Hansen Ridge Trail

Hansen Ridge Trail is a pleasant outing without too much effort required. Although parts of the trail are quite overgrown, you’ll get nice peeks of Mount Rainier, especially if you go clockwise.

The hike begins from the parking area. Head roughly north along the base of the mountain, following the trail as it wraps all the way around the northern side of the mountain. The trail takes a very sharp left turn at the top of the loop.

After the turn, there is a spur trail that takes you to the summit if you’d like to add some distance (and a much better view than the rest of the trail has). To do so, take this trail and then keep left at the junction, wrapping around into the summit.

If you’re not summit-bound, simply continue traversing above your approach trail, wrapping around the mountain as you eventually hike southwest. The trail curves to the east and then sharply turns west before making a final broad curve back to the trailhead.