Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Friday, Sep. 2, 2011

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

Vickie and I decided this would be a good moderate, higher elevation hike with no snow pack on the trail that would not be crowded even on the Friday before the Labor Day Weekend. Actually, finding and getting on the trail were the biggest problems. We parked at Buck Creek (It’s on the right if you are coming from Enumclaw just after you pass mile marker 54.) and scrambled up the bank to the trail which is just opposite the highway from the Buck Creek entrance. I wouldn’t recommend this since the scramble is steep, difficult and is not part of the trail. A better option, if you park at Buck Creek like we did, is to take a left after walking from the parking area across the bridge to hwy 410, then up the highway a short distance and use an access trail on your right that is visible from the road. There is no sign to mark the trail. Once you are on the main trail it’s well defined and easy to follow. It parallels the road for a short distance then follows the creek for a half mile or so before turning sharply to the left at a trail junction sign. From here a series of well graded switchbacks will take you to the top of the ridge. A short side trail to the left takes you out to the peak. The views of Rainier and the White River valley are good but partially blocked by trees. If you scramble to the top of the rock peak views are no better and there is no good place to sit. There is a flat exposed point below the rock peak that looked like it might afford unobstructed views but you can only reach this by risking life and limb on the steep approaches on either side of the peak. We didn’t go to the point. We weren’t disappointed in this hike. It provided the solitude we were looking for. We only saw two other hikers, a man and his son with their dog. We did see mountain bikers but they were all courteous and not barreling down the mountain at breakneck speed. A quiet, relaxing hike with only the sounds of the forest. From the road to Little Ranger Peak: 2 hours Trip down: 1.5 hours Age of hikers: both 61