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Spotlight on Mt. Rainier: A Guide to Unique Places, Events & Activities

Discover unique places, events and activities in Mt. Rainier National Park Region.

  • © Janelle Walker
    The Top 10 Wildflower Hikes Around Mt. Rainier
    by Karen Sykes

    Mt. Rainier's wildflower displays are often heralded as the world's best. From an up-close look at a delicate glacier lily, to expansive fields of purple lupine, experiencing Mt. Rainier's wildflowers is worthy of a bucket list to-do. These ten hikes offer lavish wildflower displays...

  • © Michael Fagin
    How to Read the Clouds Around Mt. Rainier
    by Michael Fagin

    Here's an easy way to forecast the weather. Since weather systems and associated precipitation usually move in from the south and west, look south and if it is clear, it indicates dry weather for the next twenty-four hours. If we look south and west and we see high cirrus clouds moving in...

  • © Mk Nelson
    Sunrise Visitor Center Exhibits
    by Karen Sykes

    To get a feel for the thickness of a glacier - there is a chart where you can measure your height to see how many "yous" it would take to equal the thickness of the Emmons Glacier. At 5' 7" it would take a little more than 36 "Karens" to equal the glacier's present thickness. This display will especially appeal to the kids in the group.

  • © Karen Sykes
    Dan Klennert's Ex-Nihilo Sculpture Park
    by Karen Sykes

    When you first glimpse Dan Klennert's Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park on your way to Mount Rainier National Park, you might just brake to a stop. Peering over the fence you may wonder, "What IS this place?" In Latin "Ex-Nihilo" translates to "something created from nothing."

  • © Ken Campbell
    Cross Country Skiing: the MTTA Trail System
    by Ken Campbell

    I am spending this night in the Copper Creek Hut, part of the Mount Tahoma Trails Association's collection of backcountry retreats. The word "hut" is a gentle misnomer to be sure, conjuring up stark images of substandard housing. These accommodations should in my opinion, be called a chalet...

  • © Janelle Walker
    Fire Lookouts of Mount Rainier
    by Craig Romano

    Soon after the first tower was constructed on Mount Rainier, both the park service and the forest service realized what many hikers know today-that some of the best and more reliable alpine views are not on the mountain itself, but on the surrounding lower ridges and knobs immune to near perpetual cloud cover...

  • © John Chao
    Rediscovering the Carbon River Road
    by Ken Campbell

    My goal for the day is the Carbon Glacier overlook, and the primary reason for the early start is that it's not as short a hike as it used to be. The trail from Ipsut Creek Campground to the glacier and back was once a 7-mile excursion; now that the road ends at the Park entrance...

  • © Deby Dixon
    Wildlife Around Mount Rainier Start Preparations for Coming Winter
    by Russ Mohney

    The first reason I wouldn't miss this late fall adventure is the frenzied activity of the birds, small animals and big wildlife. Each has a specific, pointed purpose in life that the winter signals into action...

  • © RMI Guides
    Climbing Mt. Rainier: Part III - D-Day
    Climbing Mt. Rainier: Part II - Training Your Body and Mind
    Climbing Mt. Rainier: Part I - A Resolution to Reach the Summit
    by Ken Campbell

    It begins with an idea: to stand on the top of the mountain. A simple idea, instantly understandable and visceral. A grand idea that grows and evolves over time, resolve strengthening as it turns into a plan and then, almost imperceptibly, it becomes inevitable...