The Seattle Traveler

Mount Rainier National Park

by Mary Jo on March 2nd, 2007

If you’ve spent any time in the greater Seattle area, or perhaps just flown into Sea-Tac International Airport, you’ve had the opportunity to see majestic Mount Rainier.  Whether it’s a clear day, and the mountain is visible for hundreds of miles, or a cloudy day, with just the very top of its 14,410 feet peeking out above the clouds, it’s a welcome and familiar sight. 

Surrounding the mountain is Mount Rainier National Park, located in southeast Pierce County, one of the many national parks within a comfortable driving distance of Seattle.

Mount Rainier National Park was established on March 2nd, 1999, as only the fifth national park in the United States.  It contains approximately 368 miles, including all of Mount Rainier.  Nearly all of the park is preserved wilderness, and as the highest point in the Cascade Mountain Range, it is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, sub alpine wildflower meadows, old growth forests, and more than 25 glaciers. 

The Wonderland Trail circles Mount Rainier, and is covered by several glaciers and snowfields.  Carbon Glacier is the largest glacier by volume, and Emmons Glacier (in photo above) is the largest by area, in the continental Unites States.  Mount Rainier is an active volcano, encased in over 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice.

Nearly a million and a half people visit Mount Rainier National Park every year, and the mountain is a popular peak for mountain climbing, with over 10,000 attempted ascents each year.  Only half of the attempts actually make it to the summit.  Jim and Lou Whittaker, who, in 1959 made the roundtrip from Paradise to the summit in 7 hours and 20 minutes, hold the current speed climbing record.

Hours:  Although the Park is typically open year round, it is currently closed as a result of flooding in November 2006.  Check for current conditions and availability here.

Entrance Fee:  $15 per vehicle, and includes all occupants.  $5 for each person arriving by motorcycle, bicycle, horseback, or on foot.  The entrance fee is valid for a 7-day permit.  An annual park pass is $30, and also includes entrance fees to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Whitman Mission National Historic Site.

Camping:  $10-15 per night camping fee.  Reservations recommended.
Backcountry permits and climbing permits are required.

Want to take a look at current conditions at the Park?  Check out the Live Mountain Cam.

Photo credit:  flickr

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POSTED IN: Great Walks, Scenic & Short Trips, Sports & Recreation