JACKSON VISITOR CENTER TO BE OPEN ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY, JANUARY 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Rahier, 360-569-2211, x2301

Mount Rainier Acting Superintendent Randy King announces that the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center will be open during the upcoming 3-day holiday weekend (January 16, 17, 18). The visitor center offers information, exhibits, movies, book sales, food service and gifts for park visitors. Visitor center hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ranger-led snowshoe walks will be conducted each day at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Walks last for about 2 hours, traverse about 1.2 miles and are limited to 25 people (eight years or older) on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up at the visitor center information desk one hour before each walk. Snowshoes are provided, but a donation of $4 (per pair) is suggested. Visitors should wear layers of warm clothes, hats, mittens, suitable boots, sunglasses and sunscreen.

The snow play area, located immediately north of the upper parking lot at Paradise, now has two tubing runs in place. This is the only area in the park where sliding and sledding are permitted. Use only inner tubes, plastic sleds, saucers, or other soft sledding devices. An air compressor is available during snow play hours at the upper parking lot restroom.

Paradise currently has 73 inches of snow on the ground which is about 67% of the average normal amount. Last year during this same time period, Paradise had 111 inches of snow on the ground.

Visitors are reminded that all vehicles should carry tire chains when in the mountains. Road conditions can deteriorate rapidly and chains may be required at any time. Changing weather conditions may require that roads be closed for safety reasons. Check ahead by calling the number below when coming to the park. Drive cautiously, slow down, and be prepared for snow removal equipment working.

Road access into the park at this time of year is only through the Nisqually Entrance (via State Route 706).

Most businesses in the surrounding communities will also be open offering lodging, food, gifts and other amenities. The National Park Inn at Longmire is open year round for overnight accommodations, dining (breakfast/lunch/dinner), gifts, ski and snowshoe rentals and tire chain purchases.

Webcams are available for the public to view current weather conditions at Paradise. Go to www.nps.mora/ and choose one of the sites listed under the Paradise webcam heading.

For recorded current road conditions, call 360-569-2211, press 1, then 2.

-NPS-