Eagle Peak Trail

Eagle Peak Trail

• Distance, round trip: 7.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 2955 feet
• Hiking time, round trip: 5 hours
• Wilderness camps: none

Trailhead Location

Entering Longmire from the southwest via the Nisqually Entrance, drive past the National Park Inn, and turn right at the two-story building with the flagpole. Continue straight through the employee housing area and across a suspension bridge. The trailhead is located 300 feet past the suspension bridge. Parking is limited. NOTE: The Nisqually Suspension Bridge has a weight limit of 3 tons (6,000 pounds or 2721 kilograms). Vehicles over this weight limit CANNOT cross the bridge, including recreational vehicles (campers/trailers/motorhomes), maintenance trucks, box trucks, and medium trucks/SUVs pulling campers or trailers. Large trucks/SUVS can exceed the weight limit even without trailers. If your vehicle cannot cross the bridge, park in the main Longmire parking area near the National Park Inn and cross the bridge on foot.

Trail Description

This peak was originally known as Sim-layshe, a Native American word for eagle. When the Longmire family settled nearby, George Longmire anglicized the name to Eagle Peak.

For the first two miles the trail ascends steeply through dense forest to a small stream, then continues another mile to a meadow. Beyond the meadow the trail is much steeper and rocky as it climbs the final 0.5 mile to the 5700-foot saddle where the trail ends. Use extreme caution when you reach the saddle. This area is exposed and a fall could be deadly.

Along the Trail

Most of the trail lies in old growth forest. Lush subalpine flower fields surround the last 0.5 mile of the trail. Panoramic views await hikers who reaches Eagle Peak Saddle.

Backpacking

• There is no designated camp along this trail nor atop the Tatoosh Range.

Trail Regulations

• Always check current trail conditions before heading out. Current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Check hours of operation.
• Fires are prohibited.
• No pets on trails.
• Treat water before drinking.