Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Rainier National Park Map - National Park Service drawing

For more detailed maps of the Park click here. The Park web site has extensive information about the Park and its facilities ... worth a visit.


Monday, August 12, 1996

Did my laundry and got a lube, oil and filter done in Yakima then drove on Highway 410 to Mt. Rainier National Park. Highway 410 is a very pretty highway.

Entered the park at the Chinook Pass Entrance and got a campsite at White River campground in the Park and then drove to Sunrise Visitor Center to check it out.

Tuesday, August 13, 1996

I got up early and drove back to Sunrise Visitor Center before the crowds and while the light was good on that side of Mt. Rainier.

Took a bunch of pictures at the Emmons Glacier viewpoint (largest glacier in continental US).

Scene near Chinook Pass Entrance, Pacific Crest Trail trailhead, Mt. Rainier National Park
Scene near Chinook Pass Entrance, Pacific Crest Trail trailhead, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from just inside Chinook Pass Entrance, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from near Sunrise turnoff, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Rainier from near Sunrise turnoff, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams from Sunrise Point, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier early morning from near Sunrise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier early morning from near Sunrise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons & Winthrop glaciers from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons & Winthrop glaciers from Emmons Viewpoint
at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier, Emmons & Winthrop glaciers from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons & Winthrop glaciers from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier, top of Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, top of Winthrop Glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop glacier from Emmons Viewpoint at Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Then did four mile round trip hike to 7008 foot Dege Peak. My fifth peak of the trip (all with trails <grin>).

Found a gal sleeping on top. Great view and took a bunch more pictures.

Mt. Rainier & Sunrise Visitor Center from Sourdought Ridge Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Sunrise Visitor Center from Sourdought Ridge Trail,
Mt. Rainier National Park
South from Sourdough Ridge Trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
South from Sourdough Ridge Trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sourdough Ridge from Dege Peak 7000 near Sunrise Visitor Center', Mt. Rainier National Park
Sourdough Ridge from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Sourdough Ridge & Panorama Northwest to Northeast from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sourdough Ridge & Panorama Northwest to Northeast from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunrise Visitor Center from Dege Peak 7000', Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunrise Visitor Center from Dege Peak 7000', Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier, Emmons glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Emmons glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Emmons glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Winthrop glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Winthrop glacier from Dege Peak 7000' near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Northeast from trail below Dege Peak, near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Northeast from trail below Dege Peak, near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Northeast from trail below Dege Peak, near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Northeast from trail below Dege Peak, near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

After lunch some clouds had formed on Mt. Rainier so I went to the Emmons Glacier viewpoint to take a picture, then started walking down another trail intending to go only a short distance.

Ended up doing a five mile hike over Burroughs Mountain.

Didn't have any of the ten essentials with me but fortunately had just finished lunch and tanked up on liquids. Neat hike despite the steep parts of the trail. Great views of the mountain. Lots of people on the trail. A few snowy spots.

Mt. Rainier and Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers near Emmons viewpoint, Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier and flowers from trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers from trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers along trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers along trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

View from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
View from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers on Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers on Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
View Northwest from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
View Northwest from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
View Northeast from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
View Northeast from Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Sunrise water supply lake along Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunrise water supply lake along Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunrise water supply lake along Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunrise water supply lake along Burroughs Mountain trail near Sunrise Visitor Center,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Back to White River Campground for the night.

Wednesday, August 14, 1996

I headed for Paradise Visitor Center, Mount Rainier National Park's busiest and most dramatic visitor center, the aptly named Paradise is rightfully the parks classic showcase. It was back in the late 1800s when park pioneer James Longmires daughter-in-law, Martha, proclaimed upon reaching this mile high flower-studded valley, "Oh, what a paradise!" And those same words have been uttered since by millions of others after they visited this spectacular subalpine vale.

Nestled on the south slopes of the glacier-shrouded volcano at an elevation of 5,400-feet among wildflower meadows punctuated with glistening snowfields and groves of gnarled firs and hemlocks; there are few locations within the entire national park system this stunning.

Paradise Trail Map, Mt. Rainier National Park

Clouds sort of obscured the peak by the time I got to Paradise so just checked out the exhibits, etc. then drove down to get a campsite at the Cougar Rock Campground.

After getting the campsite, drove down to Longmire and looked at the historical buildings, etc. Not too exciting. The clouds cleared so I drove back up to Paradise and took a bunch more pictures.

Stopped at some view points and at Narada Falls. 168' tall, 3' taller than Niagara Falls according to the sign.

Mt. Rainier from road to Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from road to Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Box Canyon Nature Trail near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from Box Canyon Nature Trail near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Southeast side of Mt. Rainier from road to Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Southeast side of Mt. Rainier from road to Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from highway near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from highway near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier from highway near Louise Lake near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier from highway near Louise Lake near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunbeam Creek near Louise Lake near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Sunbeam Creek near Louise Lake near Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Narada Falls 168', Mt. Rainier National Park
Narada Falls 168', Mt. Rainier National Park
Narada Falls 168' with rainbow, Mt. Rainier National Park
Narada Falls 168' with rainbow, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park

Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park

Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise road, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually Glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually Glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Nisqually glacier from Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range, Pinnacle Peak south of Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range, Pinnacle Peak south of Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range, Pinnacle Peak south of Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range, Pinnacle Peak south of Paradise Visitor Center, Mt. Rainier National Park

Thursday, August 15, 1996

Drove down to Ashford to get gasoline and supplies, then back to Paradise. Got delayed twice by long road construction stop, arrived Paradise after noon and set out on the Skyline Trail about 1 p.m.

Trail sign at start of Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Trail sign at start of Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Trail sign admonishes:

DO NOT: TREAD, MOSEY, HOP, TRAMPLE, STEP, PLOD, TIPTOE, TROT, TRAIPSE, MEANDER, CREEP, PRANCE, AMBLE, JOG, TRUDGE, MARCH, STOMP, TODDLE, JUMP, STUMBLE, TROD, SPRINT, OR WALK ON PLANTS.

Steep climb on paved trail at the start but the close-up views of the mountain and glacier were worth it. Lots of people making the hike.

At one point they provide an alternate route called the High Skyline Trail to bypass a snow field that lasts late into the summer.

This was the case and I'm glad because the High Skyline Trail offered some great views I would have otherwise missed. (might have taken it anyway).

There were four groups of students from the Guide Service going through their training on the snow slopes that blocked the lower trail. Just like ice axe practice for the San Diego Sierra Club Basic Mountaineering Course. Brought back old memories.

There were several short patches of snow on the trail but no problems. Most of it is so well constructed for tourists that it's an easy hike. About 6 miles total for the loop.

Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Flower on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flower on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flower on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flower on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Adams over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mount St. Helens over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mount St. Helens over Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Glacier View on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Glacier View on Skyline Trail, Paradise,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Glacier View on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from Glacier View on Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams from  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers, Nisqually Canyon from  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers, Nisqually Canyon from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Adams, Goat Rocks from  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Adams, Goat Rocks from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Toward Camp Muir, Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from high  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Toward Camp Muir, Mt. Rainier & Nisqually glacier from high Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice near high  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice near high Skyline Trail, Paradise,
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice near high  Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice near high Skyline Trail, Paradise,
Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier, Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice, stream near Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice, stream near Skyline Trail,
Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice, stream near Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier, Mt. Rainier Guide Service student ice axe practice, stream near Skyline Trail,
Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier behind flower garden along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier behind flower garden along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier behind flower garden along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier behind flower garden along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier behind flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier behind flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier and flowers along Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier cloud cap from highway 410 leaving Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier cloud cap from highway 410 leaving Mt. Rainier National Park

Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park
Tatoosh Range from Skyline Trail, Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park

Got an ice cream cone at the lodge snack bar and drove to White River campground for the night. As late as I was I got the same campsite I'd had earlier in the week. It doesn't have a good place for a tent so most people skip it, but it's great for my white tank.