One Day at Mt. Rainier
At more than 14,400 feet, Mt. Rainier is visible from nearly everywhere in west-central Washington. This looming peak draws 2 million visitors a year and is one the the Northwest's most popular attractions. Easily accessible by highway from the greater Seattle area, the road skirts the mountain and makes for a spectacular scenic drive. Of course, if you want to explore off-road, a multitude of trails allow hiking throughout the park and even up onto the mountain's flanks.
Mt. Rainier is the second tallest mountain in the lower 48. This national park, about an hour and a half from Seattle, is 97% wilderness. The remaining 3% consists of National Historic Landmark Districts that are the most frequently visited and accessible parts of the park. The summit of Rainier is one of the world's best great climbin... More >
Mt. Rainier is the second tallest mountain in the lower 48. This national park, about an hour and a half from Seattle, is 97% wilderness. The remaining 3% consists of National Historic Landmark Districts that are the most frequently visited and accessible parts of the park. The summit of Rainier is one of the world's best great climbing challenges, but a guide, experience and proper gear are musts.
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The new Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise is a stunning building in a spectacular setting. The center displays information and exhibits about thte mountain and the park's history and has an excellent shop and bookstore where you can pick up that perfect souvenir or gift. If you're here at mealtime, the cafeteria has decent food.
This inn contains a hotel and restaurant, and is definitely worthy of a visit if only to inspect the mountain lodge lobby.
The Paradise Inn is a classic National Park hotel constructed with timbers and furnished with timber furniture. This inn contains a hotel and restaurant, and is definitely worthy of a visit if only to inspect the mountain lodge lobby. The inn is only open in summer (check the website for dates) and, in winter, is entirely buried undern... More >
The Paradise Inn is a classic National Park hotel constructed with timbers and furnished with timber furniture. This inn contains a hotel and restaurant, and is definitely worthy of a visit if only to inspect the mountain lodge lobby. The inn is only open in summer (check the website for dates) and, in winter, is entirely buried underneath the snow. The restaurant serves a great Sunday brunch and dinner selections include such mountain classics as Baked Rainbow Trout and Venison Shepard's Pie.
The drive to Sunrise on the east side of Mt. Rainier is breathtaking, as are the hiking trails once you're there. Many people just make the trip for the drive, ending the journey at the Sunrise Visitor Center and Day Lodge (no overnight lodging available). But from here, trails head up the flanks of the mountain, offering some of the b... More >
The drive to Sunrise on the east side of Mt. Rainier is breathtaking, as are the hiking trails once you're there. Many people just make the trip for the drive, ending the journey at the Sunrise Visitor Center and Day Lodge (no overnight lodging available). But from here, trails head up the flanks of the mountain, offering some of the best views you'll find. The lodge has guide service, a bookstore and cafeteria.
Mt. Rainier Park has hundreds of hiking trails, but The Grove of the Patriarchs interpretive trail in the Ohanapecosh area near the southeast entrance to the park is one of my favorites. It offers a 1.5-mile trail through an old growth forest of ancient cedars and firs. Some of these trees are more than 1,000 years old. The trail is fl... More >
Mt. Rainier Park has hundreds of hiking trails, but The Grove of the Patriarchs interpretive trail in the Ohanapecosh area near the southeast entrance to the park is one of my favorites. It offers a 1.5-mile trail through an old growth forest of ancient cedars and firs. Some of these trees are more than 1,000 years old. The trail is flat, easy and perfect for nearly every hiking ability.
| The trail is flat, easy and perfect for nearly every hiking ability.Mt. |
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