Hike to Comet Falls, Van Trump Park and Mildred Point, Mount Rainier N P, September, 2022

This is a popular hiking trail at Mount Rainier N P! I suggest getting to the trailhead early as it fills up quickly during the summer! Fortunately I was the first one to the trailhead when I did this hike in early September. I got started with a couple other hikers about 7:30 am. The trail to Comet Falls offers great views of Van Trump Creek as well as peek-a-boo views of Rainier. I saw a few wildflowers, but they were mostly past season. I hiked this trail 2 years ago in mid-July… that’s a better time if you’re looking to see more of the colorful wildflowers this trail has to offer. Awesome views of Comet Falls! You can get pretty close if you want a mist or a shower! I extended the hike by continuing up to Van Trump Park and Mildred Point- more amazing views of the mountain! If you have the opportunity to hike this trail, I’d recommend heading up there. The snow may linger into July or August- so please check trail conditions. Hiked on September 8, 2022 8 miles (13 km) 3,000 elevation gain (914 M) Waterfalls: Bloucher Falls - 3 drops of 124 feet Comet Falls - main fall 301 feet, 4 drops of 400 feet Upper Comet Falls - 1 drop 35 feet Glaciers: Kautz Glacier Van Trump Glacier (group of glaciers) Wildflowers: Stonecrop (yellow) Mountain Bog Gentian (blue) Mountain Monkeyflower (yellow) Lewis Monkeyflower (pink) Comet Falls - Washington Trails Association MODERATE https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/c... Mildred Point - Washington Trails Association HARD https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/m... P B Van Trump 1838-1916 (from Wikipedia) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._B.... First documented ascent of Mount Rainier with Hazard Stevens in 1870. He made several more ascents including leading John Muir in 1888. Native peoples have lived in the Mount Rainier (Tacoma / Tahoma) area for a long time. They knew the mountain well and hunted up in the alpine meadows, but they didn’t believe in climbing to the top. (Summit elevation is 14,410’ and requires crossing glaciers)