Skyline Trail Loop

The Skyline Trail Loop is a 5.5-mile circuit from the Muir Steps, climbing past Glacier Vista to Panorama Point, crossing the High Skyline, then circling back by Sluiskin Falls, the Stevens–Van Trump Memorial, Paradise Valley and Myrtle Falls. The full loop totals 5.5 miles with about 1,700 feet of climbing; allow around 4½ hours. It is a strenuous way to see the high country, but the changing views make the work worthwhile. If you only want the waterfall, the separate paved walk to Myrtle Falls is a much shorter outing.

Counterclockwise gives you a gentler start through Paradise; clockwise gets to the big views sooner, with a steep climb right away. Either way, the first stretch rises sharply for about 0.4 mile before easing. Stone steps lead toward Glacier Vista. Stay on the built trail through the subalpine meadows: the vegetation is fragile, and several paths leave the Paradise trailhead area, so follow Skyline signs at the early junctions.

At Glacier Vista, Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier feel close enough to study. It is a natural place to pause and catch your breath before the upper loop. Hoary marmots are often seen along this stretch. Some hikers turn back here, but doing so leaves out Panorama Point and the full circuit’s eastern half.

The climb reaches Panorama Point roughly two miles from Paradise. On a clear day, look beyond Paradise Valley toward the Tatoosh Range and the distant volcanoes to the south; a small pit toilet is available here in summer. Continue on the High Skyline route. It goes around the steep, persistent icy slope on the lower line and rejoins the Skyline above the Golden Gate junction. The upper ground is rocky, with snow patches, loose moraine and small rivulets as the trail drops toward the valley.

At Golden Gate, the shortcut back to Paradise trims about a mile from the hike. For the full Skyline, stay on the loop toward Sluiskin Falls and the Paradise Glacier Trail junction, then pass the memorial and descend into Paradise Valley. The trail climbs gently again toward Myrtle Falls. Cross the bridge over Edith Creek, then take the short spur on the left for the waterfall view before following the trail back to Paradise.

The Paradise trails are part of a historic district. Skyline follows much of a road alignment that was proposed for Paradise but never built, so today’s footpath reflects an early choice to keep the meadows from becoming a road corridor. The stone bench at Stevens–Van Trump Memorial recalls the first known ascent of Rainier by P. B. Van Trump and General Hazard Stevens in 1870, with Yakima guide Sluiskin. The Mountaineers and Mazamas placed the memorial in 1924.