Unicorn Peak, Snow Lake

Activity Notes

We have the Group Site at Cougar Rock Campground reserved the night before (6/12/24).  Site F001, Loop F-Group.  This is, of course, optional.  It's a nice campsite, as close as one can camp to the trailhead, and a good opportunity to meet other folks on the climb.

Permits / Fees (Trail, entrance, parking):

Mt. Rainier NP requires a park pass for each vehicle (carpooling is recommended). A day pass is $30 while an annual pass is $55.  A one-year pass, America The Beautiful Pass, gives access to all National Parks and federal lands, and is $80 (it includes the NW Forest Pass).

Approach, climb, and descent:

From the Snow Lake trailhead, the first 1.5 miles to Snow Lake will be up and down, with little elevation gain. Then we ascend a steep draw up Unicorn Creek to the cirque below Unicorn, where things level out a bit. Then comes a steep climb perhaps on snow to the Unicorn saddle followed by a moderate snow or scree slope to the base of the summit pinnacle. Some easy 5th class rock and we’re on top. We will rappel from the pinnacle, then descend the same route. It should be about 5 hours up, plus 3 down, which will put us back to the cars at about 4 pm and the Copper Creek Restaurant (if so inclined) by 4.45pm.  The total ascent is approx. 2,400 vertical feet.