Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes to Mazama Ridge Loop Snowshoe on Mt Rainier

Gorgeous day to end 2014! We headed up to Mt Rainier National Park for a great day of snowshoeing. Parked at Narada Falls (the trail down to Narada Falls is too dangerous this time of year). 

 Here you can see Paradise River above the falls near where our trail begins.

Because the avalanche danger was very low for the road via Inspiration Point, we took that route to Reflection Lakes, then hiked up the Lakes trail to Inspiration Saddle and up the unmarked Mazama Ridge Route to 4th crossing, then the closed road back toward Narada Falls. The "green" marked route on the map. This was about 6 miles with at least 1300 ft of elevation gain.

The first part of the trail is 0.35 miles along the Paradise River in the woods.

There were beautiful partially frozen falls where the Paradise River comes under the bridge. At the road, we went right to snowshoe along the closed road to Inspiration Point.

 Great views at Inspiration Point!

 Sun rising behind the Tatoosh Range.

 Lots of icicles. Road along Inspiration Point to Feflection Lakes is just over 1 mile.

 We hiked a bit at Reflection Lakes, taking lots of pictures.

 After Reflection Lakes, found the trail heading toward Paradise along the Lakes Trail, it is 0.4 miles to Inspiration Saddle.

 Beautiful winter wonderland!

 At Inspiration Saddle you can continue along the marked trail to Paradise, or take a right (go east) up the unmarked trail along Mazama Ridge. We were happy to find tracks to follow since the last storm.
This section of the trail is 1.5 miles with about 600 - 700 ft of elevation gain.















Along Mazama Ridge, looking south to the Tatoosh Range.

 To the east, Goat Rocks

 We found a wonderful spot along Mazama Ridge to eat our lunch and enjoy the view.

 We descended down toward the closed road at Fourth Crossing, about 0.5 miles

 Paradise area is in the background across Paradise Valley,

 with Mount Rainier to the north.

 Small falls seen along the way.

 We decided not to hike over to Paradise today, but to take the closed road back to Narada Falls. This is about 2 miles to finish the trip.
Heading toward the Tatoosh Range.

 Looking back at Mt Rainier across Paradise Valley.