Parking
Start at the Tipsoo Lake access near Chinook Pass and arrange a shuttle or second car at the Silver Falls Loop Trailhead in Ohanapecosh.
Overview
About Eastside Trail
Eastside Trail is an 11.2-mile one-way traverse from Tipsoo Lake near Chinook Pass to the Silver Falls Loop Trailhead in Ohanapecosh. It drops from subalpine meadows into the Ohanapecosh Valley through mountain and lowland forest, following Chinook Creek and the Ohanapecosh River. Plan about six to seven hours on foot and arrange a shuttle or second vehicle before starting; the route does not return to Tipsoo.
Why go
- Strong Mount Rainier views near the high trailhead
- Several waterfalls and creek corridors along one traverse
- Clear transition from subalpine meadows to old-growth forest
Heads up
- One-way logistics require a shuttle or second vehicle
- Long route with a sustained, steep descent from the high end
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Mount Rainier map
Full mapElevation1,978–5,305 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
7 active Mount Rainier alerts
- ClosureOhanapecosh Developed Area closed for constructionMentions this trailThe entire Ohanapecosh Developed Area is closed through the construction project, expected to continue through February 2027; visitors may not enter or recreate there.Official details
- ClosureGrove of the Patriarchs closed; parking reopenedMentions this trailThe Grove of the Patriarchs remains closed to all recreation because severe flooding in November 2021 caused major structural failure of its 1961 suspension bridge, which was removed for safety.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Mount Rainier Tour Guide
Your drive to Eastside Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Mount Rainier National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Mount Rainier audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Tipsoo Lake and Chinook's Trail Bridge0:00 / 0:35
“Up ahead is the Tipsoo Lake area near Chinook Pass, a good stop for a short lakeshore walk among the meadows.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Mount Rainier Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- When Snow Turns Pink
- Why the River Looks Milky
- Worms That Live in Ice
- An Elk's Antlers Start Over
- 77 audio storiesacross Mount Rainier’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Mountain Goat, Black Bear, Wolverine, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 99 trails, 87 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Eastside Trail
Plan the point-to-pointStart at the Tipsoo Lake access and head south on Eastside Trail.
Start at the Tipsoo Lake access and head south on Eastside Trail. Stay on the main corridor at the Deer Creek and Owyhigh Lakes junction; the Owyhigh Lakes route is a separate hike. Continue past Stafford Falls and through the lower Silver Falls corridor to the Silver Falls Loop Trailhead. The mapped route ends there, so confirm that your pickup is at the same trailhead before you set out.
A steep upper descentThe high end passes subalpine meadows and open forest, with the best chances for broad Mount…
The high end passes subalpine meadows and open forest, with the best chances for broad Mount Rainier views near Tipsoo and Chinook Pass. The trail loses elevation steadily toward Deer Creek, and the upper section is the steeper part of the traverse. Expect uneven natural tread and roots as the path drops into denser forest.
Creeks and waterfallsSouth of Deer Creek, the grade eases as the trail follows the Chinook Creek drainage and then…
South of Deer Creek, the grade eases as the trail follows the Chinook Creek drainage and then the Ohanapecosh River. Chinook, Deer Creek, Stafford, and Ohanapecosh Falls add frequent water and rock features along the corridor. Keep a safe distance from fast water and use the established trail and bridges; do not assume a natural crossing is safe when flows are high.
From subalpine to old growthThe route moves through several forest zones, from subalpine vegetation at the pass to mature…
The route moves through several forest zones, from subalpine vegetation at the pass to mature lowland forest near Ohanapecosh. Old trees, mossy logs, wildflowers, and changing creekside vegetation give the long walk a clear sense of descent through the mountain. In late season, hikers may hear elk bugling among the fall colors.
What to bringTreat water collected along the way, carry a map and the Ten Essentials, and allow time for the…
Treat water collected along the way, carry a map and the Ten Essentials, and allow time for the full one-way walk. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on park trails. Overnight camping near Deer Creek requires a wilderness permit; day hikers should plan transportation for both ends rather than relying on a return route.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Mount Rainier
466 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
383 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
10 sightingsWolverineMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
58 sightingsElkMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
574 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,853 sightingsHoary MarmotMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Mount Rainier. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
