Spectacular Skyline Trail Loop at Mt Rainier
The Skyline Trail loop absolutely has it all and is a truly gorgeous hike from Paradise in Mt Rainier National Park. Wildflowers? Yes. Marmots? Yes. Epic Mountain views? Yes. Glacier views? Yes. Fall Color? Yes. This trail is extremely popular and parking can be impossible on summer weekends (see...
Crystal Mountain Gondola: Epic Mt Rainier Views
Looking for something different to do at Mt Rainier? Want epic mountain views while eating your lunch outside? Looking to be swept to a mountaintop without hiking? What to hike to a destination others rode a gondola too? If any of these sound like you then you’ll love a...
Spray Park Hike in Mt Rainier National Park
Wildflowers? Mountain views? A dazzling waterfall? YES. The hike to Spray Park in Mt Rainier National Park has it all. It is a challenging 8 mile hike with 1700 feet of elevation gain. Add that to the long drive on a gravel road to get to the trailhead and...
12 Best Day Trips from Seattle
One of the many wonderful things about living in Seattle or visiting Seattle is that there are so many things to do outside the city! Seattle is surrounded by a vast diversity of landscapes within a few hours, including islands, forests, mountains, orchards, farmland and desert canyons. In this...
Mother Mountain Loop Backpacking in Mt Rainier
Looking for a less-hassle or shorter alternative to the Wonderland Trail? Want to experience all Mt Rainier has to offer – epic mountain views, spectacular wildflowers, lakes, forest and the occasional marmot or black bear? Want to do a backpacking trip in a few days instead of weeks? Not...
Tolmie Peak Lookout Hike: Big Views of Mt Rainier
Imagine the best views around of Mt Rainier, two alpine lakes and incredible wildflowers and you’ve got the Tolmie Peak Lookout hike. At close to 8 miles round trip and 1100 feet of elevation gain, it’s a moderate day hike. A long gravel road and being located on the...
Naches Peak Loop Hike: Wildflowers and fall colors
The Naches Peak Loop hike is one of my favorite hikes in Mt Rainier National Park and even in all of Washington State! I’ve written about it before, including in my post about Mt Rainier wildflower hikes and my post for a day trip to Mt Rainier. This hike...
Mt Fremont Hike: Big Views of Mt Rainier
Looking for a big view of Mt Rainier with views from the whole trail? The Mt Fremont hike is a fantastic choice when Sunrise is open (late June through September)! This hike has views from every step and at 6 miles round trip and 800 feet of elevation gain,...
Lower Eastside Trail Loop Hike in Mt Rainier
When the roads on the East side of Mt Rainier National Park open (usually in late May) until they close in the first heavy snows of fall (sometime in November), this Lower eastside trail loop hike in Mt Rainier is the perfect way to get away from crowds, and...
April in Mt Rainier National Park
National Park Week starts on Saturday, April 20th with free admission to parks that day! National Park Week is an awesome event to highlight and celebrate our public lands, although it comes at an awkward time to visit Mt Rainier National Park. That said, you can still have an...