Northern Loop Trail,
Mount Rainier National Park
Elevation
The Northern Loop Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,398 ft., a minimum elevation of 2,976 ft. and an elevation range of 3,422 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 16.2 mi | 2,976 ft | 6,398 ft | 3,422 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 8.3 hrs | 138.3 | 1,660 ft | 4,761 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 9.2 hrs | 396.8 | 4,761 ft | 1,660 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Northern Loop Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Bearhead Mountain, WA
- North Topo Map: Clear West Peak, WA
- Northeast Topo Map: Sun Top, WA
- West Topo Map: Mowich Lake, WA
- Topo Map: Sunrise, WA
- East Topo Map: White River Park, WA
- Southwest Topo Map: Mount Rainier West, WA
- South Topo Map: Mount Rainier East, WA
- Southeast Topo Map: Chinook Pass, WA
FAQ
What is the length of the Northern Loop Trail?
The length of the trail is 16.2 miles (26.1 km) or 36,858 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Northern Loop Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 8.3 hours in one direction and in 9.2 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.