My wife and I are visiting Washington from the east coast next week, mostly Tacoma and a bit of Seattle. But we also want to take in some nature, and will be about 1.25 hours from Mt Rainier. I enjoy hiking, usually doing moderate hikes on All Trails. However, I'm recovering from back surgery (relatively minor back surgery, but still back surgery). My wife is also just not much of a hiker, so we need something easy. Do you guys have any recommendations for some pretty and manageable trails?

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throwaway23029123143 t1_jayofb2 wrote on March 5, 2023 at 2:17 AM

It's snowshoeing season, not hiking season :) check out snowshoeing trails around crystal mountain

Unwieldy_GuineaPig t1_jazg2ma wrote on March 5, 2023 at 6:38 AM

The only trail I can think of at Rainier right now that wouldn’t require microspikes or snowshoes is the Carbon River Road Trail. The trail is washed out between the Green Lake trailhead and Ipsut Creek Camp, but a nice walk in the forest on a former road.

Xbalanque_ t1_jaypx1s wrote on March 5, 2023 at 2:30 AM

They don't have winter on the "east coast'?

reinascythe7 t1_jazebqw wrote on March 5, 2023 at 6:18 AM

Not this winter. It’s been unnaturally warm. We usually get a little to some snow by this point (depends on where along the east coast) but seems the snow only wants to happen on the west coast and midwest

LiveNet2723 t1_jayuso1 wrote on March 5, 2023 at 3:11 AM

Visit the Washington State Trails Association site and look at trip reports . You can search by area, date range, and trail conditions. There are some trails that won't require snowshoes and won't tax your back.

No guarantees on the weather.

GeorgeBuford t1_jazk3vh wrote on March 5, 2023 at 7:29 AM

Parking lot to the lodge bar was the easiest trail I found. 😂

Rocketgirl8097 t1_jayt3cs wrote on March 5, 2023 at 2:56 AM

Silver Falls and Grove of the Patriarchs are easy trails from Ohanepecosh campground. However there may not be access at this time of year. For sure you will not be able to get there via Chinook pass.

Hestolemyvan t1_jaz8hok wrote on March 5, 2023 at 5:18 AM

East entrance is still closed. Grove of the Patriarchs has been closed since Covid started.

Skip Mt. Rainier next week with a bad back, unless you are willing to just drive up through the snow to the visitor center at Paradise.