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    Hikes/United States/Washington State/Mount Rainier National Park

    Panhandle Gap Hike

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Hard
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    6-8h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    17.9 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    963 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
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    The Panhandle Gap hike is a 17.9 km trail in Mount Rainier National Park that offers nice mountain views and is rated as hard. This hike passes Camp Summerland, a few small lakes, and then culminates at Panhandle Gap, which has amazing views.

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    Route Description for Panhandle Gap Hike

    The hike to Panhandle Gap is long, but it’s full of great views and points of interest along the trail. You’ll cross through Summerland Gap, enjoy some small lakes, and then finish off at the gap, which offers awesome views.

    Take Summerland Trail south from the Summerland parking area. The trail shortly joins Wonderland Trail- stay straight and hike roughly alongside Fryingpan Creek. You’ll switchback along a few tight turns and then continue straight along to Camp Summerland after a few more switchbacks. The trail out of camp continues south along Wonderland.

    Hiking along Wonderland for another mile, you’ll pass a couple of small lakes. These are somewhat uninspiring, so keep going for 0.6 km to the gap. The views here are fantastic, and it’s a nice place to recoup before retracing your steps back to the parking area.

    Getting to the Panhandle Gap Hike Trailhead

    The trailhead for the Panhandle Gap hike is located at the parking lot for Summerland Trail on Sunrise Park Road. You’ll leave from the north side of the road.

    Route Information

    • Backcountry Campground

      Camp Summerland

    • When to do

      July-October

    • Pets allowed

      No

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Moderate

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Panhandle Gap Hike Elevation Graph

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