Yellowstone Cliffs Camp
Campground
Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail
Washington · Hiking · Near Greenwater
Independence Ridge
- 0.6 mi
- round trip
- 702 ft
- climb
- 5,806 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jul–Sep
- best months
Is Independence Ridge open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Mount Rainier National Park. It doesn't name Independence Ridge, 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.
Independence Ridge is an easy out-and-back hike of about a mile in Mount Rainier National Park, within the Mount Rainier Wilderness. The trail climbs about 110 feet from a starting elevation of roughly 5,760 feet to a high point of about 5,806 feet. It is managed by the National Park Service. The most comfortable months for a visit are July and August, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 62 to 64°F and lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with typical highs in the low to mid 30s from December through February. A fee applies, so plan for that before you go. The trail is short and gentle, with the steepest stretch coming about a quarter mile in. It makes an easy addition to a day exploring the park's high-country routes. Nearby options include the Northern Loop, about 2 miles away, and the Lake Eleanor and Skyscraper Mountain Trail hikes, both within about 3 miles. Paddlers can head to the West Fork White River, roughly 2 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 Center16 mi away
- Camp Lakeview24 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- West Fork White RiverCanoeing1.8 mi
Northern LoopHikingPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)2.2 mi- Fire Creek Camp SpurHiking2.6 mi
- Lake EleanorHiking2.9 mi
- Skyscraper Mountain TrailHiking3.3 mi
Carbon RiverCanoeingPhoto: Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)5.4 mi- Viola CreekCanoeing5.4 mi
Mount RainierRock climbingPhoto: shinsain, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)7.1 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Northern LoopHiking · ~4 min drivePhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Loop SpurHiking · ~4 min drivePhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Bearhead TrailHiking · ~9 min drivePhoto: justin prince, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Summit Lake TrailHiking · ~11 min drivePhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Huckleberry CreekHiking · ~9 min drive
Mowich AccessHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- GrindstoneHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Burroughs MtnHiking · ~9 min drive
- WonderlandHiking · ~9 min drive
- Fire Creek Camp SpurHiking · ~4 min drive
Best time to visit Independence Ridge
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, 11.8 mi away at 5,427 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
