2 Rainier Gems
The park is filled with natural gems. We include our favorites in this section.
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Andesite Columns
Cooling andesite lava flows formed these columns, which are located just to the west of the South Puyallup River Campground. The routes to Aurora, Andrew, and Tokaloo Rock go by the columns.
Natural Bridge
This is a seldom-visited site. It is located north of Windy Gap and very close to Tyee, Crescent, Chief Sluiskin and Squaw Sluiskin.
Grove of the Patriarchs
Really big trees! The grove is not located near any climb (Shriner Peak is the closest), but it is accessible via a very short trail, located in the southeast part of the park near the Stevens Canyon Entrance.
Box Canyon
This is an amazing canyon located approximate 7 miles east of Paradise on the Stevens Canyon Road. Bald Rock can be reached via Box Canyon.
Mirror Lakes
Mirror Lakes are just north of Indian Henrys Hunting Ground on the way to Pyramid Peak. The lakes are one of the better Kodak spots within a park filled with thousands of picturesque places.
Best Glacier Views
Take in the Emmons Glacier from the ridge leading to Mount Ruth and marvel at the Winthrop Glacier from the top of Third Burroughs. We like these two views for close-ups of the crevassed and awesome power of a glacier. Other great glacier views include those from Steamboat Prow, Meany Crest, Whitman Crest, Little Tahoma, Anvil Rock, and Cowlitz Rock.
Best Waterfalls
Waterfalls on, or near, the 100 peaks routes are Spray Falls (just off the trail to Mount Pleasant, Hessong Rock, Observation Rock, and Echo Rock) and Chenuis Falls (just off the route to Tirzah). And don’t forget a trip to Comet Falls (not on a peak route but well worth the trip; the trailhead to Comet Falls is located 2 miles east of Longmire).
Best Flower Trips
The flowers at Mount Rainier are legendary, and the best season for viewing is mid-July to mid-August. Our favorite flower trips are Norse, Pyramid, Copper, Iron, Echo Rock, Observation Rock, Fay, Pleasant, Hessong Rock, Tyee, Skyscraper, all three Burroughs, McNeeley, Brown, Tamanos, Crystal, Chinook, Shriner, Tokaloo Rock, Aurora, Andrew, Ararat, Mineral, Old Desolate, Meany Crest, Banshee, and Cowlitz Chimney (both Central and Main).
Rainier and Adams seen from atop Iron Mountain