Most people know Mount Rainier for its glacier-capped summit, but what makes it even more interesting are the smaller peaks scattered around its slopes, each one offering a unique perspective of the “mother mountain.”
Tucked into the northeast side of Rainier, Skyscraper Mountain is one of the most rewarding of these side peaks. From its summit, you get sweeping views over the wide-open meadows of Grand Park and Berkeley Park, an angle you usually only see from high-altitude climbs.
And the best part? You don’t need climbing skills to get there. All it takes is a steady pace, a bit of balance on rocky sections, and determination to finish the hike.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before hiking to Skyscraper Mountain in Mount Rainier National Park, including how to get there, what to expect on the trail, and tips from my own experience to help you make the most of your hike to this panoramic viewpoint in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier.
Skyscraper Mountain Complete Hiking Guide
Skyscraper Mountain is a peak that sits at about 7,000 feet in elevation on the northeast side of Mount Rainier. It provides a sweeping 360° panoramic view of the surrounding area, including Mount Fremont, Berkeley and Grand Parks, the Winthrop Glacier, the Burroughs Mountains, and, of course, the massive north face of Rainier itself.
Skyscraper Mountain can be done as a day hike from the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park.
From Sunrise, the hike to the summit of Skyscraper Mountain is a 7.8-mile out-and-back hike with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s a moderate/hard hike with a class 2 scramble as you make the final push up to the top of Skyscraper Mountain.
The hike to Skyscraper Mountain begins at the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park. From the trailhead, take the Sourdough Ridge Trail heading west toward Frozen Lake. This first stretch of trail provides views of Rainier’s northeast face.
At Frozen Lake, you’ll reach a 5-way trail junction. From there, follow the Wonderland Trail toward Granite Creek. The path dips into Berkeley Park, which will be blanketed with wildflowers during summertime.
Eventually, the trail leads you to a mountain pass at the base of Skyscraper Mountain. Look for the unmaintained but well-worn path branching off to the right toward the summit of Skyscraper.
The ascent starts as a steep hike over rocky terrain before transitioning into a Class 2 scramble near the top.
You may need to use your hands for balance in spots, but there’s no technical climbing involved.
Take it slow, watch your footing, and soon you’ll pop out onto the rocky summit.
From the top of Skyscraper Mountain, take your time soaking it all in. Grand Park’s flat, forest-fringed meadow is to the north, while the Burroughs rise across the valley to the south.
And of course, Rainier’s summit looms nearby unobstructed. It’s a vantage point where many landscapes of Mount Rainier come together in a single frame.
Skyscraper Mountain Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is about 7.8 miles out and back to the peak of Skyscraper Mountain.
- Hike Duration: The Skyscraper Mountain Hike takes approximately 5-6 hours total.
- Hike Difficulty: The trail’s difficulty is moderate/hard. The trail to the mountain is in good shape. However, the ascent up Skyscraper Mountain itself is an unmaintained trail with parts that require scrambling. It is not a difficult scramble, but if you are uncomfortable using your hands for balance, then the ascent up to the peak will be challenging.
- Hike Incline: The hike has an elevation gain of about 2000 feet. The trail goes uphill from Sunrise to the Sourdough Ridge Trail, then drops downhill as it enters Berkeley Park. After a relatively flat hike through Berkeley Park, the trail goes uphill again as it approaches the pass at the base of Skyscraper Mountain. The final ascent up to the peak of Skyscraper Mountain is a steep uphill scramble.
- 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 Skyscraper Mountain. Skyscraper Mountain is located in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park and also requires a Sunrise Timed Entry reservation ahead of time.
How to get to the trailhead for Skyscraper Mountain
The Skyscraper Mountain hike begins at the Sourdough Ridge Trailhead in the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier National Park.
But getting to Sunrise comes with some access rules.
Because it’s one of the most visited parts of the park, you’ll need a Sunrise Timed Entry Reservation during the peak summer season. This permit is required for day-use access and can be booked in advance starting in May through the Recreation.gov website.
If you miss the initial release, a limited batch of additional tickets becomes available the day before your visit at 7 PM.
The map location below for the start of the Skyscraper Mountain hike is accurate and can be used to navigate there.
Skyscraper Mountain Hike in Mount Rainier: My Experience
My hike up Skyscraper Mountain was an absolutely wild ride.
I had planned a short day from Sunrise to Fire Creek as the start of my Wonderland North Loop backpacking trip, and since I had a little extra time, I decided to add on a side trip up Skyscraper.
What I didn’t count on were the winds. 25 mph gusts at ground level that grew into full-on gales as they whipped over the mountain. Looking back, I still can’t decide whether hiking to the summit was a mistake or just a story I was meant to collect.
When I left Sunrise and started up the Sourdough Ridge Trail, the wind was already blowing, but not particularly noticeable.
That changed after reaching Frozen Lake.
The gusts picked up, whipping up dirt and dust into the air. Every so often, I had to turn my head to avoid getting a face full of grit. That was the first moment I thought: Okay, this wind is actually something I need to pay attention to.
But still, I didn’t think much of the wind at the time as I passed through Berkeley Park.
I stopped to chat with a group of hikers who had found what was seemingly the only place devoid of wind on the trail. After stopping next to them for a break, I moved ahead and soon reached the pass at the base of Skyscraper.
From below, the Skyscraper Mountain didn’t look too intimidating. The trail to the top was short, and the slope wasn’t terribly steep.
Then I started hiking.
Step by step, the wind got stronger. I’m not sure if it was the elevation or just the way the mountain funneled the gusts, but the higher I went, the more intense the wind got.
More than once, I was nearly knocked off my feet.
I was grateful that the gusts blew away from the cliff. If they had been coming from the other direction, I wouldn’t have continued.
It’s hard to tell from the photos, but every step up the mountain was a challenge. Every time I lifted my foot, the wind pressure tried to knock me down.
By the time I reached the summit, the winds were excruciating. I snapped a few quick photos, but there wasn’t much time to savor the moment.
But the views were spectacular. The summit of Rainier, Grand Park, Berkeley Park, and the Burroughs were all visible at once. Unfortunately, I couldn’t linger for long.
On my way down, I passed the group I had met earlier as they began their own ascent. I gave them a quick report of what they were about to face and wished them luck.
From there, I dropped back into the Wonderland Trail and continued into Berkeley Park to continue my journey on the Wonderland North Loop.
I’d already gone for a crazy ride, and it was only my first day on the trail. Skyscraper Mountain was supposed to be a quick side quest, but it set the tone for the rest of my backpacking trip.
Skyscraper Mountain Hike Photos
Here are a few more photos of my hike to Skyscraper Mountain. I hope they help give you an idea of what the hike is like.
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.
- Hike to a subalpine meadow with views of the Tahoma Glacier: Emerald Ridge Hike
- An old fire watch tower sitting atop a rocky peak: Gobbler’s Knob
- Lesser-known spot for camping in Mount Rainier: Lake George
- Wooden fire watch tower with one of the all time best views in Mount Rainier: Fremont Lookout
- Explore the wildflower meadows below Rainier at Summerland, or proceed further to glacial moraines of Panhandle Gap
- Hike through a rocky, tundra-like landscape with close-up views of Rainier’s summit: Burroughs Mountain Trail
- A short hike in the Sunrise area that has big views without big crowds: Dege Peak
I hope you enjoyed my hiking guide to Skyscraper Mountain in Mount Rainier National Park. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
