There’s a small window for visiting Mount Rainier National Park with minimal snow.
And the Pacific Northwest shows up for it! I got to the gate at 8:17 am, and the line was already a half-mile long, taking 15-20 minutes to reach the entrance booths. On my way out, at around 12:30 pm, the line was three miles long (which means it was a 90-120 minute wait to get into the park). Parking was full when I got to the visitor center, so I followed the crowd to park 10 minutes down the road (walking minutes).
First stop was the Paradise Inn! (Since the visitor center gift shop didn’t open until 11 am.)
The Paradise Inn opened July 1, 1917. It has a steeply sloped roof that needs to support a massive amount of snow. A photo outside shows snow up to the eaves and notes that the record annual snowfall is 1,122 inches (1971-1972).
Inside the inn.
Second stop was Myrtle Falls, which is a short hike from the inn.
The view from the other side of the Myrtle Falls bridge.
Traffic on the bridge.
Hiking the Golden Gate Trail.
Someone adorable was making loud rustling sounds in the bushes.
It was RIDICULOUSLY scenic.
I always pictured Mt. Rainier as a bleak snow-covered rock that gives way to bare dirt at lower altitudes, but fortunately Nene clued me to the alpine-esque meadows and wildflowers.
The trail is mostly steps until it gets to the switchbacks.
I took this as a sign that it’s time to turn around.
Headed back down.
The visitor center gift shop was open! They had a vegan sandwich!
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