Skyline Trail to Camp Muir

Hike to Camp Muir 7/31/2021 Saturday We spent Friday night at an AirBnB in Ashford to be close to Mt. Rainier. I got up at 0500, raining, after a not so restful night thinking about the climb up to 10,000’. Got some tea and assembled my gear and a lunch. We left at 0600 and were ready to begin hiking by 0700. Michelle and Mike hiking and Mark was going to fish. The Skyline Trail begins paved at the parking lot at 5400’ elevation and it goes up steep for the first 1/4 Mile or so when the trail turns to gravel. The trail continues up, but not as steep, with granite stones cut for steeping stones alternating with wooden beams for steps up. At 1.5 miles, take the Pebble Creek cutoff to the left and continue climbing stairs. After an hour, we were at 6800’ elevation, 2 miles in. Cross some snowfields for a short distance. No need to chain up yet. At 2.3 miles, 7200’ you reach Pebble Creek. Cross over the rocks between the Warning Sign and the rock painted Red. Continue on the trail to the snowfield and put on your micro spikes. Your on the snowfield to the camp. The surface is soft and slushy. At 8200’, 3.11 miles cross a short rock field. Follow the trail straight up another 1800’ elevation, 4.32 miles total to Camp Muir. Our time up was 3:30. Weather was overcast skies with light rain and some strong winds. The winds blew warm and cold. Was cold on top, bring layers, gloves, hat and your trekking poles. The wildflowers and lower meadows are really pretty in full bloom.