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Mount Rainier National Park hiking guide

Comet Falls Trail

A 3.5-mile out-and-back with 1,280 ft of climbing in Paradise, rated difficult.

Comet Falls Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

Key facts

Length
3.5 mi (5.6 km)
Elevation gain
1,280 ft (391 m)
Route type
Out and back
Difficulty
Difficult
Area
Paradise
Highest point
4,909 ft
Lowest point
3,623 ft

About Comet Falls Trail

Hike through a narrow, avalanche-scarred valley to witness one of the tallest waterfalls in the area. The trail follows Van Trump Creek, offering views of smaller cascades before reaching the main attraction. Along the way, traverse old-growth forests and cross rugged terrain, with opportunities to spot wildlife like pikas and marmots. The waterfall's sheer scale and scenic surroundings make it a standout destination. For those continuing beyond, Van Trump Park offers stunning views of surrounding mountains and wildflowers in early summer.

Route map

Route map of Comet Falls Trail in Mount Rainier National Park0.5 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

This route was checked by Parka editors.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile of Comet Falls Trail4,0004,5000123Distance (miles)Elevation (ft)High 4,909 ftLow 3,623 ft
Elevation runs from 3,623 ft to 4,909 ft over 3.4 miles of mapped route. The profile is sampled from elevation data along the route.

Nearby in Paradise

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