Distance
16.0 miles roundtrip
Trail Guide
Disappointment Cleaver Route
16.0 mi roundtrip · 9,000 ft gain · Expert · Mount Rainier
Trail Stats
Elevation Gain
9,000 ft
Highest Point
14,411 ft
Trailhead Elevation
5,400 ft
Difficulty
Expert
Trail Type
Out And Back
Features
Summit
Glacier travel
Volcanic crater
Technical Notes
Most popular summit route. Requires glacier travel skills, crevasse rescue knowledge, and proper roped team techniques. Two-day climb with overnight at Camp Muir (10,080 ft). Climbing permit required. Involves crossing the Ingraham Glacier and ascending the Disappointment Cleaver rock formation. Rockfall hazard. Typically climb starts at midnight for summit by sunrise.
Getting There
Trailhead
Paradise (Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center)
Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park
Parking: ~200 spaces
From Seattle
100 mi · 140 min drive
I-5 South to SR-512 East. Follow SR-7 South to SR-706 East. Enter Nisqually Entrance. Continue to Paradise.
Planning Details
Best Season
May through September
Dogs Allowed
No
Required Pass
Mount Rainier National Park Pass
Annual: $55.00 · Day: $30.00
Mountain
Mount Rainier · 14,411 ft · Mount Rainier National Park
Avalanche Forecast
Check current avalanche conditions for the Mount Rainier zone before your trip.
Ready to plan?
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