Comet Falls Trail is a short but serious Mount Rainier hike, climbing from the road near Christine Falls into a gorge of polished rock, bridges, and white water. The destination is Comet Falls, a tall, wind-blown drop that feels wilder than its distance from the road suggests.
The trail is steep and often wet, with snow lingering early in the season and slippery footing near the creek crossings. Strong hikers can continue toward Van Trump Park for meadows and mountain views, but the waterfall alone is a satisfying half-day outing from the Longmire-Paradise corridor.