travelerfromtx

I'm considering a trip to Washington for next summer. I'm curious what the drive up Mt. Ranier is like. Are the roads narrow with steep drop-offs, or is it nothing to be nervous about?

Thanks.

stumpworks73

Nothing to be nervous about. The road has generous berms and no harrowing drop offs. You pass several waterfalls and scenic vistas. Be prepared to stop and enjoy the park and not hurry the drive.

If you pack a picnic lunch, I would suggest that some of the stops along the way are better venues than the area around Paradise.

Have a great trip. Well worth dedicating a day.

spirobulldog

Drive is easy and nothing to be worried about. Mt. Rainier was spectacular to me. Flowers unbelievable. We spent 2.5 days there and wished for more. We do like to hike, so if your not planning on doing much hiking, then 1 day might be enough.

travelerfromtx

Great to know, thanks!

Connie

If you mean a drive to the top, you can't drive to the top. The surrounding area has slow, twisty roads but beautiful scenery. We loved the area.

The hike up from the Paradise Visitor Center is fairly easy and leads to amazing views of the glaciers of Rainier.

Katzgar

the road is asphalty and mountainy.

travelerfromtx

Thanks for all the info. Trying to decide what to see and how long to spend at each place is difficult for this trip! So many choices. It sounds like Mt. Rainier is a must-see.

spirobulldog

"The hike up from the Paradise Visitor Center is fairly easy and leads to amazing views of the glaciers of Rainier."

That depends on which hike you take. Many interconnecting trails. Some of them are strenuous

Connie

I'm not talking about hiking on the glacier fields. We didn't find the hike up strenuous at all. It's paved, wide and at a decent grade. We saw people of all ages and abilities hiking the trail.

A description of the trail:
"Choose from gentle paths like the paved 1.0 mile wheelchair accessible Nisqually Vista Trail overlooking the massive Nisqually Glacier."

travelerfromtx

That is helpful information Connie, as my 80 year old mother might be joining us on this trip.

spirobulldog

While there certainly are some fairly easy hikes at Paradise many are indeed strenuous. Probably the most popular hike from Paradise is Panorama Point. This would certainly not fall into the easy range(most would consider it strenuous). Just look at a trail map, there are many trails that are very strenuous and I'm not talking about hiking on snowfields or glaciers.

Dayenu

From what I remember - and I took the bus tour - it was scary at times, insane drop-offs, and the feeling of "flying" not riding. I guess it depends on which roads you take as some roads were "tame".

spirobulldog

There is really only one road and most people enter at Ashford. (yes a couple of other minor roads that don't go very far into the park, I haven't been on those) That road connect with another road to Sunrise area and it is very mild as well. Surely Dayenu has something mixed up.
Mount Rainier is my all time favorite Mountain. Even if you just do one of the short hikes from Paradise area, you are going to see some great wildflowers. Sunrise, would be worth your driving time over to it as well.