Summit Lake
Mount Rainier Area
As of February 16, 2026, access to Summit Lake via the Carbon River area is indefinitely closed due to the Fairfax Bridge (SR-161) closure, as reported on April 14, 2025.
Previous reports from winter 2024-2025 indicate significant snow and ice accumulation. High clearance, 4WD vehicles with potential chains or recovery gear were recommended for the road leading to the trailhead, with some drivers parking miles below due to impassable conditions (December 1, 2024; January 12, 2025; February 28, 2025). Snowshoes were consistently required from the trailhead onwards, with several feet of snow reported around the lakes (January 12, 2025; February 28, 2025). Crampons were also recommended (December 4, 2024). Some reports noted a packed trail to the summit, but post-holing was still present (December 1, 2024).
generated from 28 reports
Sources
We rode our bikes up to Summit Lake, and thanks to the road closure had it all to ourselves! It's about 21 miles to bike in and the final 5 miles are a bit of a slog, but it's fun to be up there with ...
Summary:A successful scramble of Rooster Comb Ridge to Summit Lake with plans for Bearhead East, but road conditions and timing changed the equation. The ridge remains passable and scenic, with a few ...
Sad news-- Fairfax Bridge (SR-161) is closed indefinitely. No access to Carbon River area, including Summit Lakehttps://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2025/sr-165-carbon-river-fairfax-bridge-closed-until-fu...
Road to trail is rough (high clearance strongly recommended) until about 2 miles from trailhead, then became impassable due to snow/ice. In the lead up to trailhead it was nice to have microspikes but...
Parked about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, at the 7810/7820 junction. Walked up the road.Snowshoes are needed after the twin lakes, snow is several feet deep and i saw several places where people have...
Wonderful sunset hike. The last mile on the forest road is very sketchy and easy to get stuck. I have a lifted 4wd truck and still almost got stuck. Driving down was even more dangerous with the ice. ...
Beautiful day! We got to trailhead around 9am and helped a car that was stuck and had flat tire. Was happy I put shovel in car. Parking lot very snowy and easy to get stuck so recommend high clearan...
Totally gorgeous time to be hiking to Summit Lake! Fairly cold day with a good amount of snow. Snow started on the road about a mile before the parking lot and the whole hiking trial was covered. Got ...
Bottom Line:Whoa! Work has been done on NF-7810, transforming it from a high-clearance obstacle course into a road drivable by most cars! Accessibility to this trail is now greatly improved. Unlikethe...
tried to hike for sunrise, but Rainer stayed hidden!Road up has no snow/ice the whole way up, but terrible with the rocks and ruts!Trail Condition: Some streams in the beginning that make the sections...
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