Wildflower hikes
Grand Park
Amidst the immense rugged and steep terrain of MRNP Grand Park seems oddly out of place. The marvelous nearly 1.5 mile flat plateau is a wildflower wonder. Two of the park’s endemic plants can be easily found here. The distance is approximately 9.0 miles round trip which includes an extension to a fabulous viewpoint off of the Northern Loop Trail.
Starting point: Forest Service Road 73
Area map number: 12
The secret of Grand Park’s access via the ‘back door’ is long since out of the bag. Most guidebooks suggest the ‘classic’ route through Berkeley Park which increases the distance considerably (see Berkeley Park Wildflower Hike). The trailhead for this route is found where FS Road 73 crosses Eleanor Creek which is 10 miles from Hwy. 410. The right turn off Hwy. 410 onto FS 73 is approximately 6.2 miles from Greenwater. The boot path to Lake Eleanor is not shown on most maps. Because of this route consider this a backcountry hike and prepare accordingly.
As always, check conditions before setting out!
Get more important wildflower hiking information
Read about being prepared for Mount Rainier Hiking
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