Panorama Point — Local services in Enumclaw

We were lucky enough to be able to do this hike on a beautiful blue skies day with no wind on November 14th!! We rented showshoes (and tire chains, as they’re required after Nov. 1) at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford, but saw plenty of people hiking up in boots. On NICE snowy days when other people have been up, there will be a obvious boot path of the way to go to get to the top. It took us 2 hours to get up and 1 hour to get back down, (and I’m a little out of practice.) Husband would’ve made it up even quicker. But the guy at the rental place estimated 3 hrs so he was right on. The last push of the hike you’re pretty much hiking up a black diamond and it is not the most fun thing ever. So just be prepared for that. It’s worth it obviously, but it was rough there for a minute ngl. We were comfortable in jackets with a long sleeve underneath. Definitely don’t underestimate the sweat you’ll work up hiking the trail. This was my first time hiking in snow like this and I had to take a layer off because I was getting way to hot. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Be aware the gate to Paradise closes at 4pm and it’s about a 20ish minute drive from the Pan Point parking lot to Longmire, so make sure you leave enough time to get back to the gate before it closes. We started our hike at 12pm and made it back to Longmire at 3:30pm, but we would’ve rather gotten there earlier. Check the Mount Rainer Cams on the NP website to see if the mountain is out, what the parking lot...

I love doing this hike in winter or summer. In summer this is a beautiful set of 'stairs' with squirrels and marmots around.

In winter it's a very different hike, one has to be careful about avalanche danger, and you may require an iceaxe and some microspikes to get up safely.

Also glissading down from panorama point is amazing but please use an ice axe and helmet appropriately.

This can become very crowded as it is very popular.

You can also see Helen's and Mount Adams on...

It is breathtaking. The beginning start as a trail with asphalt and this part was crowded but we keep going and it turn in to mountain trail that leeds to panorama view point. The view is breathtaking.i was surprised to see bathroom build in to the stone wall. Roundtrip is 3.5hours very plesent and family friendly. We went all the way up with the kids - 9y &12y. I would suggest having extra water with you on a warm day. A lot of wild life out...