Mowich Lake Campground
Campground
Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
Washington · Hiking · Near Greenwater
Grindstone
Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 1.3 mi
- round trip
- 1,773 ft
- climb
- 5,058 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jul–Sep
- best months
Is Grindstone open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Mount Rainier National Park. It doesn't name Grindstone, so check the source for the area it covers.
Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire: projected to open tomorrow
Park closure covering Mount Rainier National Park · NPS · Mount Rainier National Park
WILDFIRE CLOSURES: Sunrise & northern trails.
Park alert covering Mount Rainier National Park · NPS · Mount Rainier National Park
As of · Source: NPS · Mount Rainier National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Grindstone is a moderate out-and-back hike in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, managed by the National Park Service. The route is about 2.7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,773 feet, and it starts at roughly 5,013 feet, rising to a high point of about 5,058 feet before returning to the trailhead. The climb is steepest near the start, with a grade of about 21% at about 0.23 miles in. That makes the first part of the hike the most demanding, and the trail is best suited to a day trip rather than a longer stay. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July and August highs around 62 to 64°F with lows in the mid-40s, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 30s. Mowich Access is just 0.1 mile away, and the Spray-Seattle Park Trail and Knapsack Pass Trail are both within about half a mile. Paddlers can reach the North Mowich River about 1.8 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after 
If it rainsSteven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)
More in GreenwaterLocal outfitters
- Sunset Lake Summer Camp & Retreat Center14 mi away
- Camp Lakeview18 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- Mowich AccessHikingPhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)0.1 mi
- Spray-Seattle Park TrailHiking0.4 mi
- Knapsack Pass TrailHiking0.6 mi
- Fay Peak TrailHiking0.6 mi
- North Mowich RiverCanoeing1.8 mi
Carbon RiverCanoeingPhoto: Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)2.9 mi- Mowich RiverCanoeing4.3 mi
Mount RainierRock climbingPhoto: shinsain, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)7.6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Mowich AccessHiking · Next doorPhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Northern LoopHiking · ~7 min drivePhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Bearhead TrailHiking · ~11 min drivePhoto: justin prince, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Summit Lake TrailHiking · ~12 min drivePhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Loop SpurHiking · ~6 min drivePhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Spray-Seattle Park TrailHiking · Next door
- SUMMIT LAKE TIE WITH CLEARWATEHiking · ~13 min drivePhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Paul PeakHiking · ~3 min drive
- Rainforest Loop TrailHiking · ~8 min drive
- WonderlandHiking · ~2 min drive
Also worth it near here
Tolmie PeakSummit · ~3 min drivePhoto: Ricardo Martins from Gent, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Spray FallsWaterfall · ~3 min drivePhoto: Joanna Poe from Munith, MI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Carbon RiverCanoeing · ~5 min drivePhoto: Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Mystic CampCamping · ~10 min drivePhoto: brewbooks — CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Best time to visit Grindstone
Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
34° / 24°
Feb
34° / 23°
Mar
36° / 24°
Apr
40° / 26°
May
48° / 33°
Jun
54° / 37°
Jul
62° / 44°
Aug
64° / 45°
Sep
57° / 41°
Oct
46° / 33°
Nov
37° / 26°
Dec
33° / 22°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rainier Paradise Rs, WA, 11.9 mi away at 5,427 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
