Pinnacle Saddle, Plummer Peak — Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025

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.