Being a Disabled Hiker Isn’t Always Easy. In Mt. Rainier’s Paradise, I Found My Flow.
At one of the most beautiful parks in the northwest, this hiker went outside on their own terms.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park encompasses the namesake peak: a 14,000-foot volcanic giant that looms large over Washington’s pacific northwest. Climbing Mt Rainier is a career goal for many Cascade Range peak-baggers, but exploring the park’s many miles of trail equally popular among the less alpine-inclined. If you are passing through Seattle, set aside a day for some Mt Rainier hikes. We recommend trying a section of the Wonderland Trail. If you do want to make it to the top of the mountain itself, plan accordingly; summit attempts can take up to 6 days to complete.
The Definitive Guide to the Wonderland Trail
Get ready to trek around Washington's most iconic mountain, through some of the best scenery in the lower 48.
Latest in Mount Rainier National Park
Snowshoe to Paradise (Literally) in Mount Rainier National Park
Find otherworldly snow formations just a few hours outside Seattle.
To Avoid Mt. Rainier's Crowds, Go Off Trail
Venture off the path to find solitude in one of America’s busiest parks.
Surviving the Death March
All hikes end. Sometimes that's a blessing.
Best 100 Miles: Fryingpan Creek to Indian Bar, Wonderland Trail, Mt. Rainier NP, WA
These 9 miles of wildflower-studded meadow are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.
Mount Rainier National Park: Kautz Rampart Loop
Pass through a sanctuary of towering old-growth forest and lush open meadows on this 5.5-mile loop around The Ramparts with majestic views of snowcapped Rainier.
Mount Rainier National Park: Paul Peak Trail to Mowich River
Hike 6.5 miles on a lesser-traveled trail on the forested side of Paul Peak to the Wonderland Trail, then down to the banks of the Mowich River.
Mount Rainier National Park: Huckleberry Creek
Hike one of the loneliest trails in Mount Rainier National Park on this 9.5-mile shuttle hike. You'll start high in alpine tundra, descend past a lovely lake, and trek through mossy old-growth forest.
Best Winter Trips: Mt. Rainer National Park, Washington
The granddaddy of the Cascades looms above Seattle like a great white beacon for snow junkies. The mountain's 25 major glaciers hold enough ice to bury Manhattan 150 feet deep, and some of the planet's highest recorded snowfalls guarantee powder for all. Paradise, the park's winter epicenter, has year-round road access.