Panhandle Gap

Panhandle Gap is a high pass in the U.S. state of Washington, on a ridge to the east of Mount Rainier, lying near the low point between Little Tahoma Peak and the Cowlitz Chimneys. The hike to the gap along the Wonderland Trail, which can be joined 0.1 miles (0.16 km) from Fryingpan Creek Trailhead on Sunrise Road, has been described as "possibly the best day hike" in Mount Rainier National Park; it is 10.6 miles (17.1 km) roundtrip with 3,000 feet (910 m) of elevation gain. The hike is one of the most popular in the park, and can be crowded between late July and September, and it can be difficult to find parking at the trailhead. It has been rated both easy and strenuous. After Summerland—a campsite on a knob about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the trailhead and 1.3 miles (2.1 km) below Panhandle Gap—the trail can be hard to follow, crossing Fryingpan Creek can be hazardous, and in winter and spring there can also be avalanche risk approaching the gap. At around 6,750 feet (2,060 m), the gap is the highest point on the Wonderland Trail encircling the mountain. South of the gap, the Wonderland Trail continues towards Indian Bar and Box Canyon, as the terrain drops off into Ohanapecosh Park, which drains into the Ohanapecosh River. The most popular climbing routes to Banshee Peak and the Cowlitz Chimneys arrive via Panhandle Gap, and while Banshee is a walk-up, the Middle Cowlitz Chimne

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