Van Trump Park

Follow in the footsteps of the first mountaineers to summit Mt. Rainier alongside rushing creeks and tumbling cascades to reach expansive parklands overflowing with wildflowers. It’s a steep, tough climb, but it’s more than worth it; Comet Falls is one of the more impressive waterfall shows in Mt. Rainier National Park, while Van Trump Park allows you the opportunity to an intimate view of Rainier’s glaciers while surrounded by a sea of flowery meadows.

From the trailhead, the Comet Falls & Van Trump Park Trail enters an ancient forest of mossy fir and cedar above the Nisqually River. Follow the mostly flat trail for 0.2 mile to reach a sturdy stone bridge, crossing it to the sounds of Van Trump Creek tumbling and crashing nearly 70 feet down over Christine Falls. One of the falls’ two tiers is under the bridge, making it all but impossible to see from this vantage point, but peeking over the edge you can get an idea of the size of this impressive waterfall from the frothing pool below.

There's a lot more to Van Trump Park, and you can learn all about it in Washington Wildflower Hikes: 50 Destinations. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!