This is a little-known gem among the many trails above Paradise, offering a close-up glacier experience without crowds to distract you from the stunning views.

Take your pick of routes through the maze of paved trails above Paradise, aiming northwestish toward the one named Dead Horse Creek Trail. 0.7 miles from the parking lot, the unpaved and easily missed Moraine Trail turns off to the left. This is only officially maintained for its first 0.1 mile, but the unmaintained part is easy to follow although wet, rocky, and rooty in places.

The trail descends into the valley of the Nisqually Glacier, ending on the ridge of a dramatic lateral moraine. This is a huge mound of loose dust and rocks, piled up by the glacier of years gone by (the Nisqually has retreated nearly a mile over the last 150 years). Enjoy the views of moraine, glacier, and mountain, but be careful on the edge of the moraine which is steep and loose underfoot!