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A lengthy run to a beautiful high meadow with especially excellent sunset views.


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Map Key

17.8

Miles

28.7

KM

80%

Runnable

5,966' 1,818 m

High

2,904' 885 m

Low

4,505' 1,373 m

Up

4,504' 1,373 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Fires are prohibited. No pets on trails. Treat water before drinking.

Overview

This high meadow is a favorite for many runners. It is surmised that the name Klapatche is of Indian origin but the exact meaning has been lost.

When the rest of the park is socked-in with clouds, this run's high meadow is generally above the cloudy fray.

Need to Know

The campsites at Klapatche Park are some of the most popular in the park and are often full on summer weekend nights. The camp is in the forest along the edge of the meadow just north of Aurora Lake. When Aurora Lake dries up in summer, St. Andrews Lake, located 0.75 mile east along the Wonderland Trail, is the closest water source. Permits are required for camping. Permits and current trail conditions are available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers.

Runner Notes

As always, Westside Road is great for running, but the rest of this beastly route (the Wonderland Trail portion) is very steep to run.

Description

One mile east of the Nisqually Entrance is the Westside Road junction. Turn here and continue up the Westside Road to where it ends (approximately 3 miles from the start of the road). Run up the closed portion of the road to the trailhead (approximately 4 miles) at South Puyallup River Trail.

The trail follows the South Puyallup River 1.8 miles to the junction with the Wonderland Trail. Take the Wonderland Trail north 3.9 miles, climbing a series of steep switchbacks to reach St. Andrews Park and then on to Klaptache Park.

Flora & Fauna

Klapatche Park features a serene mountain lake, meadows abundant with subalpine wildflowers, and grand views of Mount Rainier.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#7

in Longmire

#4331

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#7

in Longmire

#211

in Washington

#4,331

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2 Views Last Month
705 Since Mar 5, 2015
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Photos

View of Rainier and Liberty Cap above Westside Road
Jul 21, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Wet trail
Oct 5, 2021 near Eatonville, WA
Tahoma Creek from the Westside Road
Oct 5, 2021 near Eatonville, WA
Mount Rainier from Wonderland Trail.
Mar 5, 2015 near Eatonville, WA
Trail closed
Oct 5, 2021 near Eatonville, WA
A scenic cabin as seen from the Wonderland Trail, heading toward the South Payallup trail.
Dec 15, 2015 near Eatonville, WA

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