Hike of the Week: Shriner Peak

Blazing views of Mount Rainier from the Shriner Fire Lookout

Shriner Peak

Rainier’s loneliest lookout offers sizzling views




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

July 21, 2006

Quick FactsLocation: Mount Rainier National Park
Land Agency: National Park Service
Roundtrip: 8.5 miles
Elevation gain: 3,400 feet
Access: Trailhead located on SR 123 five miles north of Ohanapecosh campground or 7.5 miles south of Cayuse Pass.
Green Trails Map: Mt Rainier east no. 270
Notes: dogs prohibited

Rejoice; the washout on SR 123 at Cayuse Pass has been repaired. Who says the government can’t complete a project rapidly when they need to? It’s time to head over to Shriner Peak now before hordes of hikers head this way. Wait a minute-hordes of hikers never descend upon (or more accurately-ascend upon) this relatively difficult but incredibly scenic trail. Reason? It’s fairly steep and with a route that traverses southern slopes denuded of cover thanks to a long past forest fire, this trail can be pretty darn hot.
The loneliest of Rainier’s four remaining fire lookouts, Shriner guards the quiet southeast country of the park. Unlike Mounts Fremont, Tolmie, and Gobblers Knob, this 5,834’ peak never gets crowded. Consequently, chances are extremely good along this trail for viewing wildlife. Much of the peak’s lower slopes were engulfed in wildfire (before the lookout was constructed) creating open meadows and prime wildlife habitat. Bear, elk, deer, and grouse are abundant on Shriner. Cougar, marmot, and ground squirrels scamper about as well.
Shriner offers rare glimpses of “the Mountain’s” east slopes. Towering Little Tahoma Peak and the craggy Cowlitz Chimneys are in full view. Especially beautiful is the panorama of the Ohanapecosh Valley spread out before you; thousands of acres of unbroken virgin forest-the very reason why the lookout was built. But, even when fire danger is low, the views from this mountain are hot!