<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54059920799/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Emmons Glacier"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54059920799_9cf8cfd7b1_b.jpg" alt="Emmons Glacier"/></a> Mt Rainier and the Emmons Glacier - [Flickr Album](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/albums/72177720321105141) - 35 miles, 8300ft gain - Gear: [[Hoka Speedgoat]] - Area: [[Mount Rainier National Park]] I had done the Wonderland earlier this year ([[2024-07-27 - Wonderland Trail]], but unfortunately at the time the section along the [[Cowlitz Divide]] and was cloudy and I did [[Panhandle Gap]] in the dark, so I had missed the scenery. I decided to do the Eastern Loop so I could enjoy this section with clear weather. The trail conditions are almost perfect. I do not recall a single blowdown I had to step over. The Eastside Trail was a little brushy in the middle section. It is not bad, but when it is cold and the bushes are wet, it was not entirely ideal. It was surprising to me that there were still quite a few Wonderland hikers. It was almost busy around Indian Bar. The Summerland/Panhandle trail itself was relatively very quiet though. I saw perhaps a dozen people. It is probably more popular in early summer when the flowers are out and there are more snow fields. Fall colors were not as great as I hoped on this loop. There are not a ton of blueberries in this drainage. Still, it was a nice day out. It is a bit unfortunate that there is no trail between the Summerland Trailhead and the Owyhigh Lakes Trailhead. You need walk along the road where visibility for drivers is poor due to the shade and sun. # Resources - [How to Experience Mt. Rainier NP in Short Segments — Willis Wall](https://www.williswall.com/willis-wall-blog/2016/4/3/how-to-sample-mt-rainier-np-in-short-segments) - [AllTrails - Mount Rainier Eastside Loop](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mount-rainier-eastside-loop) - [WTA - Eastside Loop](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/eastside-loop) - [Mount Rainier Eastside Horseshoe - Climber Kyle](https://climberkyle.com/2022/10/02/mount-rainier-eastside-horseshoe/) # Route <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54253714817/in/album-72177720321105141" title="Mount Rainier Eastern Loop"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54253714817_b6c7e35a8a_b.jpg" alt="Mount Rainier Eastern Loop"/></a> # Highlights <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54060048270/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Indian Bar and the Ohanapecosh drainage"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54060048270_09991d5f05_b.jpg" alt="Indian Bar and the Ohanapecosh drainage"/></a> Indian Bar and the Ohanapecosh drainage below [[Little Tahoma]] <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54060048730/in/album-72177720321105141" title="Cowlitz Park"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54060048730_7df9def116_b.jpg" alt="Cowlitz Park"/></a> Cowlitz Park <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54060047365/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Approaching Panhandle Gap from the south"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54060047365_6af9dd667c_b.jpg" alt="Approaching Panhandle Gap from the south"/></a> Approaching Panhandle Gap from the south <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54059837373/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Goats on Banshee Peak"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54059837373_f867427d39_b.jpg" alt="Goats on Banshee Peak"/></a> Goats on Banshee Peak <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54059837813/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Panhandle Gap"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54059837813_5588eae1de_b.jpg" alt="Panhandle Gap"/></a> Panhandle Gap <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/54059592571/in/album-72177720321105141/" title="Mt Rainier and the Emmons Glacier"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54059592571_d30092a36f_b.jpg" alt="Mt Rainier and the Emmons Glacier"/></a> Mt Rainier and the Emmons Glacier