About Comet Falls

Comet Falls is the crown jewel of Mount Rainier's waterfall hikes — a 320-foot multi-tiered plunge on Van Trump Creek that is the tallest waterfall in the national park. The trail to the falls is also one of the most demanding and beautiful on the mountain, climbing 1,600 feet through old-growth forest and subalpine meadow before delivering you to the base of the thundering cascade.

The area around the falls is particularly spectacular when summer wildflowers bloom in the meadows above — lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lily carpet the slopes with color. Views of Mount Rainier itself appear on the upper trail sections on clear days. This is a serious hike that earns a serious reward — one of the finest waterfall experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Trail Highlights

• 320-foot multi-tiered plunge — the tallest waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park
• Stunning subalpine meadow with wildflowers above the falls in July-August
• Mount Rainier views on the upper trail on clear days
• 1,600-foot gain delivers solitude above the lower trail crowds
• One of the most rewarding hard hikes in all of Washington State

Trail Description

From the Van Trump Park trailhead at Comet Falls on the Christine Falls pullout area, follow the trail steeply up Van Trump Creek. The lower trail passes the lower-tier Christine Falls before entering old-growth forest and climbing seriously.

After 1.9 miles of steep climbing the trail delivers you to the base of the 320-foot Comet Falls. The scale is enormous — multiple tiers of water visible simultaneously. Continue to Van Trump Park above for wildflowers and Rainier views. Return via the same steep trail.

Tips & What to Bring

• This is a demanding hike — start early and carry 2+ liters of water
• The trail is snow-covered until late June or early July — check park conditions before visiting
• Trekking poles are essential for the steep, rocky descent
• The upper wildflower meadow is as spectacular as the falls — don't skip it
• The Christine Falls lower-tier waterfall is visible from the road on the way to the trailhead

Getting There

From Ashford, WA, enter Mount Rainier National Park via the Nisqually Entrance on SR-706. Follow SR-706 toward Paradise. The Comet Falls trailhead is on the right approximately 9 miles past the park entrance near the Christine Falls bridge. GPS: 46.8100, -121.7400.