Mazama Ridge Snowshoe

Mazama Ridge at Mount Rainier's Paradise area offers an especially scenic intermediate-level snowshoe route in the midst of snow-covered alpine meadows. The wide-open views from the ridge are absolutely jaw-dropping: Mount Rainier, the Tatoosh Range, rolling subalpine meadows, wind-sculpted drifts - and there are boundless opportunities to explore.

To avoid avalanche chutes, park rangers recommend taking the Paradise Valley Road to the 4th Crossing route up to Mazama Ridge. It's steeper than the summer route up from the Edith Creek bridge, but it's safer. The Edith Creek route goes through the avalanche run out zones for the slopes between Edith Creek and Mazama.

Climb north from the parking area towards Myrtle Falls, keeping to the left of Paradise Inn on the Mazama Ridge Trail. Cross Edith Creek on a footbridge above Myrtle Falls and continue east across the upper area of Paradise Valley towards Mazama Ridge.

Ascend steeply another half a mile to reach the crest of the ridge with some small trees at 5700 feet. From the ridgecrest, admire views in every direction: south to the peaks of the Tatoosh Range and north to mammoth Mount Rainier, all draped in a winter blanket.

Then, let the wandering begin! Following the ridgeline south will lead you to the land of snowy meadows and views of the Pinnacle Peak, The Castle, Unicorn, Boundary Peak, not to mention Rainier itself. At the 2.5 mile mark, you can peer down to Reflection and Louise Lakes (also an alternative route to Mazama Ridge).

To return follow the ridge and your tracks back to Paradise.

Extend Your Route: Follow the ridgeline south to views of Reflection and Louise Lakes before turning north to head back to where you started.