Upper Christine Falls Hike

The Upper Christine Falls hike at Mt. Rainier National Park near Ashford, WA is an easy 0.6-mile out-and-back hike that leads to the turquoise-hued upper waterfalls of Christine Falls.

Explore Upper Christine Falls

This hike begins at the trailhead for the Van Trump Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park where you'll find a staircase that quickly leads up a steep hillside, following a switchback along the way. The elevation grade continues to be somewhat moderate for a couple-hundred feet beyond the trailhead as the path leads through a dense and dark forest with filtered daylight.

After a couple minutes of walking, the trail begins to follow an easy elevation grade as it slowly makes its way toward the Van Trump Creek gorge.

Upper Christine Falls & Gorge - Mile 0.3

Just 0.3-miles from the trailhead sits the scenic Van Trump Creek gorge with lush moss-covered cliffs, large ferns, and the turquoise-tinted waterfalls of Upper Christine Falls in the creek below. You'll find short waterfalls cascading through the gorge that make-up the upper portion of Christine Falls. Facing upstream provides the best views of these small waterfalls. Why are these waterfalls turquoise in color? Great question! The cascade's turquoise hues are created when rock flour is washed downstream from glacier-fed creeks and tributaries. Rock flour, which is simply tiny particles of ground-up rock, is created when glaciers grind the earth and bedrock into tiny pieces, which eventually get washed downstream.

On the southern side of the gorge are views of Upper Christine Falls' remaining cascades before the water is fed to the lower portion of the waterfall Christine Falls. You can use the footbridge to take photos at different angles and perspectives, but watch your step if focused on your camera, as a fall into the gorge would likely be deadly.

Hiking Out - Mile 0.3 to 0.6

If you plan to explore the Van Trump Trail further, there's another waterfall that sits several miles from this location near the end of the trail, Comet Falls which makes for a fun but longer day hike. If the gorge was all you came to see and explore, then the hike back to parking is easy. Simply follow the trail back downhill for a short and quick 0.6-mile hike within Mt. Rainier National Park's Paradise area.

Parking & Fees

Hikers will find a medium-sized parking turnout at the coordinates provided, located at the trailhead for the Van Trump Trail. The lot is large enough to fit a couple dozen vehicles as of June 2025. As of June 2025, there's a $25 entry fee for the park which is good for several days. If you plan ahead, you can speed up your entry with an Annual National Park's Pass.

Pets

All pets, including dogs, are not allowed on any trails within Mt. Rainier National Park, so please leave your dogs at home.

Warning

Cliffs: This hike leads to the Van Trump Creek gorge where you'll find very steep cliffs and drop-offs that plummet into the rushing water below. Stay on-trail for your own safety and watch your step around the raised footbridge that spans the gorge. A slip into the gorge would likely result in immediate injury and drowning.