Mount Rainier National Park
Saturday, September 5, 2026 -
Saturday, September 12, 2026 --
$2100
★★★★
Description
Mt. Rainier National Park is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the United States. With its vast alpine lakes, temperate rainforests filled with ancient conifers, fields of wildflowers, active glaciers, and the awe-inspiring presence of the mountain itself, the park offers a wilderness experience that feels almost otherworldly. Wildlife is abundant, from black bears and elk to Pikas, mountain goats, marmots, and soaring eagles. In early September, the weather is typically stable, with clear skies and cool nights, and the bugs that populate the high country in summer have mostly subsided.
This particular journey is especially unique because the National Park Service awards only 5 commercial backpacking permits for Mount Rainier each year. Fitpacking has been granted one of them for the 2026 season, making this one of the few guided treks of its kind available. It’s a rare chance to experience the Northern Loop section of the famed Wonderland Trail and other secluded parts of the park in the company of experienced guides.
Our route begins at the Sunrise Ranger Station in the northeast corner of the park. From there, we’ll quickly leave civilization behind as we hike toward Berkeley Park, Lake James, and the incredible Natural Bridge formation. We’ll descend into the glacial valley of Carbon Glacier, where we’ll cross a suspension bridge with sweeping views of the powerful river below. The route then continues along the Wonderland Trail toward Mystic Lake and ascends to Skyscraper Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views in every direction. Eventually, we’ll circle back to Sunrise, completing a challenging but deeply rewarding six-day journey through some of the park’s most spectacular terrain.
Along the way, you’ll experience the rich diversity of Mount Rainier’s ecosystems—everything from rugged alpine ridges to dense evergreen forests. Late-season wildflowers, clear glacial streams, and the ever-present snowcapped summit of Rainier provide constant visual rewards. With its limited access, unforgettable views, and off-the-beaten-path route, this trip offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience one of America's most iconic national parks in a truly immersive way.
Topographical Map of Proposed Route
See Topo map
Weather
Weather is always a critical factor when hiking, especially in mountainous environments like Mount Rainier National Park. In early September, you can generally expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s°F (15–20°C) and overnight lows in the 40s°F (4–9°C)—pleasant conditions for high-elevation backpacking.
However, the mountain’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, and temperatures can drop well below freezing, especially at night. During our 2008 trip, for example, we awoke on September 1st to several inches of snow blanketing our campsite. Remarkably, by afternoon the snow had melted, and by September 2nd, the group was swimming—albeit briefly—in an alpine lake.
This kind of variability is typical of Mount Rainier’s higher elevations. Participants should be fully prepared for a wide range of conditions, including freezing temperatures, sudden snow, and rapid weather shifts. A layered clothing system, insulated sleeping gear, and waterproof protection are essential for safety and comfort.
With the right preparation, this time of year offers some of the most stunning, uncrowded, and bug-free conditions in the park.
View 7 day weather forecast
Probable Trip Leaders
Rick Romine
Beau Devlin
Any Other Guide(s) TBD
Cost
$2100
per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Seattle / Sea-Tac (SEA) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.
Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.
Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to)
other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve.
Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make
up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important
part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the
trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally
account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the
greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted
to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing
exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well,
please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles
of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small
holes they've dug.
Important Notes about this trip
While the group size for this trip can be up to 12 participants, Mount Rainier National Park limits us to just 6 tents. This means that if our group exceeds six people, tent sharing will be required. Though this may sound inconvenient at first, participants on previous trips—such as in 2015 and 2019—found it perfectly manageable, and in fact, the lighter pack weight that comes with fewer tents often turned out to be a welcome trade-off.
You should also expect a park ranger to check in with our group at some point during the trip. Rangers typically ensure we’re following Leave No Trace principles and adhering to park regulations, which we take seriously and support as part of preserving this incredible wilderness for future visitors.
This trek through Mount Rainier National Park is considered one of Fitpacking’s more difficult and advanced trips, but also one of the most rewarding. While the daily mileage is moderate and the trails are well maintained, the terrain is far from flat. Most days involve sustained ascents and descents, often climbing or dropping thousands of feet. Elevation gain and loss is a defining feature of this loop and should not be underestimated.
Adding to the challenge is Rainier’s famously unpredictable climate. The mountain is known to generate its own weather, meaning we could experience sunshine, wind, rain, or even snow—sometimes all in the same day. Conditions can shift quickly, so it’s essential to be prepared for a wide range of possibilities. But on the flip side, this wild and varied environment offers stunning, clear views and—if we’re lucky—the chance to snack on wild blueberries along the trail.
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