Springtime Conditions Update

Mt. Rainier from canyon rim overlook on April 20th

 Happy springtime!

Climbers and skiers are are beginning to venture onto the higher slopes of the mountain. Park operations are winding up, and the road to Paradise is open 24 hrs a day. Expect intermittent road closures above Longmire when inclement weather impacts the park and during heavy snowfall events.

For weather-related trip planning assistance, check out the Mt. Rainier Recreational Forecast from the National Weather Service. 

This Weekend (April 25-26, 2026)

The forecast this weekend calls for sunny skies by Friday morning and relatively cool temperatures with freezing levels staying well below Camp Muir. Saturday afternoon, expect high clouds and possibly a cloud cap near the summit. Winds at Camp Muir are forecast to be 10-15 mph Friday and Saturday, while winds on the summit will slowly decrease from 55 mph on Friday to 25 mph on Saturday. Wind direction will be NE-N-NW. By Sunday, the upper level low pressure system to our north moves closer to Mt. Rainier, resulting in a chance of precipitation and reduced visibility on the upper mountain and Muir Snowfield by Sunday afternoon.

This Week:

The mountain received a significant amount of precipitation over the last two days. Accumulated precipitation at Paradise Thursday morning is almost 2 inches. This precipitation fell as a mix of rain and snow across the Park, resulting in only 8 inches of new snow at Paradise. As we move up the mountain, expect higher snowfall totals once you get above the rain line. Additionally, winds at Camp Muir gradually increased with the new precipitation. 

Average wind speeds of 15-30 mph, and gusts up to 40 mph definitely transported the new snow on the Muir Snowfield and the upper mountain. Wind direction at Muir switched from south to northwest mid-storm. New snow and high winds from opposite directions have surely created elevated avalanche hazard on the upper mountain. Travel cautiously and look for signs of instability like cracking on stiff snow surfaces, or recent avalanches on adjacent steep slopes.

Expect intermittent snow coverage for the first couple miles above Paradise. Adjust your route to stay on snow as much as possible.

Muir Snowfield:

Snow coverage is below average for this time of year below 8,000 ft on the snowfield. Areas between Paradise and McClure rock have exposed rock fellfields and fragile alpine plants. Please avoid walking on any surface besides snow on your way up the snowfield. Above Panorama Point, head towards the summer trail (snow covered) near Pebble Creek. The traditional winter route to McClure rock and traversing near Sugarloaf is not snow covered enough to protect the fragile alpine plant life from damage.

Camp Muir on April 20th

Conditions at Camp Muir are quite icy and slick. High winds likely scoured much of the new snow to leeward areas. Crampons may be useful for walking around camp if you plan to spend the night.

Few parties have ventured above Camp Muir recently. Rangers observed firm conditions at and above Camp Muir on Monday, April 20th. With limited information about upper mountain conditions, our advice is to set conservative mountaineering goals and methodically evaluate conditions on any ascent. This winter brought unique weather to the Cascade Range, which will result in unique and surprising conditions up high.

Access and Permits:

• Please arrive having already paid your climbing fee: here.
• Wilderness permits are issued via self-registration in the foyer of the small A-frame ranger station at the upper Paradise parking lot. Or at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center

Facilities and Emergency Infrastructure:

• The public shelter at Camp Muir is closed. The door is boarded and locked. Planned repair work was not completed in the fall.
• Access to the shelter is emergency-only and requires using the emergency radio to contact dispatch. Declaring an emergency to gain access will initiate a rescue response.
• The emergency radio has been relocated to the first restroom building nearest the helipad. This restroom is unusable for any other purpose than using the emergency radio.
• The pit-toilet is open and available for use. Find the second bathroom structure on the ridge, to the east of the helipad.

Equipment and Self-Sufficiency:

• Bring the full complement of winter camping gear necessary to remain self-sufficient—even if your plan is to camp only at Camp Muir.
• Leave the parking lot with detailed maps, whether digital or paper.
• If relying on a phone, bring an external battery, use airplane mode, and save social media posting until after your climb.

Search and Rescue Realities:

It is critical to understand how early season rescue differs from summer operations:

• During the summer season, climbing rangers are staffed daily and often stationed at Camp Muir and Camp Schurman, with dedicated training and aviation support.
• This infrastructure does not exist early season.
• Reaching an injured climber may take a full day or many more, even in favorable weather. In some cases, depending on location, conditions, and weather, no team may be able to respond for several days.

If you are injured on the mountain—particularly above high camps—the likelihood of same-day assistance is significantly reduced.

Muir Snowfield on April 20th from 7,300 ft

Winter Climbing

Happy New Year!

A stretch of relatively clear weather is currently forecast between January 13 and January 20, and we want to take a moment to share current conditions and several important considerations for anyone planning a winter climb of Mount Rainier.

Winter Weather Windows and Climb Success

Statistically, dry weather windows like this occur most years between mid-January and mid-February. Historically, there is a noticeable increase in summit success during this period, often peaking around the third week of January. Success rates during these windows can approach typical summer averages of 55–60%.

However, the devil is in the details.

Winter climbing on Mount Rainier is inherently difficult to plan. While these short weather windows do occur, they tend to favor climbers who live locally, have flexible schedules, and—most importantly—have significant experience on the mountain during the regular climbing season.

For teams with limited experience in glaciated terrain or winter alpine conditions, this may not be an appropriate time to attempt your first climb.  Let's dive deeper.

Access and Permits

• Please arrive having already paid your climbing fee: here.

• Wilderness permits are issued via self-registration in the foyer of the small A-frame ranger station at the upper Paradise parking lot.

Facilities and Emergency Infrastructure

• The public shelter at Camp Muir is closed. The door is boarded and locked. Planned repair work was not completed in the fall.

  • Access to the shelter is emergency-only and requires using the emergency radio to contact dispatch. Declaring an emergency to gain access will initiate a rescue response.

• The emergency radio has been relocated to the first restroom building nearest the helipad.

Equipment and Self-Sufficiency

• Bring the full complement of winter or arctic camping gear necessary to remain self-sufficient—even if your plan is to camp only at Camp Muir.

• Leave the parking lot with detailed maps, whether digital or paper.

  • If relying on a phone, bring an external battery, use airplane mode, and save social media posting until after your climb.

Search and Rescue Realities

It is critical to understand how winter rescue differs from summer operations:

• During the summer season, climbing rangers are staffed daily and often stationed at Camp Muir and Camp Schurman, with dedicated training and aviation support.

• This infrastructure does not exist in winter.

• Reaching an injured climber may take a full day or many more, even in favorable weather. In some cases, depending on location, conditions, and weather, no team may be able to respond for several days.

• The park does not maintain an exclusive-use helicopter contract during the winter.

If you are injured on the mountain—particularly above high camps—the likelihood of same-day assistance is significantly reduced.

Avalanche Conditions

Finally, stay tuned in to the snowpack.  Use the skills you learned in your US Level 1 and 2 courses.

• Although we've suffered through extreme weather events in the last three months, both droughts and atmospheric rivers, there is A LOT of new snow on Mount Rainier.

• The high elevation of Mount Rainier presents its own unique avalanche phenomena neither exactly like continental nor maritime environments!

Conditions Update @ Muir, Wednesday January 14, 2026

Made it to Camp Muir this morning for a quick conditions check.

• Pan Point is a little confusing as there is a lack of snow.  I think the normal winter gulley is the good call.  The summer trail is steep and there is a nice cliff under the traverse track making the consequences of a fall rather dire!
• Conditions were smooth as the sun worked its magic up to about 7500.
• 7500 onwards the snow became increasingly firm.
• By 9000’, yeah it was kind of terrifying.  Definitely recommend ski crampons.
• Took off skis at 9800 and booted it the last 200’
• Muir is “iced-in”.  All that moisture from a month ago is water ice all over Muir.
• It took me 10 minutes to make my way over to the public shelter from the ranger station!  I recommend crampons or micro-spikes just making your way around Muir.
• The toilet is iced-in.  I recommend blue bagging your waste so grab those at Paradise before you head up!
• I’ll post some photos here when I make it back down tonight.

Don't forget to pay the fee and self-register at the Old Station and have a great time!