Is a family trip to Mount Rainier on your Washington bucket list? Not only is Mount Rainer National Park one of the most glorious parks in all of Washington (and the country, really), but it's also home to some truly wondrous waterfalls that tend to get a bit overshadowed by the eponymous peak. Myrtle Falls, for example, is an underrated gem that's one of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in Washington. Let's go for a hike...
Myrtle Falls tumbles 72 feet into a rocky gorge, all with a perfect view of Mount Rainier in the background.
And since you won't ever have to veer off the beaten path to find it, it's an easy trek.
Myrtle Falls is found at the end of the short Skyline Trail, which begins at the Paradise Inn.
Just follow the signs to the trail from the parking lot.
The entire hike is about a mile long out-and-back.
And while it's a pretty easy nature walk, keep in mind you'll definitely be heading straight uphill for the first half.
The walk may be short, but you'll want to take it slowly so you can enjoy all the views.
Paradise is appropriately named. You'll be enjoying some of the area's finest scenery.
To reach the falls, you'll cross a small footbridge over Edith Creek Basin and take a left off the path.
This is one of the most photographed parts of the entire park -- the waterfall is underrated, but that definitely doesn't mean it's undiscovered.
It's not every day you can enjoy views of a waterfall and a majestic mountain at the same time.
Honestly, it's worth coming to the park for this trail alone (although you'll have much more you'll want to see).
The Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls is ranked as easy by the experts, and the best time to enjoy it is from June to September.
Keep an eye out for both wildlife and wildflowers when you're here. They're both spotted pretty frequently in the summer.
Have you taken this scenic trail yet? What's your favorite waterfall hike in our state? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
And before you Google "waterfalls near me in Washington," for your next hiking adventure, check out this easy waterfall hike in Olympic Peninsula and this scenic trek in the South Cascades.
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