Cowlitz Rocks Snowshoe

A beautiful  sunny March day took us back up to Paradise on Mount Rainier. This time our destination was Cowlitz Rocks, located past the Paradise Glacier Trail near Little Tahoma on Mt Rainier. Our hike today was 7 mile round trip with about 1600 ft of elevation gain. From the parking lot at Paradise we hiked down the Paradise Valley Road and up Mazama Ridge via 4th Crossing. We used micro spikes until we were atop Mazama Ridge, then switched to snowshoes.

On Mazama Ridge, looking toward Mt Rainier 

Hiking above Mazama Ridge along the Paradise Glacier Trail.

There was some new snow since we hiked up here last Sunday, but fortunately, there was still a packed down trail to follow. Here we are following fresh animal tracks towards Mt Rainier on the Paradise Glacier Trail.

 continuing on the Paradise Trail, looking south, Mt Adams behind the Tatoosh Range.

 Looking toward Cowlitz Rocks. The climb goes from the saddle to the north of Cowlitz Rocks, then ascending Cowlitz Rocks to the south. We saw some boot tracks going up Cowlitz Rocks from the south. We hoped this was a winter option up to Cowlitz Rocks and headed that way.

Climbing up to a shoulder (?) to the south of Cowlitz Rocks. Great views of Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt St Helens to the south behind the Tatoosh Range.

Close up of Mt Adams,

Mt Hood in Oregon (a ghostly image behind the Tatoosh)

 and Mt St Helens

 The boot track led up to this smaller prominence on Cowlitz Rocks, but ended on the left side where it was rocky, steep and very exposed. I got within 20 yards of the rocky section and turned back. Uncomfortable to take any photos until I returned back to the shoulder.

 My hiking companions were unable to find a way across this slope.  I want to return another day to take the regular easy scramble up form the north side of Cowlitz Rocks. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the views and lunch from the saddle. We did not see any other hikers today on Mazama Ridge or the Paradise Glacier Trail.

Panorama to the north, from Mt Rainer, Little Tahoma and Cowlitz Rocks.

 Panorama to the south, Mt Adams, the Tatoosh Range, Mt Rainier and Little Tahoma


Close up Cowlitz Glacier














Cowlitz Rocks on the left, promontory extending from the shoulder with views to the south

Heading back, it seemed like we were hiking to Mt Adams, then turned and heading toward Mt St Helens.

Descending down the Paradise Glacier Trail toward Mazama Ridge, looking back at Little Tahoma and Cowlitz Rocks.

Water cascading down along 4th crossing on our hike back.

Partially waterfall, seen along the Paradise Valley Road as we neared the parking lot at Paradise.