Seattle Autumn Foliage: Naches Peak Loop

🚩 GPS Location: Tipsoo Lake Comfort Station or Naches Peak Loop Trailhead 🚸 Trail Length: 3.3 miles round trip 🆙 Elevation Gain: 636 ft 👩‍🦯‍➡️ Hiking Direction: If parking at Tipsoo Lake Comfort Station, start from the left path along Tipsoo Lake. If parking at Naches Peak Loop Trailhead, begin from the right trail at the wooden bridge entrance. Both routes form a clockwise loop back to the parking lot. The trail is gentle, with the second half offering stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. 🅿️ Parking: Though Naches Peak is outside Mount Rainier National Park’s main entrance, a Northwest Forest Pass is required ($5 daily / $30 annual). Trail maintenance relies on these fees—many online guides claiming the trail is free are incorrect. 🧐 Drawbacks: The dusty path gets crowded, kicking up clouds of dirt. Toddlers under 1 meter tall essentially "eat dust" while walking—tissue wipes reveal blackened noses. For the last fifth of the trail, expect to carry young children every few minutes. #SeattleHiking #NachesPeak #AutumnFoliage #MountRainier #FamilyHiking#travel guide#Seattle diary#trip diary#Seattle life