Comet Falls is one of Mount Rainier’s most incredible waterfalls. It plunges more than 300 feet into a gorge carved by centuries of glacial force.
Most hikers observe Comet Falls from afar. It’s a massive waterfall that you can both see and hear at a distance. But my experience hiking to Comet Falls was a bit different.
When I hiked to Comet Falls, the trail was enveloped in dense fog. Visibility was so low that I could barely make out the forest around me. But step by step, a streak of water began to appear through the mist, until I found myself standing under the falls themselves.
The cascade of water roared over the cliffside. It was so immense that you could feel its gravitational power as the water slammed on the ground. Mist blasted my face and fogged my camera lens as I tried to snap a photo.
But after I left the falls, mildly soaked, I had an adrenaline rush that can only come from being in the vicinity of such a powerful natural wonder.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking to Comet Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. I’ll share how to get there, what the trail is like, and tips from my own hiking experience to help you plan your adventure hiking to the tallest waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park.
Comet Falls Complete Hiking Guide
The Comet Falls Trail is a 3.8-mile out-and-back hike with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain. It’s a moderately challenging hike, but there are epic views all along the way.
The trail to Comet Falls follows the Van Trump Creek up a rocky, forested valley.
Along the way, you’ll pass two other waterfalls: Christine Falls and Bloucher Falls. Both of these waterfalls are incredible in their own right. There are also plenty of spots to step off the trail and look down at the creek as it carves its way through the gorge below.
The trail begins at the Comet Falls Trailhead. Climb the steps on the right side of the parking lot to enter the forest.
The trail is mild at first, and you’ll reach Christine Falls after hiking about 0.3 miles. A sturdy wooden bridge crosses directly over Christine Falls. Stop on the bridge for a view of the waterfall rushing through the gorge below. If you’re short on time, Christine Falls is a great turnaround point for a short nature walk.
After crossing the bridge over Christine Falls, the trail begins to incline as it weaves through the forest.
Soon, the trail breaks out into rocky switchbacks as it follows the Van Trump Creek up the valley. The distant roar of the creek accompanies you for the remainder of the hike.
About 1.5 miles up the trail, you’ll cross a narrow log footbridge over the East Fork Van Trump Creek. As you approach the bridge, the incredible 3-tiered Bloucher Falls reveals itself upstream.
Bloucher Falls is an incredible sight in itself. But that’s not why you hiked all this way.
Just a bit further up the trail, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Comet Falls. Unlike many waterfalls that remain hidden until the last moment, Comet Falls reveals itself early. It’s visible from multiple vantage points as you hike closer and closer.
Comet Falls has two tiers. The upper tier is a massive cascade that drops more than 300 feet. As you approach the waterfall, a small side path gets you closer to the base of the upper cascade.
Fair warning: Comet Falls throws off a powerful mist that soaks everything in its vicinity. Expect damp clothes and fogged camera lenses, but feeling the sheer force of the falls up close is worth it.
If you have more time, consider pushing further to Van Trump Park. It’s a scenic alpine meadow known for views of Mount Rainier. Unfortunately, when I visited Van Trump Park, it was completely fogged in, so I didn’t get to see any of the famous views that Van Trump Park is known for.
Comet Falls Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 3.8 miles out and back to Comet Falls.
- Hike Duration: The Comet Falls Hike takes approximately 3-4 hours total.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is moderate. The trail is in decent shape. There are a few rocky parts on the trail, but it can be hiked by most people as long as you take your time.
- Hike Incline: The hike has an elevation gain of about 1500 feet. The trail is uphill from the trailhead to the falls, with a few steeper portions.
- Dogs are NOT allowed on this trail because it is located in Mount Rainier National Park.
- A Mount Rainier Entrance Pass is required to hike to Comet Falls
How to get to the trailhead for Comet Falls
The trailhead for Comet Falls is located along the Paradise Valley Road. The best way to get there is through the Longmire entrance on the southwest side of Mount Rainier National Park.
There is a small pullout on the side of the road with about a dozen or so parking stalls. But Comet Falls is a popular hike, so those parking stalls tend to fill up quickly. Alternatively, you can park in one of the pullouts on the side of the road near the trailhead as long as it’s safe to do so.
The trailhead is located on the right side of the parking area. You’ll see a set of stairs with signs marking the trail entrance for Comet Falls.
The map location below for the trailhead for Comet Falls is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Comet Falls Hike in Mount Rainier: My Experience
Most people wait for nice sunny days to hit the trails. But not me. I like hiking in rough weather. It creates unique atmospheres and experiences that I never forget.
So when dense fog rolled in over Mount Rainier, I didn’t let that stop me. Instead, I hit the Comet Falls Trail, hoping the moody weather would give me a different perspective on the mountain.
I won’t lie. Part of me hoped the fog would burn off so I could catch some views.
Things looked promising at first.
As I crossed the wooden bridge over Christine Falls, I could still see my surroundings. But as I hiked up the rocky switchbacks and into the valley, the fog thickened. The more I hiked, the foggier it got. And soon enough, I could barely see the trees across the valley.
But I didn’t let that stop me from having fun. Every so often, I hopped over toward the edge of the trail to peer down at Van Trump Creek. Nearly the entire creek was one long cascade of waterfalls piled on top of each other as it carved through the gorge. It was a sight to see in itself.
After hiking for a while, a surprise came. I rounded a corner and spotted a wooden log footbridge crossing over the East Fork of Van Trump Creek. At first, it seemed like just another stream crossing.
But as I approached the bridge, I saw something incredible. The three-tiered Bloucher Falls roared upstream, serving as a backdrop for the bridge crossing. I realized that there was no shortage of views on this trail. It was hard to believe that this view was not even why I was there.
Once I was across the bridge, I finally got my first glimpse of Comet Falls. At first, it looked pretty modest. It was a smaller waterfall cascading through a rocky valley, the stream weaving around. It looked tranquil, almost Eden-like.
But then I discovered the truth: the main cascade of Comet Falls was still hidden, shrouded in dense fog. I couldn’t even see it!
As I continued up the trail, the 300-foot main cascade of Comet Falls slowly revealed itself. The ribbon of water poked through the mist. But I still couldn’t see the top. The waterfall was so tall that it seemed to vanish into the clouds.
I approached Comet Falls to get a closer look. It plunged down the cliffside, creating a vortex of air in its wake.
Once I crested the ridge and overlooked its basin, I started to feel its real power. Mist from the falls crashed down, then sprayed up and enveloped me, dampening me and all my gear. Getting near Comet Falls was a timed event if I didn’t want to get completely soaked.
Being near Comet Falls was a powerful experience. By the time I turned back down the trail, I was damp like I’d just sought refuge from a storm. My heart rate slowly steadied, but the feeling of being in the wake of a colossal waterfall in the fog stayed with me.
Comet Falls Trail Photos
Here are more photos of my hike to Comet Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. I hope they help give you an idea of what hiking the trail is like in the fog.
More Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
We’re based in Seattle and have done a ton of hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best trails we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our ultimate Mount Rainier hiking guide: 20 Incredible Hikes in Mount Rainier: Complete Travel Guide
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobblers Knob
- Rocky peak with an unobstructed view of Mount Rainier: Pinnacle Peak
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- The tallest waterfall in Mount Rainier: Comet Falls
- A short hike that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
- 3-night backpacking adventure in Mount Rainier: Northern Loop Trail
I hope you enjoyed my guide to Comet Falls in Mount Rainier National Park! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
