We planned a three-day trip to Mount Rainier National Park after a business trip to Seattle. I was especially excited because, the last time we visited Seattle, I had seen the gorgeous view of Mount Rainier in the distance from my hotel room. Ever since then, I had wanted to return and hike the Skyline Trail to get closer to this iconic peak.
We entered the park through the Paradise entrance, stopping at every viewpoint and visiting the waterfalls along the way. By the end of the day, we reached Paradise Inn, but Mount Rainier remained hidden behind heavy cloud cover.
On the second day, a park ranger told us that the weather around Mount Rainier can change very quickly. If we were lucky, we might get a glimpse of the peak. He suggested two hikes with beautiful views of Bench Lake and Snow Lake. We enjoyed the hikes, but Mount Rainier was nowhere to be seen. We were beginning to prepare ourselves for the possibility of going home without ever seeing the mountain.
On our third and final day, the morning started out cloudy, but we decided to hike the Skyline Trail anyway. Even if Mount Rainier remained hidden, we knew the trail itself would be worth the effort.
When we reached Paradise Inn, the clouds began to break. As we started the hike, the sun slowly emerged, and, to our delight, the clouds began drifting away. About a mile into the hike, the entire mountain suddenly came into view—massive, majestic, and right there in front of us.
By the time we reached the highest point of the hike, we were rewarded with views not only of Mount Rainier but also of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. After five hours on the trail, we returned to Paradise under bright, sunny skies, with Mount Rainier standing proudly in full view.
Before heading home, we sat on the benches outside Paradise Inn, taking in the breathtaking view. After waiting three days for our first glimpse of Mount Rainier, it felt like the mountain had saved its grandest view just for us.
Sincerely,
Mount Rainier National Park
Majestic Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and an active volcano with more glaciers than any other mountain in the United States. Just an hour's drive from Seattle, the park's wild landscape feels much further from civilization. The forests, parkland, wetlands, lakes and rivers offer 260 miles of trails and varied habitat to dozens of plant and animal species.
State(s): Washington
Established: 1899
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