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- Little Tahoma
11,101 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Little Tahoma
Little Tahoma is an 11,101 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the East Shoulder: 14 mi, 7,600 ft of gain, Class 3.
Little Tahoma at a glance
- Elevation11,101 ft3,383 m
- RouteEast ShoulderClass 3
- Distance14 mi7,600 ft gain
- Time2 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun – Aug
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the East Shoulder
Enter Mount Rainier National Park at the White River Entrance off SR 410 and drive 3 miles to the Fryingpan Creek trailhead. Hike the Wonderland Trail 4.2 miles to Summerland, climb a ridge to the Meany Crest camp, rope up on the Fryingpan Glacier to the 9,000-foot notch, cross the Whitman Glacier, and scramble a loose gully to an exposed Class 3 summit. Rockfall grows worse as snow melts. The trailhead is closed for a bridge project through 2029, so start from White River Campground (about 5.6 miles more RT) and check Wonderland Trail status. A Mount Rainier climbing permit and a wilderness permit are required, plus the entrance fee.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Mountaineering Boots
Gaiters
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Rope
Harness
Carabiners
Belay Device
Glacier Glasses
What to watch for
- Rockfall
- Crevasses
- Glacier travel
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
Quests with Little Tahoma
Washington 100 HighestPeaks near Little Tahoma
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Little Tahoma?
Little Tahoma is 11,101 feet (3,383 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Little Tahoma?
The East Shoulder is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 14 miles with 7,600 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Little Tahoma?
Most climbers plan 2 days for the East Shoulder, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Little Tahoma dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Little Tahoma?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the East Shoulder, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
When is the best time to climb Little Tahoma?
The usual climbing window is June to August. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Little Tahoma with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list