Carter Falls Hike
The hike to Carter Falls in Mount Rainier National Park is a moderate 4.5 km hike that follows the Wonderland Trail to a beautiful waterfall. This trail is exceptionally well-maintained and nice and shady on hot days. You can go further to other falls along the same trail or just enjoy the quick jaunt to Carter Falls.
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Route Description for Carter Falls Hike
The hike to Carter Falls on the Wonderland Trail is cool, mostly shady, and passes through an old-growth forest to a rushing waterfall in the trees. This trail provides the opportunity to go further to Narada Falls if you’d like to extend your day.
The trail begins from the Cougar Rock area. The trailhead is on the west side of the road, and you’ll take a left onto the Wonderland Trail. You’ll cross the Nisqually River right away, then hiking alongside the Paradise River. The view of Mount Rainier looming over the Nisqually Gorge is impressive!
Look for Ricksecker Point on your left, and enjoy the old-growth forest that lines your trail. In wildflower season, this section of trail is especially pleasant. Ascend gently for about a mile to Carter Falls, where 16 m of rushing water tumbles over the rock. You can either turn back here or follow the same trail to Madcap Falls and Narada Falls.
Getting to the Carter Falls Hike Trailhead
To reach the trailhead for the Carter Falls hike from the Nisqually entrance to the park, drive east on Paradise Road for 13.5 km. Park on the side of the road next to the trailhead. If the 8 or so spots along the road are full, you can also park at the Cougar Rock picnic parking lot on your right just up the road.
Route Information
Carter Falls Hike Elevation Graph
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