Hiking Bliss: Mount Rainier’s Top 3 Easy Day Trails

Mt. Rainier is one of the most breathtaking hiking regions in the US! As a beginner, you can still enjoy this amazing natural beauty on some unforgettable hikes. Mt Rainier has breathtaking views, lush varied forests and stunning valleys that make hiking here the perfect activity for anyone seeking fresh air in spectacular environments. Be sure to pack your gear (and camera), come along with us to discover all that Mt Rainier has to offer

Compared to the likes of Zion National Park, Mt Rainier offers a little bit of everything for everyone. Learn about the 3 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier for a beginner hiker. These 3 hikes are accomplishable with only one day at the Mount Rainer National Park. This guide includes:

• Taking in the Paradise area’s wildflowers
• Seeing the mirror reflection of Mount Rainier in Reflection Lakes
• Concludes with an easy hike to a suspension bridge where the option to dip in a cool snow runoff river ends the day.

The weather in Washington is famous for the gloom, rain and poor visibility. During these poor weather days, the clouds cover Mount Rainier. If you have not seen this active volcano in the Washington horizon then when the clouds finally clear the view is remarkable. The enormous mountain in the skyline is quite shocking after days of cloud coverage.

The phrase “Rainier Day” describes the days where the clouds have cleared. On these days Mountain Rainier is visible in all her glory. Meaning that there is great weather outside.

As the icon of the state, Mount Rainier is the famous National Park of Washington. This volcano is actually still active. And boasts the title of: the largest mountain in the state of Washington.

Overview

• Location: Mount Rainier National Park
• Total Number of Hikes: 3 (optional 2)
• Total Time: 9 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Weather at Mount Rainier

The best period to visit Mount Rainier is between the period of Mid-July to Mid-October. This is when Mount Rainier is snow-free, and thus easier to navigate.
Starting in November portions of Mount Rainier close due to snow. During this time the National Park moves into Seasonal Operations.

There is a misconception that Washington is a very rainy state. Fun fact is that Florida receives more rain than Washington state does. But, while it is not downpouring or raining in the winter months, there is a constant fog or cloudiness. These clouds hang around the state.
To avoid the cloudy weather, the best period is to visit during July and August. July and August feature clear skies and sun. This is when the Washingtonians are enjoying festivals and national park visits. Therefore, July and August is when to enjoy the best hikes at Mount Rainier.

Visitors from the period of November to June are available. But, prepare for snow and portions of the park to be inaccessible. If you are visiting during winter months keep in mind that vehicles need chains for tires. Additionally, the road to Paradise closes every night.

Notes for Summer Months at Mount Rainier

The summer of months are Mount Rainier are popular. As stated there are two months of prime weather at Washington. So everyone scrambles to enjoy the national park or the many hiking trails in Washington.

Here are some tips to make the most of your visit to Mount Rainier during the summer months:

1Head into Rainier as early as possible to beat the traffic to the mountain. I have left at 3am to get there by 5am to get sunrise photos and a silent park. To enjoy the best hikes at Mount Rainier, prepare for an early start.

2Departing early also means parking! During the popular summer months, Paradise can become so packed with traffic that you are unable to find parking. This also goes with the Grove of the Patriarch. Departing early means getting parking.

3Carpool! If heading to Mount Rainier as a group, go together. This helps with the above parking issue – plus you will want some entertainment for the drive.

How to get to Mount Rainier

There are a couple of options for getting to Mount Rainier. As there are three main entrances to Mount Rainier. The options include the Northwest Entrance, Southwest Entrance, and then the Eastern Entrances. The most popular entrance is the Southwest entrance.

Southwest Entrance: More than likely you will be traveling on the very popular (busy) highway of I-5 in Washington. Either heading north or south on I-5 take exit 127 to SR 512. Then travel east on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance.

The other entrances to Mt Rainier are available, yet, are more weather dependent. The Southwest entrance is the most reliable one.

Driving to Mount Rainier

Here is some extra information about the road to Mount Rainier:

1The road turns into a one-lane road. So, during the busy summer months, this road can become very congested. There is the option to pass but it is of course at your own risk, and if the line of cars is exceeding four it grows difficult.

2The journey from the I-5 to Paradise is upwards of an hour and thirty minutes. This is if you can avoid traffic.

3If you want to stop and eat at an interesting location then check out Rainer Railroad Dining Co. in Elbe. You cannot miss it, as the restaurant is inside a train car. Bonus: you can stay in the train too.

The Top Three Hikes at Mount Rainier

If you are only able to make one day trip out to Mount Rainier then these are the three easy hikes to do. These three hikes will give you as much of a full experience of Mount Rainier as you can in one day, and with ease.

1. Paradise

• Hike Time: 2 hours
• Length: 1.5 miles

Paradise is the highest section of Mount Rainier that is accessible by vehicle. Making Paradise the most popular location to visit at Mount Rainier.

For one day at Mount Rainier, this is the first stop. To make the most of your trip, it is ideal to visit Paradise first thing in the morning. Throughout the day Paradise will become busier and busier (which means no parking). If you can arrive before sunrise. As you can hit the trail and capture some beautiful sunrise shots over the National Park.

As for where to explore at Paradise, Paradise offers many trails. These trails include Avalanche Lily Trail, Alta Vista Trail, Skyline Trail, and Waterfall trail.

The Skyline trail offers the best views, but, to complete this trail will require four hours. If the top views are important for you, then prioritize this trail. Drop one of the other two Mount Rainier locations (Reflection Lakes or Grove of Patriarchs).

But, if you want a quick cruise my recommendation is to take Deadhorse Creek Trail. Follow Deadhorse Creek Trail until it intersects with Skyline trail. Then head back down to the parking area from there. This loop will only take between an hour to two hours and take you around a good portion of Paradise in a loop.

Another reason to visit in July and August? The wildflowers are in their peak bloom during July and August at Paradise. As noted, this park is already busy, so expect major crowds and wedding photographers in the months of July and August.

2. Reflection Lakes

 

 

• Hike Time: 3 hours
• Length: 3 miles round trip

This second on the list of best hikes at Mount Rainier is Reflection Lakes. Reflection Lakes has two options for those trying to complete a one day trip to Mount Rainier. You can either continue with your hiking or take a shortcut!

From the parking lot of Paradise, you can cut over to the Lower Lakes Trail. Following Lower Lakes Trail takes you down the mountainside and to Reflection Lakes. The trail down is beautiful, walking between towering trees, and over little streams. So the trail is worth the hike if you have the time as Lower Lakes Trail makes for a great stroll.

The endpoint of Lower Lakes Trail is the Reflection Lakes which is the second most popular spot. This is due to Reflection Lakes being one of the popular photo spots at Mount Rainier.

This is a great location to spend lunch. So while at Reflection Lakes pull out the trail food and enjoy the reflection of the mountain.

But, if you are not in the mood to hike down (this hike is moderate in difficulty as it can be steep in some areas) then there is the option to drive. Yes, there is a parking area right next to Reflection Lakes that is accessible from Paradise. So cruise down to the parking area and get the same photo views.

The drive will be about 30 minutes, whereas the hike will be another 3 hours.

3. Grove of the Patriarchs

 

 

• Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Length: 1.2 miles

The Grove of the Patriarchs is a family favorite hike. This trail located on the eastern side of the park and is about a 30-minute drive from Reflection Lakes or from Paradise.

This hike is easy, with an elevation gain of 45 feet. Yes, this is a flat trail that walks along a river. During this stroll, you will walk beside enormous thousand-year-old Douglas fir and western red cedar trees. These trees create great visuals as some have fallen over the trail and trees cut through.

Another reason that Grove of the Patriarch is a great trail to visit, is the fun accessibility to a suspension bridge at Rainier National Park. This suspension bridge crosses over Ohanapecosh River. Giving a sense of adventure as you go across the wobbling and bouncing bridge.

If you want, take a break before or after the bridge to go enjoy the water of the Ohanapecosh River. The water of the Ohanapecosh River is clear as the river starts from a snowfield, and not from a glacier-like most of the rivers. But, the water is very cold! Even in summer months, only the brave will submerge in the river. But the river is a nice place to enjoy a quick foot soak.

This hike is a great way to end a day at Mount Rainier. An easy stroll next to giants, with a beautiful river to soak your feet in after a long day of hiking up and down Mount Rainier.

Wildlife to See at Mount Rainier

There is a variety of wildlife to spot at Mount Rainier. To include smaller mammals like chipmunks, marmots, and ground squirrels.

Larger wildlife can include coyotes and deer.

My personal favorite is the Cascade Red Fox. Spot this fox from Paradise down towards the picnic areas in the lower valley areas. These foxes, while called red foxes, are typically black or grey.

On the more dangerous scale, there is also the possibility of seeing mountain lions (puma, cougar).  Yet, mountain lions are nocturnal, so chances of spotting them during a visit are very low. As a side note with that, there have been no reported cougar attacks at Rainier National Park.

There is also the possibility of seeing a black bear, which spotting one is also slim like spotting a mountain lion. These bears have no interest in people and are skittish.

How to Interact with Wildlife at Mount Rainier

If you are out on the trail, and you happen to encounter the above wildlife here are some simple things to remember about wildlife:

• Wildlife is wild. Do not try to get a selfie with a black bear or mountain lion. Or a chipmunk. Leave them be.
• Appreciate but do not bother. If there is a safe distance between yourself and the animal, appreciate the animal and either wait for it to pass or move away if concerned with safety.
• Keep distance. This goes with the above comment, maintain a safe distance between yourself and the animal. Also, as to not bother the animal. The above photo of a cascade fox taken with a telephoto lens. I still maintained over 100ft between myself and the fox.
• Stay on the Trail. Do not go hunting for wildlife, the Rainier national park is an ecosystem which we are fortunate enough to get to enjoy.
• Stay on the trail so that generations to come can enjoy the park without erosion and ruined pastures and fields.