We are frequently asked about bringing guests on training hikes. Guest are welcome on the low lands hikes in March and April (properly attired and prepared, of course). Anyone not registered for the climb cannot participate in the Pebble Creek or Camp Muir training hikes.

For training hikes and the Climb, Whittaker's Mountaineering offers a 30% discount on any items you need to rent. 

For safety and manageability, the training climbs on Mt. Rainier in May and June are limited to registered climbers ONLY.

Gear for the Training Hikes: 

Please bring ski poles along with the Ten Essentials on every hike. Also, make sure you dress appropriately for the hikes – that means no jeans and no cotton!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

8:45 a.m. Rattlesnake Ledge: meet in main parking lot

9 a.m. Depart (Pack weight - 15 pounds) - directions

Sunday, March 21, 2010

8:45 a.m. Little Si: meet at small parking lot

9 a.m. Depart (Pack weight - 15 pounds) - directions

Saturday, April 10, 2010

8:45 a.m. Tiger Mountain: Meet at the gate at the end of the paved road

9 a.m. Depart (Pack weight - 20 pounds) - directions

Saturday, April 24, 2010

8:45 a.m. Mount Si: Meet at the trailhead

9 a.m. Depart (pack weight - 20 pounds) - directions

Sunday, May 2, 2010

8:30 a.m. Tiger Mountain Summit: Meet in the gravel parking lot (see directions below). We will all carpool together down to the Tiger Mountain 3 (exit 20) trailhead.  Look for William Crone's blue Toyota Corolla with the blue backpack on the bumper. 

9 a.m. Depart from Tiger Mountain 3 trailhead. We will reach the summit between 5 and 6 p.m.

Wear proper hiking boots and two pairs of socks, blister treatment, goodies to share at the picnic stop AND "country bathroom" essentials. 

Directions for May 2 hike:  From I-90 Eastbound, take Exit 25 (HWY 18); turn right at exit heading south on HWY 18; Go down a hill and then up a hill; park in the gravel lot located on the right. 

Saturday, May 8, 2010*

8:45 a.m. Pebble Creek on Mount Rainier: meet in parking lot of Paradise Inn

9 a.m. Depart from trailhead next to Paradise Inn (Pack weight - 20 pounds) - directions

Sunday, May 23, 2010*

8:45 a.m. Pebble Creek on Mount Rainier: meet in parking lot of Paradise Inn

9 a.m. Depart from trailhead next to Paradise Inn (Pack weight - 25 pounds) - directions

Sunday, June 13, 2010*

8:45 a.m. Camp Muir on Mount Rainier: meet in parking lot of Paradise Inn

9 a.m. Depart from trailhead next to Paradise Inn - approx. 5 hours up & 3 hours back - add 2+ hour drive each way.
Camp Muir (10,200') on Mount Rainier (Pack weight - 30+ pounds) - directions

Saturday, June 26, 2010*

Time: Night hike; departure time TBD

Pebble Creek on Mount Rainier: This will be a night hike but we will not be doing the entire trail.  More details will be announced (Pack weight - 20 lbs.).

Sunday, June 27, 2010*

8:45 a.m. Camp Muir on Mount Rainier: meet in parking lot of Paradise Inn

9 a.m. Depart from trailhead next to Paradise Inn - approx. 5 hours up & 3 hours back - add 2+ hour drive each way.
Camp Muir (10,200') on Mt. Rainier (Pack weight - all gear needed for the actual climb - around 35-40 pounds) - directions

*Staying at Whittaker's Bunkhouse in Ashford (360-569-2439) is recommended.  Its close proximity to hike locale allows hikers to travel as a group into Rainier National Park. You are responsible for these overnight arrangements during training.

All of the climbs are designed to expose you to climbing and training as a team. Climbers will find it necessary to add other hikes and climbs in addition to a regular exercise program in preparation for a Mount Rainier summit climb.

Please feel free to contact Training Hike Leader, Mark Anderson, or other training assistants with questions or concerns regarding training or equipment.

ANY QUESTIONS:

Training Hike Leader: Mark Anderson

Mark's Cell: 425-985-9025

Training Assistant: Sylvia Stanley
Training Assistant: Roger Taylor
Training Assistant: Mike Gruber
Training Assistant: William Crone
Training Assistant: Stu Allen

Directions to Tiger Mountain -

COMING FROM SEATTLE:

1. Take I-90 Eastbound.
2. Go through Issaquah and continue EAST toward North Bend/Spokane up the hill.
3. TAKE HIGH POINT WAY EXIT (EXIT 20), the first exit after the hill. (If you miss this exit the next is exit 22/Preston/Fall City.)
4. AT THE STOP SIGN, TURN RIGHT.  Go a short distance and take the first RIGHT.
5. GO approximately 0.5 mile and the paved road will end at a gate. Park alongside the road. Do not head up the gravel road. We'll meet here and start our walk up Tiger Mountain 3.
   

COMING FROM HW 18 (Tacoma/Renton) OR NORTH BEND:

1. GO TO I-90, then WEST TOWARD ISSAQUAH
2. GO PAST EXIT 22 the PRESTON/FALL CITY EXIT
3. TAKE THE HIGHPOINT WAY EXIT (EXIT 20)
4. AT THE STOP SIGN TURN LEFT and go UNDER THE FREEWAY.
5. AT THE NEXT STOP SIGN TURN RIGHT.  Go .5 mile to the end of the paved road. We will start our hike at the end of the paved road by the gate at 9:00 Saturday up Tiger Mountain 3. 

DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES IN THE CAR !

NOTE: We will meet at the end of the paved road by the gate at 9 a.m. Saturday to start our walk up Tiger.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR ON THE GRAVEL ROAD to the Upper Parking Lot

Directions to Rattlesnake Ledge-

COMING FROM SEATTLE:

1. Get onto I-90. Go Eastbound past Issaquah, Snoqualmie, drop down into North Bend.
2. Take EXIT 32.
3. Turn right (south) on 436th Avenue Southeast (Cedar Falls Road) and drive about four miles to the Rattlesnake Lake parking area. A sign points to the trailhead; there is ample parking on the right side of the road, near a metal gate.

Directions to Little Si -

1. Get onto I-90. Go Eastbound past Issaquah, Snoqualmie, drop down into North Bend.
2. Take the FIRST NORTH BEND EXIT, EXIT 31. At the stop sign turn left and go under the freeway.
3. Go through the first stop light. The factory outlet mall will be on your left, gas stations on your right.
4. Go a short distance through another light and continue across the railroad tracks.
5. At the next stop light TURN RIGHT onto E North Bend Way, also called SE North Bend Way.
6. Go through town.  Once out of town look for the SE Mt. Si Road sign.  TURN LEFT off of E North Bend Way (SE North Bend Way) and go over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.  Drive about 1/5th of a mile and you'll see the new Little Si trailhead on your left.

Directions to Mt. Si -

1. Get onto I-90. Go Eastbound past Issaquah, Snoqualmie, drop down into North Bend. Take the FIRST NORTH BEND EXIT, EXIT 31. At the stop sign turn left and go under the freeway.
2. Go through the first stop light. The factory outlet mall will be on your left, gas stations on your right.
3. Go a short distance through another light and continue across the railroad tracks.
4. At the next stop light TURN RIGHT onto E North Bend Way, also called SE North Bend Way.
5. Go through town.  Once out of town look for the SE Mt. Si Road sign.  TURN LEFT off of E North Bend Way(SE North Bend Way) and go over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River and then straight ahead for about 2 + miles.
6. Look for the MT SI TRAILHEAD sign and then turn leftand follow the gravel road.

Directions to Middle Fork of Snoqualmie -

1. From Seattle take I-90 East to Exit 34.
2. Turn left at the stop sign.
3. In 0.6 mile turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (#56).
4. You'll come to a point on the road where you go left or right.  GO LEFT.
5. Continue for 11.6 miles on a gravel road to the trailhead on the right side of the road.

Directions to Paradise (Rainier), approximately three hours from Seattle to Paradise -

1. 405 to 167 South (toward Sumner & Puyallup)
2. 167 South to 512 West (do not take 410 to Rainier)
3. Hwy 161/Mt Rainier Exit (this exit shows up just as you start to come to South Hill) and make a left at stop, go over 512 turing into Meridian St.
4. Stay on Meridian.  It turns into Hwy 161 eventually (go past South Hill Mall).
5. 161 South to 7 South (toward Elbe & Ashford) once you get to Elbe, take 706.
6. Take 706 leading to Ashford & Whittaker's Bunkhouse. A few miles further on, you'll come to the great wooden gates of the park and the beautiful winding road to Paradise (allow 30-45 minutes from the entrance to Paradise). Remember that you will need to purchase (cash only onsite) either a day or annual pass to get into Mt. Rainier National Park. The Single Visit Pass is $15 and the Annual Pass is $30. You can purchase in advance via fax or phone. There is also a $80 National Parks Annual Pass for access to all federal recreation sites. More details.