This will be a slow-paced meandering walking meditation, short distance, no rush. Just enjoying the beauty of nature & building community together under the evening light at Mount Rainier.
All hiking abilities are welcome & you are encouraged to bring friends, family, and children. Anyone is welcome!
We will conclude the hike with an optional reflection / sit, those who wish to can grab their blankets and cushions from their cars, and we’ll sit for a 50-minute quiet reflection and connection circle right at edge of Tipsoo Lake, as the sun sets across the face of the mountain, we can enjoy the alpenglow and shifting golden hues of light as a community.
Registration:
Please register for the hike at this link.
Details:
– Trail: Naches Peak Loop Trail, Mount Rainier
Gather at SIMS for Carpooling at 1:45pm, or meet us at Tipsoo Lake Trailhead at 4:15pm
– Distance: 3.3 miles
– Elevation Gain: ~600 feet
– Difficulty: Easy
Carpooling Info:
Meet at Seattle Insight, Aug 1st at 1:45pm. Strict departure at 2:00 pm.
4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
If people want to arrange carpools meetups outside of Seattle, you can express interest in the comments section at the end of the registration form linked above.
Date: Saturday Aug 1st, 2026
Carpool meeting time: 1:45 pm at Seattle Insight (4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105)
Trailhead meeting time: 4pm
Return time: Early Cohort 9:45pm, Sunset Sit Cohort 11pm.
Call Justin if you are running late (206) 446-0480
Schedule:
1:45 – 2:00 PM — Meet at SIMS: Everyone arrives at the center. Check-in, say hello, arrange carpools, pack your stuff into vehicles.
2:00 PM — Sharp Departure: All cars leave the SIMS parking lot. Call Justin if you are running late (206) 446-0480
4:00 – 4:30 PM — Gather at Trailhead: The drive from Seattle to the Tipsoo Lake/Chinook Pass parking lot typically takes about 2 hours depending on traffic. We should have some time to use the restrooms, grab our things, and start hiking at 4:45 PM.
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM — Hiking: 3.3-mile loop clockwise, slow, mindful pace. (back to cars at 7:30pm)
7:30 PM – Back at Tipsoo Lake, Early Cohort Departs: Finish the hike back at Tipsoo Lake, the early cohort can now depart to arrive back in Seattle around 9:45pm. Say our goodbyes.
7:45 PM — 8:35pm (50mins) Sunset Meditation Circle: Those who wish to remain can grab their blankets and cushions from their cars, settle in at the edge of Tipsoo Lake, and begin practice, 50-min reflection / connection / just enjoying the peak sunset alpenglow and golden hues shifting across the face of Mount Rainier, reflecting across the still water of the lake, and softly touching the alpine wildflowers of summer.
8:40 PM — Sunset Group Departs: Sunset group departs. Return to Seattle around 10:45pm.
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Layers, including a heavy fleece or puffy jacket. It will get chilly as the sun sets, we are at high elevation and Rainier weather is unpredictable. Expect cool autumn temperatures, low 40s. Bring a nice warm coat.
Sun protection (SPF 50+). The atmosphere is thinner at high elevations, providing little protection from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Sun protection is very important, we don’t want anyone getting skin cancer.
Packed lunch, and plenty of water. If you feel inclined, you can bring extra food or snacks to share with the group either during the hike or the sunset circle. If you have a 0.1 micron water filter, this can be nice for refilling water, but this hike is not particularly strenuous.
Bug spray / mosquito net / windbreaker. The mosquitos are at their peak around this time, they are truly ravenous. Definitely bring bug spray, and I also like to pack a baseball cap & mosquito net to put over it, as well as a windbreaker to protect my arms from bites. Be aware that DEET bug spray is harmful to synthetic fabrics & raincoats, picaridin is a good alternative.
Blankets & Sit Cushion / towel & mediation cushion / folding chair. if staying for the sunset reflection time. You can bring a foam sit cushion to sit on the ground for meditation / reflection. Alternatively, you could bring old towels to place under your meditation cushion, or use a folding chair. Since we will be returning to the cars before the sit, you won’t need to carry these things a long distance. Bring blankets to snuggle up in while we watch the sunset.
Friends, Family, Children! Anyone is welcome!
…except dogs, unfortunately dogs are prohibited to protect the fragile subalpine meadows and wildlife.
