only other sounds today were the off and on of Ranger Creek. Very peaceful! Got back down and saw a couple and their 5 or 6 dogs near the car, but no one else.

There were 16 or so cars at Palisades as we drove past - a lot of them parked alongside the road as the berm prevented most from the usual parking orientation. Weird so much snow along the road and even on the houses near Federation Forest, but non on our hike.

Ran the Palisades Loop.  Went up Little Ranger side first and ended with the White River Trail.  

The entire loop was gloriously dry- no running water, no mud!

The trail up to Little Ranger viewpoint (2.5 miles from TH) is in great condition, no downed trees, no ice, no erosion.  Nice running grade.

Past the lookout to the ridge, the trail has a layer of ice covered with dirt and pine needles.  We didn’t need spikes but had to go a little slower.  Also, some of the switchbacks are eroded so I started using my poles for extra protection. This was the only stretch with ice and erosion- about 2 miles.

Once on the ridge, there are a lot of downed dead trees from the recent wind, and we slowed down to a crawl to navigate around the blow downs stepping though tall dry grass and dried beargrass.  The wind was howling and it was quite cold (temps in the upper 40s but with wind chill).  I legit wanted to turn around and just run back the same way we came, but my husband assured me that the blow downs are probably just isolated to the unprotected ridge line.  

I am glad we continued because as soon as we got out of the skyline, there were no more downed trees.  Also, the landscape was very interesting with more unobstructed views of Rainier, lots of cliff-like features, and large rock wall features.  

South Snoquera Point area has lots of fall colors!  This section of the trail is very rocky and steep.  

Running the White River trail along Dallas Creek is lush, green, and rainforesty.  Really fun to watch the changes in terrain and environments during this loop.

Saw elk running down the steep forest side, bear poop, and lots of birds.  

There were about 2 cars in the lot when we started at 9am.  Same when we returned at 12:30!

13.7 miles and 3,500 gain. 

Had the trail all alone on a stormy Sunday. Above the Ranger Peak over look and below the Palisades trail connector, the trail bed has been affected by the fire damage and runoff. However, I had no problems traveling the entire trail from 410 to the Dalles Ridge Trail.

Just a lovely day, on the leeward side of Mt. Rainier.

Seizing upon the increasingly rare nugget of a dry, quasi-sunny day, we hit what I call the Palisades Loop-- an excellent 15-mile RT workout, as well as a beautiful and varied hike. Elevation gain is 2800 feet, the highest point circa 5300.

Our route: parked at the Camp Shepard lot (large, off-highway lot with decent, TP-stocked outhouse) and found our way to the White River trail heading west towards the junction with Palisades trail. (From the parking lot, hit the main TH, pass the miniature ampitheater within about 3 minutes, and then hang a sharp left to pick up the White River trail heading west. You'll know you're on the right path when you soon pass Camp Shepard's various playfields and buildings to your left). About 1.5 miles along this trail, reach a sign that says Palisades. (You'll have hit another junction previous to this, saying Snoquera and White River trail (confusingly), but this is not the right trail. Wait till the second junction). At the Palisades junction, hang a right and be on your way. After 6.6 miles on Palisades, reach the junction with Little Ranger Peak trail, then turn right and head back down 4.8 miles to the White River trail. Turn right, then it's 2 miles back to the lot.

Trail details: having hiked this route in the opposite direction, I prefer the one we did today. Hiking up Palisades is steep in the first mile or so, as well as the last, but much of the way is actually rather gentle. Because you're relatively fresh on the way up, you can better absorb the beauty of the maples in the lower portions, in full fall regalia at the moment, as well as the series of outcroppings higher up, with their tremendous views towards Rainier and the surrounding peaks and valleys. There are about four or five excellent viewpoints along the way, dramatic (and windy!) promontories. Palisades' steepest portions are in the Dalles Falls area, especially going up the staircase (see pic). Once you're within about a mile and a half of the junction with Little Ranger, the trail gets more weather-beaten. Presently, some sort of cottony weed (?) is lying across parts of the trail up here, and cotton is wafting through the air. My husband looked like a partially unstuffed teddy bear as he emerged from the trail to meet me at the junction. This part of the trail requires route-finding in the snowy or winter months because the trail is not as clearly defined here as in other parts. There's no problem keeping to the trail now, but an inexperienced hiker could get confused as the seasons deposit fallen leaves, larger windfall, and snow.

Fall colors: Beautiful right now! Maples along the lower portions of both the Palisades and Little ranger trails are resplendent with brilliant orange and yellow!

Minor Obstacles: Little Ranger is a straightforward trail, heading down for nearly five miles from the Palisades junction. This portion of the trail, as well as parts of the Palisades, is a favorite for mountain bikers. We saw two today, both friendly enough as they passed by. The obstacles? The switchbacks between the L.R./Palisades junction and the Little Ranger Peak viewpoint junction (two miles down) are extremely churned up. After a summer of bikers charging down the trail, these switchbacks have eroded into loose, formless, steep cascades of dirt. Soon they will turn to pure mud or freeze with ice, and they will be treacherous little areas indeed-- invitations to a broken bone. I have attached a picture, but my phone cannot capture the angle of these switchbacks, which I'd say is about forty-five degrees for several of them. Lower down the trail, below the viewpoint, bikers have simply cut away from the trail altogether, driving deep grooves across ground cover, mosses, and, I'm sure, seedlings as they blast down to the next switchback. Very irresponsible, selfish and ignorant. Grrrrr.

Solitude: we saw no other hikers today, only the two individual bikers on the LR part of the trail. It's a lovely hike right now, but bring layers and poles, and wear shoes with traction. Happy hiking, Everyone!