Mt Rainier

Mt Rainier

Hikes of interest:

• Paradise: Panorama Point
• White River: Glacier Basin
• Sunrise: Fremont Lookout Tower

Mt Rainier immediately occupies the fascination of any visitor to Seattle – that is, if it’s clear outside. It’s hard not to stare at the immense mountain seeming to loom over the city no matter where you are. Washington’s tallest mountain is certainly one of its busiest as well. The mountain is a national park and has several visitor centers. The most popular is Paradise on the south side and for good reason. The views to the south from this center are amazing, with the nearby Tatoosh Range and on clear days – Mt Adams and Mt St Helens. The popular hike to Panorama Point leaves the visitor center and after quickly gaining elevation, treats you to an amazing view that may even include Mt Hood in Oregon on a really clear day. There are numerous trails in the nearby meadows surrounding the visitor center that should provide entertainment for all whether it is the beautiful meadows of wildflowers or spotting the various wildlife from birds to deer to fuzzy little marmots. Paradise is also the starting point for the most popular climbing routes up the mountain, since many people pass through Camp Muir.

On the east side of the mountain you pass by the White River on your way to the highest visitor center on the mountain, Sunrise. The Glacier Basin trail from White River is a decent hike that gets you in close to the mountain. It does not provide the panoramic views from the other places though as you are low on the mountain and surrounded by trees to the east, but it was an enjoyable hike and my first ever. The Sunrise Visitor center is only open a few months during the summer but provides numerous trails to trek along. A great hike is to the Fremont Fire Lookout. Moderate elevation gain lands you at this tower with an amazing view of Mt Rainier to the south (you’re only half way up the mountain at this point just over 7,000’!) and the Cascades to the north.