I hiked the full 15+ mile loop starting at Palisades TH, past Little Ranger Peak, down Little Ranger trail, then back along White River to the car.  Microspikes are necessary due to frequent ice as well as snow (18"+ in places) on the trail.  Snowshoes were of no help along the upper ridge line as people had hiked this route 4 days ago (see prior trip report) and put deep postholes on the trail.  I attempted to snowshoe but the trail is too narrow to walk on fresh snow and the postholes were deep (12-18") causing my ankle to turn if I stepped on them.  Snow pack was crusty/icy so microspikes worked best though I am short (5'5") so the postholes involved lots of high stepping!  Deeper snow started past the last lookout, all along the ridge line, and down the first section of switchbacks on Little Ranger.  Few trees down on the section from Palisades TH to Little Ranger Peak, a few big ones down on the Little Ranger decent and a BIG blowdown on White River near Buck Creek access from 410 (no mountain biking on that connector for awhile).   Total trip time was 8 hours so plan your daylight accordingly.  No one else on the trail all day.

LOST cellphone (Samsung S9) between the shelter and Little Ranger Peak. If found, then please message me at Abby.allison@outlook.com
Started out at the Palisades TH at 8am and completed the full loop. The last 1/4 up to Little Ranger Peak and across to the shelter and first mile was deep snow with no nice boot path to follow. Trail was obvious thanks to a couple others passing through since the last snow. It’s definitely doable but a bit exhausting. However, highly entertaining. Somewhere between post-holing up to my butt and slipping and falling, the phone popped out of a back pocket. Searched for a couple hours with no luck. This is a lovely hike. My first time. I’m not sure if this will be as accessible to the average hiker like myself for much longer.

Spoiler alert: we didn't make it to Dalles Ridge, but made it just short of the junction with Palisades. I figure we were about 1.5 miles shy of Dalles Ridge. This was due to recognizing that we were crossing avalanche chutes. Still, we had a fantastic day, and considering everything that's going on right now--pandemic and The Other--that is something!

Five days ago, we hiked from the Camp Sheppard parking lot to the TH for Little Ranger (2 miles), then up to the viewpoint (another 2.85). Today, we parked off-highway at the TH for Little Ranger Peak and Dalles Ridge, which is not obvious. The parking area is about two miles east of Camp Sheppard, on the north/left side of the highway, just short of the Buck Creek turn off.

Our goal today was Dalles Ridge. Temperature at 9:30 a.m. was 34 degrees F, with zero chance of rain in the forecast. We figured that the ridge may be reachable, given the warm temps and rains of the past few days. Indeed, it was a gorgeous day. Five days ago, there had been black ice on the way to the Little Ranger Peak viewpoint, but today it was virtually ice free until just after the turnoff to the Ranger Peak viewpoint. There, light snow soon became several inches deep in places, then dense, thick, compacted ice. I figure we hiked about 1.3 miles before pulling a U-ey, due to the fact that we seemed to have hit a series of avalanche chutes. 

About 1/2 mile beyond the Ranger Peak viewpoint, the snow became less dusting and more snow. This happened rather abruptly, and soon we were hiking on compact ice. We put on microspikes at one key switchback that was icy as all get out. (I love me some microspikes!). After that, we charged ahead until it became obvious that we were hiking across an avalanche chute or two. I think we made it about a half mile or so shy of the junction for Palisades.

Obstacles today included three blowdowns within the first 1/4 mile from the TH, plus several others that were past the viewpoint. These are navigable, but require the ability to straddle large trees and clamber over branches and snow. I wouldn't go where we went today without microspikes and poles. Crowd-wise, we encountered only three souls, all friendly and physically distancing themselves. Figure we hiked about 8.5 miles today. Lovely area!

Having closely monitored weather and driving conditions to ensure they conformed to our requirements (minimal chance of rain + not too dangerously icy road conditions), we headed to our favorite stomping grounds: the Mt. Rainier area. Today's plan was to park at Camp Sheppard and catch the White River Trail to the Ranger Peak/Dalles Ridge trail. Mission accomplished! We didn't go all the way to Dalles Ridge, mostly due to daylight time.

Camp Sheppard is a good place to park for this hike. As opposed to the small parking area across the highway (410) from the Buck Creek turnoff, Camp Sheppard is a large lot about 2 miles west that is safely off-highway and has outhouses, too. (Not that I particularly care re: the outhouses, which always gross me out no matter what). The shady lot was very icy this morning, but unless you decide to punch it and make donuts, you'll be fine.

From the Camp Sheppard lot, we took the main trail. If you follow our route, stay left at the start. You'll pass a little amphitheater/assembly area for the Boy Scouts (note the old growth Doug firs there!). Then you'll come to the first sign. Head towards Snoquera Falls and the White River trail. Then you will come to a second junction (I have included photos of the signs at both junctions). Your aim, if you follow our route today, will be to follow the White River trail--remember that this trail parallels Highway 410, so if you start heading sharply uphill, you are not on the right track. At this second junction, which is about half a mile from the first sign, take the middle fork. Do not head to Skookum Flats or up towards Snoquera Falls. You will see three paths/options as you come upon the sign--take the center option. I am writing this because the signage is not exactly clear.

We started out by accidentally taking a short Boy Scout interpretive trail, the first right turn after leaving the parking lot, called Moss Lake (where was the lake?). While this was a mistake, it was actually fortuitous, as the trail features a number of GORGEOUS old growth cedars! I recommend checking the trail out!

After our detour on the Boy Scout trail, we arrived at the second sign (mentioned above) and took the middle fork--the White River trail. We hiked 2 miles along this pretty and very pleasant trail before arriving at the sign announcing the way to Ranger Peak. (This is right by that off-highway 410 parking area for Ranger Peak). The White River trail continues 1/4 mile to the place where you begin your ascent to Ranger Peak.

The Ranger Peak trail is in great condition. Recent reports have cited 2 blowdowns near the start of the hike, but both are fairly easy to navigate. We hiked to the Little Ranger Peak viewpoint, about 2.6 miles up, and the trail was clear of snow. There was black ice, but it was mostly beneath a bed of fir needles. I didn't slip once and neither did my partner (we're a coupla Wrinklies, so tend to watch out for these things). The viewpoint was a great place to eat lunch--bathed in sun at 12:30, and with a view south and west to the White River and peaks beyond. It was chilly but lovely today. Layer up--cold, brisk wind the higher you hike.

We spent about 20 minutes eating lunch and enjoying the sun and the view before becoming rather chilled and deciding to pack up and head down. The trail is mostly south-facing, so the forest was bathed in sunlight for much of our day. It was a lovely, mossy wonderland with many old growth Doug firs. We saw very few people--about a dozen, each party within a mile of each TH (Camp Sheppard and Ranger Peak). Mask compliance was about 67%. All in all, a beautiful, quiet place with lovely old growth trees and moss. We hiked about 10 miles RT today.

Conditions today: 30 degrees at 10:25 a.m., when we hit the trail. Both trails clear of snow.  There was black ice right beneath the layer of fir needles on the trail. Black ice started about 3/4 mile below the Ranger Peak viewpoint. Because of the fir needles, it was not slippery--no need for spikes or even poles today.

We parked alongside the #1199 access almost across from the Buck Creek entrance with 1 other car at 12:30. It was 41 degrees and rain was imminent. I wore  a raincoat and shorts with gaiters and my feet stayed dry and I was never too cold, intermittently using gloves and a stocking cap. 2 trees down on The White River Trail just after the access point.

Trail is snow free and dry to 0.25 miles beyond the viewpoint. Increasing coverage 1-2 inches and slushy over the next 0.75 miles. 3.3 miles from trailhead snow depth triples but it's less slippery. At this point you will be feeling any wind coming over the ridge and today that was cold. The rain started coming down as we entered the opened up area just ahead of the major burned out area. Turned around here and headed back really without much slipping despite no traction and just poles. I saw Yaktrak imprints in the snow from the couple we passed on the way up. The must have turned back somewhere around here as well. Felt good to get off the snow so we ran down. It was getting dark and it wasn't even 4 yet. Took the White River Trail across Ranger Creek just to see. Got back to the car at 3:30 just ahead of the heavy rain. We saw 3 people total today.