WaterfallNear Me

Upper Comet Falls

Pierce County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Pierce County, Washington
Access status
Partial guide: national park trail; distance to this falls not confirmed and the creek crossing has no bridge
The walk
Distance to this falls is not confirmed; NPS gives 1.8 miles to the base of Comet Falls
Ground & access
Steady uphill forest trail with switchbacks above Comet Falls. Waterfalls Northwest reports that the bridge at the Van Trump Creek crossing is out. A closer view requires rock hopping among large boulders.
National Park Service: Comet Falls and Van Trump Park Trail
Upper Comet Falls, WA
Upper Comet Falls, WA
Photo creditPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Upper Comet Falls is a 35-foot falls on Van Trump Creek in Mount Rainier National Park, above Comet Falls. Hike the Comet Falls Trail to Comet Falls; NPS says the trail then switchbacks uphill to the junction with the Comet Falls/Rampart Ridge Trail, with Van Trump Park to the right. Waterfalls Northwest says to stay left at this first junction above Comet Falls and descend to the crossing of Van Trump Creek. The falls are visible upstream from the crossing. Getting closer means rock hopping among large boulders in the creek bed. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Comet Falls Trailhead on the road to Paradise, the Comet Falls Trail past Comet Falls to the junction above it, then the trail toward Rampart Ridge to the Van Trump Creek crossing, where the falls are seen upstream

NPS says the trail climbs 1.8 miles to the base of Comet Falls, then switchbacks 0.8 mile uphill to the junction with the Comet Falls/Rampart Ridge Trail. Waterfalls Northwest places Upper Comet Falls about 1/4 mile above Comet Falls but also says to hike the trail for 3.75 miles. The sources do not give one consistent distance to this falls.

Steady uphill forest trail with switchbacks above Comet Falls. Waterfalls Northwest reports that the bridge at the Van Trump Creek crossing is out. A closer view requires rock hopping among large boulders.

Where to start

Comet Falls trailhead, four miles east of Longmire on the road to Paradise. NPS says parking space is limited and often full, and there is no additional parking nearby.

Timing & water

No season is stated. Check road and trail conditions with the park before going.

Before you go

Mount Rainier National Park entrance requirements apply. Pets are not allowed on park trails.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Pierce County, Washington.

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