Palisades Winter Hike

We drove up Hwy 410 to the trailhead for the Palisades Trail (a pullout along the highway 1/4 mile past the Skookum Falls viewpoint). This trail can be done as a 15.9 mile loop hike. We hiked for 9 miles round trip, going out to the three viewpoints above the palisades, with 2,000 ft of elevation gain. Although there was a caution sign warning of hazards due to the wildfire in 2017, we did not see any burnt areas in the section we hiked.

About 1/2 mile up the trail, cross Dalles Creek on rocks in the creek. From here the trail is switchbacks up to the top of the palisades.

This is a lovely forest with lots of moss covering rocks and boulders.

About 1 mile from the trailhead, look for a short spur trail leading to a good view at the base of Lower Dalles Creek Falls.

The trail continues up going past large moss covered cliffs. In the morning there were icicles hanging from the moss

A steep wooden staircase is near the end of the steep section of this trail.

Dalles Creek near the top of the stairs.

A small wooden plank crosses Dalles Creek here and the trail climbs more gently along the top of the palisades for the next several miles.

About 2.5 miles from the trailhead, is the first of the viewpoints. From here we could see Sun Top Mountain and further to the west, Skookum Falls.

Some small plants along the edge of the viewpoint

The trail soon reenters the woods. About 1/2 way between the first and second viewpoints we had some icy snow over the trail.

Wide angle view from the second viewpoint. (about 3.5 miles from the trailhead). We could see the top of Mt Rainier peeking over the hills and Sun Top Mountain. We decided to take a lunch break here, enjoying the sun and views.

View of Sun Top Mountain under this bent tree a little further along the second viewpoint.

About 1/2 mile past the second viewpoint, we encountered consistent snow. It was well packed down.

Here the trail goes through a harvested area with young trees, giving us views of Mt Rainier to the south.











A bridge crosses Snoquera Creek, and the trail returns out to the edge of the palisades.
















Pano from the third viewpoint (about 4.5 miles from the trailhead). Nice view of the top of Mt Rainier and Sun Top Mountain.

Looking east up the White River Valley. Down below is the local airstrip.












Here we watched the clouds gatherer the top of Mt Rainier.












Another view of a lenticular cloud settling over Mt Rainier as we returned down the trail.