If you’re looking for an enchanting hike near Mount Rainier that won’t take you all day to complete, then Comet Falls trail may be perfect for you. This stunning, three-and-a-half-mile trek will wind you through some of Paradise’s most beautiful forests and lead you to a quintessential alpine waterfall. While there are plenty of jaw-dropping hikes in Washington, many of them will ask more of you than Comet Falls. This approachable adventure is absolutely worth dragging out your hiking boots.
Mount Rainier's Paradise got its name for a reason and the National Park Services reported over two million visitors in 2022 alone. Because of this popularity, you'll likely encounter other hikers on the trail. If being the only human for miles is your preference, you may want to arrive early to beat the crowds.
Even before you reach Comet Falls, you'll enjoy plenty of incredible, panoramic views of the surrounding area. Eagle-eyed visitors will be able to spot birds of prey hovering overhead, as well as mountain goats, pikas, and marmots darting around the rocky slopes.
A benefit of the hike being busy is that it's meticulously maintained by park rangers and trail volunteers. Still, you'll have a few moments to feel like you're cutting your own course through the wilderness. A split log creek-crossing injects a bit of adventure into the walk, giving you a visceral sense of your distance from civilization.
One of my favorite things to do on waterfall hikes is listen. Not only will patient observers catch bird calls in the canopy, but you'll notice the sounds of white water building as you approach your final looking point.
Though you're likely to encounter better conditions between June and September, more intrepid hikers have made the most of the winter season by attempting the trail in snow shoes. Even if that's not your speed, you'll still enjoy the walk in fall, when the leaves acquire a beautiful, reddish hue.
Your reward for your efforts will be a spectacular look at Comet Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Mount Rainier National Park. Towering at over 300 feet, it descends from a rocky outcrop into a picturesque mountain pool.
There’s definitely a contingent of Washington hikers who look down on easier trails. Leave them, their expensive gear, and their snobbery behind. Getting out into nature doesn’t need to mean conditioning yourself for a twenty-mile trek. If you’re looking for an accessible, beautiful hike near Mount Rainier, Comet Falls is the perfect place to start! Be sure to check out other trails nearby. The park is filled to the brim with stunning paths worth exploring.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
