Alta Vista Trail Loop

Alta Vista Trail Loop is a 1.7-mile loop from Paradise's upper parking lot. It climbs the Skyline Trail to the Dancefloor junction, adds a short out-and-back spur to Alta Vista's 5,940-foot summit, then returns by the East Alta Vista branch. Published figures range from about 1.5 to 1.75 miles; this route follows the upper-lot loop with the summit spur. Allow about an hour and a half for roughly 600 feet of climbing. It is a compact, worthwhile choice when you want an open mountain view without committing to the much longer Skyline circuit.

The route starts near the Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and gains height quickly. Much of the tread is paved, but sections are uneven, narrow or rocky; the short distance can feel steeper than it looks, especially at Paradise's elevation. At the broad, flat Dancefloor junction, follow the Alta Vista spur to the summit and return to the junction before taking the East Alta Vista route downhill. The upper and lower Paradise lots both provide access, but this mapped loop starts and ends at the upper lot.

The viewpoint is a small rocky, partly wooded knob with a bench and nearby ledges. Openings to the south and east look over Paradise Valley toward the Tatoosh Range, Mount Adams and Goat Rocks; other openings take in Mount Rainier and the Edith Creek basin. The views change quickly as you move around the summit, so take a moment to look in more than one direction. Stay on the established path and keep back from the ledges.

Summer brings subalpine flowers such as lupine, paintbrush, gentian and aster. In fall, low shrubs and vine maples turn red and gold across the open slopes. Hoary marmots are sometimes seen among the meadow rocks; give them room and do not feed them. The meadow is fragile, so keep to the tread even when snow covers a patch of trail.