The goal was Foss Peak via Pinnacle Saddle. I wanted to try a different approach instead of messing with the Unicorn Peak boulder field of doom. This approach was pretty decent and scenic, however, I ended up running out of time between the approaching first snowfall of the season and the Longmire gate closing at 4PM. I really didn’t want to be in a whiteout trying to wrap around the south end of The Castle. So a couple hundred feet from the summit of Foss Peak, I opted to turn around and just enjoy the views because in a couple hours, the Tatoosh Range would have its first blanket of snow. Didn’t see any but bear scat was around and hoof prints from the mountain goats were spotted. By the time I returned to the Saddle, weather turned to freezing rain. I will certainly be back. Looks like it’s time to get the snowshoes ready. Happy Trails!

We came to Rainier for some fall colors and peak-bagging. The weather, especially in the morning, made for a spectacular outing!

We arrived at Reflection Lake/Pinnacle Saddle trailhead around 8am and got our gear sorted. The hike to the saddle was beautiful: views of sunlit Rainier behind us the whole way, dew and frost on bushes, and a lovely dirt trail which gave way to crushed rock higher up. At the saddle, we had views of Adams, Hood, and Helens before haze obscured those views around lunchtime. In the morning, we were also treated to frosty huckleberries on our hike to Lane Peak.

We spent the rest of our day along the ridge, scrambling to the top of Plummer, Denman, Lane, Pinnacle, and the Castle. Some of these were more just hikes, others required scrambling, and we needed ropes/harnesses to rappel from Castle. In total, it took us about 9 hours to do 9 miles. Sounds like a leisurely day when you don’t count the scrambling!

Beautiful day hike up to Pinnacle Saddle and Plummer Peak in the Tatoosh Range. If you are looking for views, this short hike has them.

The park designates this hike as strenuous probably because of the elevation gain but it is very short.

Pinnacle Saddle is an easy hike. Plummer Peak, I found out afterwards, is actually a scramble due to the small section at the top. It does have a clear boot path that you can easily walk up. I am not a scrambler so I find it difficult to make the distinction between where a hike ends and a scramble starts at this point in my life. In my mind they seamlessly coexist "most of the time" but it is a scramble but looked, felt and was certainly safe enough for me. Someone might explain it to me here.

PARK ENTRY: Enter early at the Nisqually gate and drive to the Reflection Lakes parking pull out. Trailhead is just across the street. The first 1/4 mile is through the trees, the last is on loose rock so take your time.

FACILITIES: No facilities at trailhead or water at Paradise. Come prepared. The traffic backup at the gate was about 1 mile at 2:30 pm.

BEST PHOTO SHOTS: #1 Drive another 300' to the furthest parking area for the reflection of the lake. #2 From the saddle, walk to the right (west) from the Pinnacle Saddle across the ridge a short distance for the large view of Rainier at the base of Plummer Peak. In spring there is a tarn there that also makes a nice reflection.

SMOKE: As we were leaving the park, the smoke was starting to move in. I would check the conditions over the next week. Hopefully the rain will quiet things down again.

This is a very short hike with big rewards but does take a bit of time because of the loose rock and steepness at times. 

3.4 miles RT 1400' elevation gain if you wander at the base of Plummer or head close to the top.

The trail to the saddle is in good condition, a washout has been worked around about 3/4 the way up.

Did Pinnacle Peak and Lane Peak as well. NOTE: these peaks are NOT for the casual hiker. There is extreme fall risk on both and you should know your rock climbing abilities before trying these. I made this report because we saw people clearly not prepared for this trying to do the climb. After we finished, we talked to a ranger who told us Search and Rescue is typically called in 1-2 times per WEEK to help people on Pinnacle Peak (not the trail to the saddle).

Photo for reference of steepness.

We went before the sun came out, so there wasn't much in the way of views. But the hike was great. There was a fairly steady mist the whole way up and down.