Description

The Van Trump Park zone is a stunning area within the Southern side of Mount Rainier with numerous options for ski touring potential.

Being much less popular then the Paradise area the main reason for this seems to be the approach.

While a bit more challenging to get into the alpine once you are there expect a stunning view of both the upper slopes of Mount Rainier and the vast mountains to the South.

Leaving from the Comet Falls Parking lot head up said trail with a nasty traverse right above the creek until reaching the waterfall.

Finally you can start climbing up through the mellow slopes of the forests heading north until reaching the lower slopes of the upper basin.

Now that you are in the alpine follow the main ridge until reaching the lower slopes of an area referred to as the Turtle. You can skin up nontechnical slopes all the way to 9,800 feet before turning around and starting the descent back down.

Keep following your uptrack making sure to stay up on the high ridge all the way back down to the valley.

Once in the valley and if it is still snow covered switch to skinning and take the long traverse back out. While this tour is fun during the winter I actually recommend this in the late spring.

Since it is south facing slopes these would be best in corn not to mention the trail up to Comet Falls would be melted out. To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/mt-rainier/van-trump-park/