The incline on this hike was a bit more intense than the ranger told us it would be. That’s especially true of the first mile or so. He made it sound like we’d practically be walking on flat ground. It’s not too bad though. Just be prepared for it. Anyway, your sweat will have a big payoff. There are stunning viewpoints on this trail and its offshoots. You’ll have a crumby experience on a cloudy day (in terms of sightseeing, anyway), but on clear, sunny days, this trail is hard to beat. If you visit Mt. Rainier National Park when Sunrise and Paradise are closed (a large percentage of the year), this is where you should go.
We saw a snake on this trail. We weren’t expecting that.
There’s also a neat water fountain that looks like a pile of rocks close to where the trail starts. It’s neat.