/McClure Rock TourCamp Muir/McClure Rock Tour
Map: Mt. Rainier- East
The climb to Camp Muir is a full day event that gives the skier a fantastic long run down the Muir snowfield after a long day of climbing. The climb to 10,800 feet for most sea level dwellers is a challenging one as it seems there is no air at that elevation when you ascend so quickly in a day. This ski is ideal in good weather and should only be done when visibility is reliable. Traveling blind on this snowfield has been fatal for several skiers and hikers in the past. Having a GPS or using wands can assist if the weather turns while you are on the mountain, but heading up into a whiteout will not give you the day of skiing you are looking for.
Start: Paradise Parking Lot - 5400 ft.
High Point: Camp Muir (10,400 ft.) or McClure Rock (7800 ft)
Level: Advanced
Duration: 5-9 hours depending on the tour
Season: October - July. Big sun cups are common late season.
Start from the Paradise parking lot and head north along what would be the Skyline trail toward Panaroma Point. Follow the climbing track up the face of Panaroma Point to the base of the Muir Snowfield. Once on the Point, you can see the rocky ridge that marks the eastern edge of the snow field and its rocky prominences. The uptrack parallels the edge all the way up to Camp Muir. It is an obvious route in good weather but not so in poor visibility. A steady pace with a few breaks on the way up will get you there is 3-5 hours depending on your climbing speed. Pay attention to your progress in winter to be sure you have enough daylight to make the return. The Muir snowfield is a pleasure to ski with its gentle slope extending for 4000 ft of descent. The most difficult slope is the face of Panarama Point especially if it is sun-warmed or wind slab. This is also done at the end of the day when your legs have been worked hard already. The return route from the top is basically straight down the snowfield and back down the same route as the uptrack from Panorama Point on down.