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WHIDBEY ISLAND  WASHINGTON  USA

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COMET FALLS and VAN TRUMP PARK

THIS IS MY FAVORITE DAY HIKE IN MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

     This trail climbs from one beautiful waterfall, Christine Falls, near the trail head, along Van Trump Creek to the highest waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park.  The trail begins climbing moderately right from the start and steepens about two miles in, near Comet Falls.  The hike up the trail is an adventure all by itself, with many wildflowers and beautiful cascades to view.  When you get short of breath from the exertion, there is always something to stop and take a look at.  This is also a good hike for kids, provided they are energetic and not prone to complaining.  There is a good bit of elevation to gain but I have never considered the climb to be strenuous.  Just before the views of Comet Falls begin, the trail enters an open area and crosses a fork of Van Trump Creek.  Straight up the side gorge is one of the prettiest waterfalls to never bear a name.  Comet Falls appears up the gorge to the left.  The entire falls is 320 feet. Just after the trail crossing the trail steepens and begins a series of switch backs that climb beyond the falls into Van Trump Park. 
     Take a lot of film.  You will find new vistas at every turn and you will find many reasons to press the shutter. Beyond the falls the trail climbs steeply through timber and into the open meadows above timberline.  If you have time and transportation can be arranged, a great one way circuit can be made by return hiking back to Longmire along Rampart Ridge.  This is a good opportunity for some genuine solitude and wildlife viewing.  I saw a beautiful pileated woodpecker on Rampart Ridge a few years ago and in upper Van Trump Park I have seen mountain goats on several occasions.  If time permits, hike up beyond the lower meadows of Van Trump Park.  You will climb into the cold world of rock and ice rather quickly and going beyond the lower meadows qualifies this hike as strenuous.
     The trail head appears on the left side of Paradise Road about four miles up from Longmire.  Take the time to visit Christine Falls, one quarter mile up the road beyond the trail head.