Name: Nisqually Chute
Rating: 5.0

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Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

In the winter, there is a gate closure at Longmire. Currently (March 15), the gate hours are 9:00-18:00 Monday through Friday // 8:00-21:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Note that the uphill gate closes a full hour before the official closing. (Check for more info: nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/… or twitter.com/MountRainierNPS)

Wilderness passes are required for all overnight camping and glacial travel. Climbing passes are required for all trips above 10,000 ft.

Overview

Enter the chute at ~8,300 ft. and enjoy a beautiful descent down to the edge of the Nisqually Glacier.

Need to Know

Be sure to recognize the moraine at the end of the run at ~6,600 ft. Otherwise, you may end up on the Nisqually Glacier. Of course, check avalanche conditions before dropping. The Muir Snowfield is ACTIVE and can crevasse, so late summer and early fall travelers should beware.

Description

This is a fun and narrow chute that is quickly accessible out of the Paradise parking lot. Follow the Muir Camp Approach and split off at 8,250 ft, a little bit above Sugar Loaf.

The entrance to the chute should be clearly noticeable, if you have hit 8,400 ft. you've gone too far. DO NOT DROP IN unless you are 100% sure you are in the right chute. There are big cliffs around the corner from the chute.

The chute is SW-facing and gets really corny middle to late afternoon/evening. It can be really tracked out and looks like an inbounds run on really crowded days, so keep looking above for rockfall and avalanches.

Take a short tour back to Panorama Face and take another lap!