Shriner Peak Trail

Shriner Peak Trail is a strenuous out-and-back from SR 123 to a historic fire lookout near the summit. The park lists 8 miles round trip; other mapped estimates run to about 8.4–8.6 miles. The stored trail corridor is about 4.13 miles one way, and you return on the same path. Allow about 5–7 hours for the climb, breaks and time at the top. This is a sustained, steep day hike rather than a casual stroll, but it rewards the work with a rare 360-degree view from one of the park’s remaining fire lookouts.

The route begins in shade beside Panther Creek, among Douglas-fir, cedar and hemlock. That lasts for roughly three-quarters of a mile. Then the path enters an old burn and climbs steeply across open slopes. Most of the next two and a half miles have little shade. The first broad view of Mount Rainier comes around mile 2.5, but the climb keeps going; don’t mistake the first view for the summit.

After the steep climb to the ridge, there is about a half-mile along its crest before the final switchbacks. Shriner Lake sits far below the route around mile 3.5. The last mile is dustier and rockier, and the lookout comes into view about a quarter-mile before the top. From the summit, look across the Ohanapecosh Valley to Mount Rainier and the Cascades; on a clear day, the panorama also takes in Little Tahoma, Mount Adams, Goat Rocks and Mount St. Helens. For a photo, include the lookout with Rainier behind it rather than framing the mountain alone.

The two-story Shriner Peak Fire Lookout was built in 1932 and is one of four lookouts remaining in the park. Firewatchers used it to spot smoke and lightning, then reported what they saw by telephone. It saw heavy use during a July 1934 fire that burned 630 acres of park land. Aerial surveillance later became the main way to spot fires, though the lookouts are still used occasionally. The wilderness camp is just south of the building; the lookout itself is not available for overnight stays.