In April of 2010, we had flown to Seattle for a family vacation. We drove to Mount Rainier that week, but didn't realize it was still winter in the park. We only got about ten miles into the park to The National Park Inn. The road beyond was closed due to a tree coming down in the snow. In fact, the power went out while we were there.
Here is the view of the mountain we had on that trip. We really didn't see it due to the clouds and fog.
Here is the same location yesterday. Quite a difference. The mountain was actually in the clouds quite a bit yesterday as well. It is 14,410 feet tall, the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range, the most glaciated peak in the continental US, and creates its own weather. Luckily, the clouds broke up a few times to get a decent view.
We were able to drive up to the Paradise Visitor Center. It's about a 45 minute drive from the park entrance to get there. We watched the informative movie, and then took a hike up to Myrtle Falls behind the center.
At that point, the mountain was mostly in the clouds, but we were able to see some of it and some of the glaciers.
The waterfall was beautiful.
Here's a view from the trail in the opposite direction of Mount Rainier. There are several mountains on that side of the park that are also part of the Cascade Range. Beauty everywhere we looked.
What an amazing location for a visitor center.
The Avalanche Lilies were blooming all over the meadows. Other wildflowers bloom somewhat later in the summer. The lilies are the first to pop out through the snow.
Here's a picture from inside the visitor center of what it looks like when the flowers are in full bloom, and the mountain is completely visible.
On the drive back down, we stopped at Narada Falls. There is a trail that goes down about 400 feet to an overlook. Well worth the climb to see this. Notice the rainbow at the bottom. Beautiful!!!
We stopped at the Longmire Museum next to The National Park Inn. This area was developed in the early 1900s for visitors to come and enjoy the hot springs and to soak in the sulfur pools. Mount Rainier National Park was the fifth National Park developed in 1899. Roads were established in 1907, and this early gas station was built. The pumps are original.
I'm glad we took the time for a return visit to this amazing National park. While we were at Denali in Alaska, we purchased the National Park Senior Pass for $80. The price went up from $10 last year, just a few months before Kevin was eligible. Still a good deal, though as the entry yesterday for the day would have been $30 without the pass.
Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!
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