Trip Report
Basic Snowshoe - Reflection Lakes
Four miles of outrageous views as we get an upclose and personal look at the Tatoosh range. This short snowshoe on the road to Paradise will make your heart dizzy as you take in the breath-taking views.
Lisa Elliott
- Fri, Apr 4, 2025
- Basic Snowshoe - Reflection Lakes
- Reflection Lakes
- Snowshoeing
- Successful
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
We started the weekend off right on this trail to Reflection Lakes with the Mountaineers from Tacoma.
PASS use your interagency pass, senior pass or paid pass to enter Mt Rainier National Parks Nisqually entrance.
GATE ENTRANCE the upper gate at Longmire to Paradise opened at 9 am. It is closed Tuesday-Thursday this winter season due to a staffing shortage. Chains must be carried in your vehicle.
PARKING The drive up from the Nisqually gate to Longmire was icy and slick in a few spots as we continued past Longmire. Narada Falls parking had just a few cars when we arrived at 10:00. Warm bathroom nearby.
THE TRIP Just beyond the comfort station the trail begins to the left. The one seen in the lead photo is the shortcut up the hill many skiers take with crampons.
Our trip was an out and back lollypop loop. I am always reluctant to go out in the way of avalanche terrain of Stevens Canyon Rd. but it was low and a crisp morning as we navigated using the prominent snowshoe and ski tracks in front of us.
Making our way parallel to the road to Paradise and just around the corner was Eagle Peak, Chutla and Wahpenayo appear in the background. To the south with Tum Tum down in the valley of the Nisqually with Iron, Copper and Pyramid to the west. Topped in white with a gleaming blue background made for spectacular contrast on this bluebird spring day.
Then we turn around to see Tahoma in all her glory.
Tatoosh means "breast" in the Chinook Jargon, in reference to the two large rock outcrops on the south face of Butter Peak. The Tatoosh Range was used historically by Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz) Indians.
As the snow turns to butter in the beating sun, we approach views of Lane, Denman, Plummer, Pinnacle and The Castle. 
Reaching Reflection Lakes and relaxing for lunch on our picnic blanket of snow, I realize I've become a regular this year with this trip being my 5th this winter.
As my "lunch legs' take over my will to stand we slowly make our way as we loop up and over the safer route and more stunning the views of Tahoma complete with a few hints of young bear tracks in the snow off to the left and other signs of birds and bunnies spackled here and there.
HAZARDS Avalanche report from NWAC was low today however we still chose the preferred safer route as we checked out the trail for any signs of instability. Tree wells were quite big but obviously avoidable on the ridge trip back.
4 miles- 700' elevation gain