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Washington

MOUNT RAINIER

ESTABLISHED 1899


Named for the active volcano that dominates the area, Mount Rainier National Park holds a mythic status among city-dwellers from nearby Seattle, beckoning visitors with its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and historic inns.

Nestled against the south side of Mount Rainier is the perfectly named Paradise, an area filled with accessible trails that wind up the mountainside through technicolor fields of wildflowers. Here you gaze across the epic views of Unicorn Peak and its row of neighbors to the south. The twisting, turning road from the Nisqually Entrance reveals rushing waterfalls and evergreen-framed peaks at every turn—and offers an up-close look at Mount Rainier.

14,411

Elevation in ft (4,392 m) of the summit.

964

The number of plant species in the park.

1895

The last year the volcano erupted.

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The easy slopes of the Skyline Trail make it possible to focus entirely on the beautiful surrounds

Did You Know?

Of the 25 park glaciers, Emmons is the largest.

Hiker’s paradise

Hiking options abound, from afternoon strolls to serious climbing, offering something for everyone—a crowd-pleasing choice is the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point, a 5.5-mile (9-km) round trip. On a clear day, not only is there an unimpeded view of Mount Rainier, but mounts Adams, St. Helens, and Hood stand out on the horizon, too. The road to Paradise is usually open in winter, so when trails are snow-covered, pack your skis or snowshoes. The 93-mile (150-km) Wonderland Trail is a classic backpacking loop that encircles the mountain; sections can be done as day hikes. For the really experienced climber, a trek to the summit with a mountaineering guide is fantastic. Wherever you go, bring your good camera—and a wide-angle lens.

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One of the best parts of the Skyline Trail is called Panorama Point—which says it all

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A lavish grand lobby is just one reason the Paradise Inn is a National Historic Landmark

PARK PIONEERS

Dee Molenaar

Dee Molenaar was a ranger devoted to Mount Rainier. He climbed it more than 50 times, wrote books about it, and spent his 100th birthday in his wheelchair at its base. He was one of the climbers saved in 1953 by “The Belay,” Pete Schoening’s hair-raising group of six roped climbers who fell while descending K2 in the Karakoram Range in Pakistan.

The past in the present

Each corner of the enormous Mount Rainier National Park offers up its own delights. Longmire—namesake of homesteader James Longmire—is the gateway to Paradise and a designated historic district. Longmire built the first guest cabins here in 1889, soon adding a hotel and clubhouse, which is the oldest remaining building here. A self-guided walking tour among the historic buildings leads you through the district’s early days. Starting here, too, is the Trail of the Shadows, an accessible walk past hot springs and an early homestead. Longer treks include the 9-mile (15-km) Narada Falls Trail, with three waterfalls set deep in dense forest.

Cowlitz country

In the park’s southeast corner, Ohanapecosh is named for an ancient Taidnapam (Upper Cowlitz tribe) site meaning “standing at the edge.” Drier and warmer than Paradise, it’s famous for gorgeous fall colors and old-growth trees. Gentle trails meander among towering Douglas firs, Western hemlock, and red cedars, while following the glacial Ohanapecosh River. Longer hikes pass rushing waterfalls, while a jaunt along Hot Springs Trail leads to tiny hot-springs pools—too small to bathe in, but a sure sign of the forces that churn beneath.

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Just after Labor Day is the “sweet spot” for visiting—fine weather, fewer people.

In the northeast corner is the bustling Sunrise area. At 6,400 ft (1,950 m), this is the highest point in the park accessible by car. Visitors are met with 360-degree views of Mount Rainier and Emmons Glacier.

And then there’s “the quiet corner”—Carbon River and Mowich Lake. In the park’s early days, the area attracted dubious mining claims, some of which were land grabs by settlers or even poachers. None of the mines struck it rich, and preservationists won out when Congress ended mining in the park.

This corner’s charms lie in its peacefulness—the mellow, mossy hikes through temperate forest and pretty lakeside campsites at Mowich Lake. It’s an excellent place to cycle, particularly along the old Carbon River Road, which leads hikers and cyclists to an isolated backcountry campground.

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The park has four suspension bridges, three of which are footbridges only

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The Carbon River valley has been shaped by both glaciers and volcanic activity

Did You Know?

The Paradise area once held the world record for measured snowfall in a single year: 93½ ft (28.5 m) in 1971–2.

Through the Seasons

Spring The park awakes from its winter slumber in April—the perfect time for bracing hikes at lower elevations and seeing breathtaking waterfalls gushing at peak flow until June.

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Summer ▷ July and August offer up an unparalleled chance to cherish the sight of colorful wildflowers blooming across every alpine field. Stroll through picturesque meadows to spot daisies, asters, lilies, and more varieties.

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Fall ▷ September and October are the best months to explore popular trails. Slow down to admire towering trees that have stood for a thousand years on the Grove of the Patriarchs hike, a 1-mile (1.6-km) loop that takes you over the Ohanapecosh River.

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Winter ▷ Although most roads are closed, the snow-cloaked park remains open from November through May. Ski or snowshoe from Narada Falls parking lot to see Mount Rainier’s white-topped peak mirrored in the still waters of Reflection Lake. A sledding hill just above the upper parking lot at Paradise is the perfect playground for fun.

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