With the gate to Paradise closed, I chose a new adventure for me-Longmire to Narada Falls. Currently the road to Longmire is snow free. Early in the day, there were a couple slick patches and the parking lot at Longmire was a little slick. No snow at that elevation. The way to the bridge to Carter Falls past the Cougar Rock Campground has some patches of frozen snow, all doable without traction. The bridge has some frozen snow on it too, not much. On the other side of the bridge, it's pretty icy. People without traction were slipping and sliding. It's way early to put on spikes, but I had a ways to go and I wasn't in the mood to be nursing a sore whatever from a fall on rocks so I put them on. After Carter Falls the spikes were justified. It's icy for sure. There are a few blowdowns that are easy to go through, around, or over. There are a few sections with standing water just waiting to be a problem. All the bridges were in good shape and easy to navigate. Snow picks up just before Narada Falls and it's gluey even on spikes but packed down. I was the first person today at the falls so that was neato. I heard a lot of birds and saw one large bellied deer. Alltrails said 9.6 miles and 1700ish feet of elevation gain. I came across a few people who planned to go long distances later in the day and did not have headlamps or gear. National Park with well-maintained trails does not mean docile and free of serious dangers. One couple planned to head up to Paradise and walk back on the main road. Very last thing that I probably don't need to say to anyone who actually reads a trip report...please don't throw your trash on this beautiful land. 

Happy trekking! More snow is coming, so this report is only good until the next dumping.

Enjoyed this quiet, shady walk in the woods from the Cougar Rock campground down to Longmire.   There are a few views of the Nisqually River and Mount Rainier along the way.   

This was my first time snowshoeing, and since I knew the area, this trail was great for me as a beginner. The weather was perfect and roads were clear and dry. It had actually been pretty warm and some trail sections had no snow, especially during stream crossings, but it was clear which direction other hikers had taken and easy enough to follow. Saw a few other people on this Monday hike, some wearing snowshoes, some in microspikes, and some with no traction. Everyone seemed to be doing fine with whatever they brought. 

A bluebird day to be at The Mountain. The trail is packed snow with a few bare spots by a stream. It's icy in a number of spots too. We hiked without snowshoes to the Nisqually River across from the campground. We put on snowshoes for the way back and much appreciated them. Didn't see many people today.

This isn't the most scenic trail but the views of Rainier at the river by the campground were great. 

When we camp at Cougar Rock Campground, we enjoy doing this hike in the early evening going a gentle 1.7 miles downhill to Longmire.   The trail parallels the Nisqually River and is shaded by large trees.   

After dinner at the National Park Inn, we walk back on the trail past Cougar Rock Campground to the bridge across the Nisqually for some evening views of Mount Rainier.