Next stop – Mount Rainier NP. And we are hoping beyond hope that the smoke is not part of the visit to this fabulous NP – one of our favorites!!
First activity is to get settled into a ‘camping’ spot at Mount Haven RV Park – a great little family owned park just outside the west entrance to the park. Magic is quite at home here in a nice, large, wooded spot (with FULL hookups!) – –
As our coachmakers tag line says…”Roughing It Smoothly”;-)
Early the next morning it is off to the Park.
Mount Rainier is the center of the nation’s fifth national park (established March 2, 1989). At 14,410′, the mountain is the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range and the most glaciated peak in the continental US. At nearly 3 miles in height it can dominate the skyline for 100 miles before you reach the park named after it. Except this week when it was shrouded in smoke – –
Leaving the Paradise Visitors Center for a hike of the Moraine Trail to view a smokey Mt. Rainier.
Due to the smoke laden air, we opted for a little less strenuous hike than our intended hike for the day – the Skyline Trail in Paradise. The Park Rangers here are wonderful – full of suggestions to send you in directions to avoid the masses and yet see the true gems of the park. The Moraine Trail was the suggestion of the day for the Paradise area (a breathtaking portion of the park) – and it did not disappoint. An excellent 3-mile trail that took us to fantastic views of the Nisqually Glacier (about 4 miles long flowing downhill 6-12 inches every summer day), the origination of the Nisqually River at the base of the glacier, numerous waterfalls across the valley AND provided the opportunity to hear the creaks and groans of the glacier as it inches down the mountain.
Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier.
We kept hoping that the smoke would clear and there would be sights of Mount Rainier like two years ago – –
Pretty amazing when its crystal clear!!
Alas – it is still a fab park with or without the smoke and we just had to soldier on. So the next day it was another Ranger Station for more hiking suggestions in the Longmire area of the park. (James Longmire discovered mineral springs here in 1883 and built Mount Rainier’s first hotel. His ads for miraculous water cures helped generate early tourism and a constituency for the creation of the park.) Today it would be the Rampart Ridge Trail – approximately a 5 mile loop with a little more than 1300′ elevation gain. This was to provide excellent views of the Tatoosh Range, Longmire and, of course, Mount Rainier. See anything thru the trees??
Great hike – maybe the views will get better?!?!?
The view from the Longmire Overlook. The little village of Longmire is down there somewhere AND the Tatoosh Range is across the valley.
The views may have been eliminated by the smoke from the fires but the hike was still great exercise – and the best part is it was through a wonderful grove of trees more than a thousand years old. A happy day;-)
OK – down to the last day. It was now or never for the Skyline Trail – a 5.5 mile loop with a 1700′ elevation gain. The good news is the smoke had been eliminated by a little rain – the bad news is the clouds that brought the rain were still there and it was cold and WINDY!! Oh well – here we go – off thru Paradise Park (named by Martha Longmire in 1885 who exclaimed upon first seeing the meadow – “It looks just like Paradise!”) to Panorama Point – –
As we departed, Paradise Park Meadow looked like this – beautiful.
A few minutes later the clouds moved in – and this was the view.
There was a lot of glacial moraine, both wet and dry, on this ascent.
The higher we went the lower the visibility.
Finally! After a very hairy climb across glaciers, moraine, creeks – AND almost blown off the mountain by the wind – we made it to Panorama Point. Here is what the view was to be – –
On a clear day.
Today! Not quite what was hoped for.
But wait! Perhaps the clouds are clearing a bit – the sun might shine for a second – and we might get a few views?!?!?
Nisqually Glacier (our first hike) from a different view.
There were even views of Paradise Park Meadow and our original starting point across the valley – –
The switchbacks at the start of the trail can be seen on the right hand portion of this shot.
The clouds lifted as we approached Paradise Inn AND lunch. THERE is that Tatoosh Range!
AND a glimpse of the lower slopes of Mt. Rainier.
For thousands of years, Mount Rainier has been an important place for Pacific Northwest Indian people. Nearly two million people from around the world now visit Mount Rainier NP each year. We are delighted to be 2 of those people and it remains one of our favorite NP’s.
While in the area, we took the opportunity to visit our old Kierland Heritage neighbors who now reside in Gig Harbor – Marie & Bill. It was a wonderful lunch and visit to see their new home and to celebrate their 83rd birthdays!!
Happy Birthday!
Smoke can not put a damper on our activities. It was a wonderful four days in Mount Rainier NP and we enjoyed every minute of it;-)
Thankful for our NP’s – E & G
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 