Boundary Trail to Florence Peak

Boundary Trail to Florence Peak is an 8-mile out-and-back from the Carbon River entrance, climbing through forest to the Alki Crest ridge and a rocky summit. The route gains about 3,700 feet; plan on a full day, roughly seven to nine hours, for the sustained uphill and final scramble. The standard listing says 8 miles round trip, while one winter outing recorded nearly 5 miles from the trailhead to just below the summit. Snow, detours and routefinding can stretch the distance, so don't plan around a short day.

From Rainforest Loop, the path crosses a clear creek beneath cedar, hemlock and Sitka spruce, then leaves the loop at a broken bridge. The broad tread turns into steep switchbacks over soft forest duff, roots and stones. At roughly 1.3–1.8 miles, an unnamed waterfall and creek crossing make a reasonable turnaround if you want a shorter lower-forest walk; a winter GPS report measured farther than the trail description. The slanted creek bed can be slick. Beyond it, the trail narrows and gets rockier; it skirts an old landslide before climbing steeply to the ridge near the three-mile mark.

At the pass, turn left toward Alki Crest and Florence Peak. The upper path is faint and not always obvious; snow and blowdowns can hide it, so bring routefinding skills and be ready to turn around if the line disappears. The trees keep most long views closed until you are just below Florence Peak.

Near the top, the forest gives way to a rocky ridge with wide mountain views. The final summit block is a short, steep Class 2 scramble on solid rock when snow-free. Snowpack can change that finish into a much more serious, slippery slope; climbing experience and appropriate equipment may be needed depending on the season. The nearby viewpoint offers the broad view without stepping onto the last summit block.

This is one of the remaining fragments of the historic Boundary Trail, once used by park rangers to patrol Mount Rainier's perimeter. Mossy, closely spaced forest gives way to second-growth trees and old stumps near the park boundary, and large hemlocks transition to Pacific silver fir higher on the climb.

The usual starting point is the Carbon River entrance parking area by Rainforest Loop. The small lot holds about a dozen vehicles and has a vault toilet, picnic table and information kiosk. There is no food or drinking-water service listed along the route. Dogs are not allowed on this park trail.