Mount Rainier NP

[Biff Tannen 45550]

First, is it possible the search on Surly is even worse than the one on the Shag?  I could have sworn we talked about this already.  Maybe the thread didn't make the jump. 

Anyway, headed to Rainier for just a single day in two weeks.  It will be a Wednesday, so hopefully less crowded than normal, though it is the week before July 4.

 

Planning on doing a hike or two in the Carbon River area, as that seems to be the closest to Seattle driving-wise.  Should I forget that and go to Sunrise or Paradise instead?

I know there's an 8 mile gravel road driving to Mowich Lake, which gives me pause, as that may take a while and blow my timing anyway.

 

Thoughts?

[Butch Had Not 2943]

Paradise is awesome on a clear day. That's the tricky part. You just never know. You can do a nice hike to the Muir snowfield and turn around or to panorama point. Might be all the same loop melted out.  

If it's a dreary day,  do the comet falls hike.  Start at Christine falls parking area. Just ask rangers if the log bridge is in place toward the end. 

 

[miguelito 11225]

Good advice from Butch.

If it's a nice day, go to Paradise for the views and some easy hikes, or just keep going up to Muir.  If you get high enough (heh), you can turn around and see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood to the south.  Pinnacle Peak is a steep hike with nice views, starting from Reflection Lake.

I like Paradise more than Sunrise; your pictures will turn out better because the sun is behind you at Paradise.

If it's bad weather, do one of the lower, foresty hikes, like Comet Falls.

 

And on your way back to civilization, stop at the Copper Creek Inn for blackberry milkshakes or pie.  If you ask nicely, they will put a piece of blackberry pie in a blender with ice cream, and make that a milkshake.

[miguelito 11225]

[Biff Tannen 45550]

So google claims both Paradise and Sunrise are roughly 30 min longer drive from Seattle than Mowich Lake.  Worth it?  I'm guessing so.  Spray Falls and Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout were my original plans for Carbon River.

[Txlc 10]

I did Paradise and “The Grove of the Patriarchs” two years ago. Had the older part of the family with me so it was a very light outside day. Weather was wet and cloudy but doable. I am planning on going back to do the Northern Loop Trail and Natural Bridge 

[Txlc 10]

Here’s a couple of pictures from the trip


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Macanudo 12945]

What Mig wrote.   Don't skip the blackberry milkshake at Copper Creek Inn.   You'll go out the western side when you're done to get there.   Keep in mind that you'll do 20-30 MPH in the park.   There are some really pretty sections of road that can be a little white knuckle, especially if you go through Stevens Canyon.   If you do leave through the west side, that's where Copper Creek is.   You'd take WA7 back to I-5 in Tacoma.   When you get to Tacoma, you'd be right near downtown and could hit the Harmon Brewery or gown down Shuster Parkway and go to Duke's.  If you go out the north side, there's not a lot.    The Naches Tavern is pretty close to the park exit and it's ok.  You could take 410 all the way to Puyallup and go to Powerhouse Brewpub.  

If you go to the Sunrise side, get there early.  And I mean as close to sunrise (time not location) as you can.  That parking lot is a lot smaller than the Paradise side and it fills up.   The Paradise side has a lot more parking but some of it is a ways from the trail heads.   Granted, you're fixing to do about 1500-2000 feet of elevation change during your hike so what's another 1/4 mile from the car to the trail head, right?  Personally, I prefer being on trail right at sunrise.  Watching the sun come up and reflect off the Mountain is a sight unto itself. 

Paradise side has the main lodge with a snack bar/lunch grab and go plus a full dining room.   The Sunrise side has a grill.  And yes, they sell Rainier beer at the grill. 

With only one day and assuming it's clear do either of these.

Paradise side - Panorama Point.  The view can not be beaten.  You can sort of do this as a loop going up along the glacier side and down along the Golden Gate trail. 

Sunrise side - Mt. Fremont Lookout.  It's an out and back hike to an old fire service lookout.  If it's clear, you can see downtown Seattle, Vancouver Island, Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak.  The hike itself it pretty much looking at the Mountain for the first half or so.   But once you get on the spur to the lookout, you start to get glimpses off to the N/NW.   The end of the trail is amazing.   The view from Panorama Point might be better but Mt. Fremont has a special place in my heart.   It's where my ashes will be spread.

If it's cloudy, then do Comet Falls.  But definitely call the Ranger station and check on the bridge.   If it's out, you're not going to get to the falls.   The parking area is REALLY small.   Maybe 12-15 spaces.   If you don't get there early, you're out of luck.  The latest I've ever gotten there and found a spot was maybe 7:45.   If you're adventurous, you can take the switchbacks up to Van Trump Park.   You get above the Falls and can see the Mountain if the clouds break.  

Suggestion....   Hydrate and more than you think.   It might seem like you don't but even when it's 70 degrees (or cooler) you're going to need a lot of liquid.   Worst hike of my life was getting up to Van Trump after going to Comet Falls.   Right as I got back to the switchback area, my calves crapped up big time.   I had about 10 ounces of water left.    The trip down and then along the creek was miserable.   Took at least twice as long as it should have. 

Edited June 14, 2018 by Macanudo

[mdmost 42950]

What's the logistics of tacking this on to our next trip to Seattle? Wife goes to Seattle for work occasionally and we keep talking about going there on a long weekend. Would a weekend be enough time there to get most of it in?

[Butch Had Not 2943]

If you want a little longer hike and want to try your nerves, go hike up to the Tahoma creek suspension bridge. If it is rainy or windy it will scare the shit out of you. If you like that stuff.

[Macanudo 12945]

1 hour ago, mdmost said:

What's the logistics of tacking this on to our next trip to Seattle? Wife goes to Seattle for work occasionally and we keep talking about going there on a long weekend. Would a weekend be enough time there to get most of it in?

It all depends on what you want to do.   I suggest looking into a cabin.   Cooper Creek has some nice ones but usually require a two night stay.   Crystal Mountain has some rooms that you might be able to get for one night.   Even just one full day on the Mountain is worth it.   2 full days gives you plenty.   The big key is weather.   We were there last July on the Sunrise side in the morning and it was almost freezing and cloudy.  It got above 45 by noon.   The Paradise side was partly cloudy and 60-65 around 4:00.  

[Biff Tannen 45550]

Great info Mac.  Problem is sunrise is at 5am.  I don't know if getting up at 3 is gonna happen with the wife.

[Macanudo 12945]

You don't have to be there at 5.   Just don't get there at 9.

 

I've stayed here too but it might be difficult to book with such short notice.

 

http://www.altacrystalresort.com/accommodations/honeymoon-cabin

[Biff Tannen 45550]

23 hours ago, Butch Had Not said:

If you want a little longer hike and want to try your nerves, go hike up to the Tahoma creek suspension bridge. If it is rainy or windy it will scare the shit out of you. If you like that stuff.

How are the views?

[Butch Had Not 2943]

Just now, Biff Tannen said:

How are the views?

It's one of those cloudy day hikes. You spend most of the time in the forest and on the creek dodging boulders but when you get to the bridge you can see up to the mountain and several hundred feet down to the bottom on the creek. It's pretty cool experience. 

[Biff Tannen 45550]

On 6/14/2018 at 8:11 AM, miguelito said:

Good advice from Butch.

If it's a nice day, go to Paradise for the views and some easy hikes, or just keep going up to Muir.  If you get high enough (heh), you can turn around and see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood to the south.  Pinnacle Peak is a steep hike with nice views, starting from Reflection Lake.

I like Paradise more than Sunrise; your pictures will turn out better because the sun is behind you at Paradise.

If it's bad weather, do one of the lower, foresty hikes, like Comet Falls.

 

And on your way back to civilization, stop at the Copper Creek Inn for blackberry milkshakes or pie.  If you ask nicely, they will put a piece of blackberry pie in a blender with ice cream, and make that a milkshake.

Am I seeing correctly that the road from Longmire to Paradise doesn't open until 9am?  Is it possible to get to Paradise earlier than that without staying the night before?

[Litig8r 414]

Having tried to climb Rainier twice without success, be sure you have your Wheaties before heading up to Muir and know how to get up and more importantly how to get down.  The real danger on Rainier is above Muir but if you get off the slog up to Muir and make a wrong turn it can be trouble.  It isn't like you can see the trail all the way from Paradise to Muir.  I guess I really didn't look around much I just followed the boots in front of me until we got close.  The first time I tried the climb, we had snow pack from the bottom all the way.  The second time the snow started about after an hour climb.  The weather changes real quickly so be prepared.  Have fun

[Macanudo 12945]

14 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

Am I seeing correctly that the road from Longmire to Paradise doesn't open until 9am?  Is it possible to get to Paradise earlier than that without staying the night before?

That's normally just during winter.  check the Ranger phone line (360.569.2211)for road conditions.   I've never been up there in June or july and had the road closed .

N ow....  Sunrise, that's a different story. 

[Butch Had Not 2943]

3 hours ago, Litig8r said:

Having tried to climb Rainier twice without success, be sure you have your Wheaties before heading up to Muir and know how to get up and more importantly how to get down.  The real danger on Rainier is above Muir but if you get off the slog up to Muir and make a wrong turn it can be trouble.  It isn't like you can see the trail all the way from Paradise to Muir.  I guess I really didn't look around much I just followed the boots in front of me until we got close.  The first time I tried the climb, we had snow pack from the bottom all the way.  The second time the snow started about after an hour climb.  The weather changes real quickly so be prepared.  Have fun

We tried the disappointment clever route,  had to stop right at the ingraham glacier ( i think that's the one) due to severe avalanche conditions. 

https://www.mountainguides.com/wordpress/2010/06/08/img-news/avalanche-on-mt-rainier-june-5th-2010/

 

I was here three days later. 

[Litig8r 414]

I tried the clever both times.  First time I got spooked stumbling around at the clever.  Second time we had 70 mph winds at the clever.    First time was RMI, second time IMG.  I liked IMG and their plan much better.  One thing I can vouch for is the chicks who guide are some the fittest women on the planet.  Mt. Rainier is a real moutain.  Wish I had gotten into climbing earlier.  Guess that bastard will whip me

[Butch Had Not 2943]

We went with RMI. Since I was coming from Arizona and had planned the trip out for months,  canceling wasn't an option and rmi wasn't refunding but they would allow a fee free reschedule if you didn't summit.  That's great for someone living in Bellevue but not realistic for me. 

I was in great shape though and would have been fine as I had climbed some decent mountains getting ready for it.  It was a shame.  Now I'm a middle aged father who is 35 lbs heavier. 

[Biff Tannen 45550]

On 6/14/2018 at 7:11 AM, miguelito said:

Good advice from Butch.

If it's a nice day, go to Paradise for the views and some easy hikes, or just keep going up to Muir.  If you get high enough (heh), you can turn around and see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood to the south.  Pinnacle Peak is a steep hike with nice views, starting from Reflection Lake.

I like Paradise more than Sunrise; your pictures will turn out better because the sun is behind you at Paradise.

If it's bad weather, do one of the lower, foresty hikes, like Comet Falls.

 

And on your way back to civilization, stop at the Copper Creek Inn for blackberry milkshakes or pie.  If you ask nicely, they will put a piece of blackberry pie in a blender with ice cream, and make that a milkshake.

Going early tomorrow morning.  Forecast says mostly sunny, high of 52.  Hoping for smaller crowds since it is Wednesday.  Hoping to do Skyline Trail in the morning and then Reflection Lake after lunch.  Definitely hitting Copper Creek Inn on the way out.

[miguelito 11225]

Good luck, we're all counting on you.

Actually let us know how it is.  I'll be there next week if the weather is ok. We'll probably just walk around Paradise and maybe some of the Comet Falls trail.

[Butch Had Not 2943]

On 6/26/2018 at 12:24 PM, Biff Tannen said:

Going early tomorrow morning.  Forecast says mostly sunny, high of 52.  Hoping for smaller crowds since it is Wednesday.  Hoping to do Skyline Trail in the morning and then Reflection Lake after lunch.  Definitely hitting Copper Creek Inn on the way out.

How was the trip?

[Biff Tannen 45550]

How was the trip?

Still out here. Tapa won't let me upload photos. Luckily the weather cooperated and we got clear views at Paradise. Still pretty snowy.

Hiked up to Panaorama Point through the snow. Took quite a while, but well worth it.

Copper Creek Inn was a great way to end the day too.

I'm back home on Tuesday so I'll try and post pics then.

[miguelito 11225]

Awesome.  Hopefully you were able to see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood from Panorama Point. 

How bad was the snow?  I'll probably be at Paradise on Thursday.

 

[Biff Tannen 45550]

Awesome.  Hopefully you were able to see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood from Panorama Point. 
How bad was the snow?  I'll probably be at Paradise on Thursday.
 

Nothing too bad. Made it fine without microspikes. Just a couple of slips. It's probably going to be way more melted out by the time you get there.

[Biff Tannen 45550]

Here we go.  Sorry if they are huge.

Hikers coming down from the summit

Narada Falls

[miguelito 11225]

Damn, just saw your pics, Biff.  Nice job! 

I have pics from 7/5/18.  They are the same as yours, but not as good. 

With mother-in-law, we just walked the Alta Vista trail a little ways in, over to Myrtle Falls.  Still lots of snow on the trails, but easy to walk over with decent shoes. 

Had a late lunch at Copper Creek, and a blackberry pie milkshake.   I didn't have Elysian, though; I went with Alaskan Amber.

[Butch Had Not 2943]

All this quarantine life with the wife and kid around 24/7 has got me itching for a solo Wonderland Trail trip. Been watching videos on YouTube of the trail and it looks like an amazing solitary experience. 

Has anyone done partial or full trail?

[NWBuck 8549]

19 hours ago, Butch Had Not said:

All this quarantine life with the wife and kid around 24/7 has got me itching for a solo Wonderland Trail trip. Been watching videos on YouTube of the trail and it looks like an amazing solitary experience. 

Has anyone done partial or full trail?

Just a small part as an "out and back" from Mowich lake... Totally worth going (particularly as a "quarantine buster")

[Biff Tannen 45550]

19 hours ago, Butch Had Not said:

All this quarantine life with the wife and kid around 24/7 has got me itching for a solo Wonderland Trail trip. Been watching videos on YouTube of the trail and it looks like an amazing solitary experience. 

Has anyone done partial or full trail?

My buddy runs this site.  Should be helpful.

https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/wonderland-trail-backpacking-quick-guide

[Butch Had Not 2943]

6 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

My buddy runs this site.  Should be helpful.

https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/wonderland-trail-backpacking-quick-guide

That was a nice site. Lot of info. Has he done all those trips?

[Biff Tannen 45550]

8 hours ago, Butch Had Not said:

That was a nice site. Lot of info. Has he done all those trips?

I believe he has.  Lately he's had a few guest bloggers, but the older ones are all him.

[Butch Had Not 2943]

2 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

I believe he has.  Lately he's had a few guest bloggers, but the older ones are all him.

I need to rethink my life and this stupid desk job. People like your friend,  I envy and wish I could have possibly gone on a different path.  

[Biff Tannen 45550]

3 minutes ago, Butch Had Not said:

I need to rethink my life and this stupid desk job. People like your friend,  I envy and wish I could have possibly gone on a different path.  

It's never too late.  I was slated to hike the PCT this spring before the virus (and a couple of other life issues) made me bail.  It's still on my list, in sections, if not all in one season.  Even if you just want to get out for a week or two to the wilderness, or wherever, it's just about taking the plunge.  

[UTexasFight 9401]

Heading to Seattle the 2nd week in august and planning to do Olympic and Rainier with the family (10 and 8 yo) for 4.5 days before ending up on Whidbey Island at the end of day 5. 

How is this for an itinerary:

day 1: arrive; drive to port Angeles. 
day 2: hurricane ridge, Ruby Beach. Stay around Forks

day 3:  Hoh rainforest (any other must sees in Olympic?); drive to/stay around Ashford

day 4: paradise or some of the other options upthread if weather isn’t clear; stay in packwood

day 5: Sunrise in the morning; head to Whidbey Island mid-afternoon 

Edited July 16, 2023 by UTexasFight

[Firemans4Horn 17998]

Make sure to load up at Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles. Pretty magical place. Also, if they have a minor league game going on that night try to catch the game. Really cool town. 
 

[Macanudo 12945]

Thats a lot of driving.

Check and see of there is any availability at the Lake Crescent Lodge, Kalaloch or Lake Quinaualt Lodge.  Those are all National Park properties.   At thos late juncture they are probably full but who knows. 

As for Forks, good luck.  Hopefully their not still hyping Twilight and all things vampire.

[Macanudo 12945]

And are you tied into this route?  Why not reverse it and go to  Rainier first then swing up to the peninsula?   Then all you have to do is catch the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry to Whitby instead of driving from Rainier.   Anything you can do to stay off I-5.

[NWBuck 8549]

13 minutes ago, Macanudo said:

And are you tied into this route?  Why not reverse it and go to  Rainier first then swing up to the peninsula?   Then all you have to do is catch the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry to Whitby instead of driving from Rainier.   Anything you can do to stay off I-5.

This. Summer traffic at the national parks can be especially hellish 

[Macanudo 12945]

Summer traffic in the parks is hellish.   Traffic in the Puget Sound is otherwordly.   Road wise, there are really only 2-3 ways to get N/S.   It's not solely unique in that situation but it has it's own messes.

[Biff Tannen 45550]

11 hours ago, UTexasFight said:

Heading to Seattle the 2nd week in august and planning to do Olympic and Rainier with the family (10 and 8 yo) for 4.5 days before ending up on Whidbey Island at the end of day 5. 

How is this for an itinerary:

day 1: arrive; drive to port Angeles. 
day 2: hurricane ridge, Ruby Beach. Stay around Forks

day 3:  Hoh rainforest (any other must sees in Olympic?); drive to/stay around Ashford

day 4: paradise or some of the other options upthread if weather isn’t clear; stay in packwood

day 5: Sunrise in the morning; head to Whidbey Island mid-afternoon 

I put this in another thread, but get the GuideAlong app and buy the Olympic National Park guide. It is an audio tour that follows you on gps and tells you all of the history and different sites to see around the parks. I don’t think there’s one for Rainier yet, but this is the best road trip companion I’ve ever seen (heard). 
 

It sounds like I work for them or something, but I don’t. I just think it’s that awesome. I’ve done the Icefields Parkway in Canada with this and also Yellowstone/Tetons. They have added a ton of new tours this year and I’m trying to get the word out so they add even more. It transforms the experience. 
 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guidealong-gps-audio-tours/id1460032075

 

[Butch Had Not 2943]

On 6/19/2018 at 12:02 PM, Butch Had Not said:

We tried the disappointment clever route,  had to stop right at the ingraham glacier ( i think that's the one) due to severe avalanche conditions. 

https://www.mountainguides.com/wordpress/2010/06/08/img-news/avalanche-on-mt-rainier-june-5th-2010/

 

I was here three days later. 

Got this from a friend a few weeks back....

[UTexasFight 9401]

1 hour ago, Biff Tannen said:

I put this in another thread, but get the GuideAlong app and buy the Olympic National Park guide. It is an audio tour that follows you on gps and tells you all of the history and different sites to see around the parks. I don’t think there’s one for Rainier yet, but this is the best road trip companion I’ve ever seen (heard). 
 

It sounds like I work for them or something, but I don’t. I just think it’s that awesome. I’ve done the Icefields Parkway in Canada with this and also Yellowstone/Tetons. They have added a ton of new tours this year and I’m trying to get the word out so they add even more. It transforms the experience. 
 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guidealong-gps-audio-tours/id1460032075

 

For sure

Very familiar with this. It’s about the first thing we look for when we pick a trip to a NP we haven’t visited before 

[UTexasFight 9401]

11 hours ago, Macanudo said:

And are you tied into this route?  Why not reverse it and go to  Rainier first then swing up to the peninsula?   Then all you have to do is catch the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry to Whitby instead of driving from Rainier.   Anything you can do to stay off I-5.

Great point. And part of why I came here.

will look at doing that.

a lot of this is first pass  at throwing something against the wall. (And a lot will depend on where we can find places to stay).

mostly just trying to get a sense if that is way too much to try and do in 4.5 days, and/or if there is anything not on that list that’s a must see/do in Olympic/Rainier (besides the blackberry milkshake)

normally plan a lot farther in advance but have been terrible procrastinating for this trip.

 

 

[otisdog 365]

What's your interest in Whidbey?

[UTexasFight 9401]

45 minutes ago, otisdog said:

What's your interest in Whidbey?

Friends we’re visiting have a place there. 

[Macanudo 12945]

22 hours ago, UTexasFight said:

Great point. And part of why I came here.

will look at doing that.

a lot of this is first pass  at throwing something against the wall. (And a lot will depend on where we can find places to stay).

mostly just trying to get a sense if that is way too much to try and do in 4.5 days, and/or if there is anything not on that list that’s a must see/do in Olympic/Rainier (besides the blackberry milkshake)

normally plan a lot farther in advance but have been terrible procrastinating for this trip.

 

 

All of the things you want to do are worth a visit but there will be almost as much time sitting in the car as doing anything.   

• The drive from SEATAC to Port Angeles is 2.5 hours.   
• The drive from Hoh to Ashford is 4.5 hours.   
• The drive from Sunrise to Whitby is 3.5 hours.

Like I said up top, you're probably not going to get a room at the NP properties in Olympic but call the Lake Quinault Lodge (888.896.)   Check and see if the Beverly Suite is available.   It doesn't show on the normal reservation page and you have to call for reservation.   The Beverly is in the Boat House (the original hotel structure) and is a 2 bedroom suite.    Because it can't be reserved "normally" it is sometimes open even during peak season.

Lake Quinault is only an hour south of Forks and well worth the stay.  

https://www.olympicnationalparks.com/lodging/lake-quinault-lodge/

 

 

The Beverly Suite is our only traditional suite and fills the entire top floor of the two-story Boathouse, which was the original hotel structure on the property. In this spacious two-bedroom treetop escape, you will enjoy 360-degree panoramic view from the forest to the lake.

 

 

 

[shnsajax 3590]

On 7/15/2023 at 9:31 PM, UTexasFight said:

Heading to Seattle the 2nd week in august and planning to do Olympic and Rainier with the family (10 and 8 yo) for 4.5 days before ending up on Whidbey Island at the end of day 5. 

How is this for an itinerary:

day 1: arrive; drive to port Angeles. 
day 2: hurricane ridge, Ruby Beach. Stay around Forks

day 3:  Hoh rainforest (any other must sees in Olympic?); drive to/stay around Ashford

day 4: paradise or some of the other options upthread if weather isn’t clear; stay in packwood

day 5: Sunrise in the morning; head to Whidbey Island mid-afternoon 

Finnriver Cider is a great place to stop on the way to Port Angeles as long as its not 100 degrees outside (Its rare, but happened to me). Poulsbo is my other favorite city just south of there and on the way if you take the Bainbridge Ferry across. Cool ass Nordic Viking tourist town and one of my current retirement spots.