White River, Palisades, Noble Knob, Greenwater and Echo Lakes, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek & Greenwater Trail to Lost Lakes — Friday, Jul. 29, 2016

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

This was a long trail run starting the Ranger Creek camping area across the White River. We followed the White River trail to #1198 which I am not positive of the name but it didn't come up on the list. This trail climbs steadily, including a staircase, past the falls and to some amazing views over the palisades to Mt Rainier and the airstrip below. From the Ranger Creek Cabin, we continued up 1173 to intersect with the Nobel Knob trail (1184) to Corral Pass. The wildflowers are still on strong, but no berries in this section. The trail is in great shape. From Corral Pass we took the Greenwater Trail 1176 down along the river to Echo Lake and beyond. From the lake on the trail rolls gently down. This trail has a few downed trees but overall in fine shape and shady. We somehow missed the intersection with 1186 so it might not be that evident. Right after a big bridge we filled our water and took the intersection up towards Noble Knob on 1185. This trail is far less travelled but no issues. There were some huckleberries along the way but not many. It climbs steadily past lovely Lost Lake and towards the top has some amazing views. It then pops out into the open and wraps around Noble Knob. At the next intersection it is just .4 up to the Knob viewpoint and totally worth the side trip for the 360 degree views. After some pictures, we headed back down 1173 then behind the ranger cabin to descend the Ranger Creek trail. There is one big washout on that trail about a mile or so down and a little tricky to get around but doable. It goes down switchbacks for what feels like forever then comes out back on the White River trail right where we started. ~38 mile loop.