Old Desolate is a multi-summit, ridge-like mountain in Mount Rainier National Park, about five miles north of Mount Rainier’s summit at the western edge of Vernal Park. Its isolated position gave rise to its descriptive name, which was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The mountain has three recorded high points, with the central summit highest, and its outer peaks roughly a mile apart. Its slopes send water east to the West Fork White River and west to the Carbon River. In the marine west coast climate of the western Cascades, heavy precipitation and winter snow are common, while summer usually brings the clearest conditions.