louistraveler5

My husband & I are thinking about spending a long weekend at Mt Rainier. We have been to Mt Rainier, once, 7 years ago. We went in late September and were only there for a day. It was a very foggy day and I don't remember much about the park except for the Grove of Patriarchs Trail and the blackberry pie at the Copper Creek Inn!

We will be traveling August 3-7. Thursday we will fly to Seattle and drive to Mt Rainier. This gives us three days for the park, Friday/Saturday/Sunday, then fly home Monday. It has to be this weekend because it is our anniversary.

Every year we travel to Rocky Mtn National Park which has Trail Ridge Road and we have our hiking spots. Also, we have the town, Estes Park, for shops and eating. I'm not much of a shopper. I am more into the nature aspect. I'm not expecting, or even wanting, Mt Rainier to be the same. I just would like an idea of what to expect as compared to our usual trip to Rocky.

Not knowing Mt Rainier very well, I am wondering if 3 full days is too much? Will we have enough hiking/scenic drives to do to fill three days?

With wildflowers and a better chance of sun, is August going to be too busy to enjoy?

Thanks!

Gardyloo

This has been a very snowy winter (currently 13 feet on the ground at Paradise) so it might make for a delayed start to the wildflower peak. Usually early August would be prime time, but of course there's really no saying at this point.

What is certain is that weekends at MRNP in the summer can indeed be awfully popular; you might find it hard to find accommodations, and places like the Paradise and Sunrise visitor centers can be jammed. The day hiking trails near those centers, and other areas like the Patriarchs, can also have quite a few people about.

Which is not to say "don't go," obviously MRNP is terrific and worth your time. But don't expect a lonely wilderness; you'll have lots of company.

Some other thoughts...

That weekend is "Seafair weekend" in Seattle. Seafair is a big mid-summer festival that features lots of activities including navy ship visits, hydroplane races on Lake Washington, and a big air show featuring the Blue Angels. Things can be hopping. Might or might not be fun depending on your tastes.

Thinking out loud, I'd suggest you look at a couple of alternate places, just as thought experiments.

- First would be Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. You could stay in Port Angeles, do a hike or two at Hurricane Ridge, maybe take a day to go to Victoria BC on the Coho ferry, or if you're feeling ambitious, drive (couple of hours) out to the Hoh Valley rain forest and do the Hall of Mosses hike - amazing, spooky, beautiful.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8445/7...10e85c6a_b.jpg
http://www.beautifulwashington.com/i...ain-forest.jpg

- Or look at Picture Lake and Artist Point at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. The views of Mt. Shuksan are stunning, and there are excellent trails in the area. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AxDYx4oPflc/maxresdefault.jpg

Just some thoughts.

louistraveler5

Gardyloo, thanks for your insight!

I did happen to book a cabin I have always had my eye on! I know that August is a busy month, everywhere! I know not to expect solitude. I'm still on the fence, though.

Is there enough hikes? Scenic drives? More places to eat? I don't mind eating at the Copper Creek Inn every night! DH & I are not foodies!

7 yrs ago, when we went to Mt Rainier, the first and only time, we stayed in Seattle and we also ventured out to Olympic NP. We did not go to Hurricane Ridge; we passed by beautiful Lake Crescent; we went to Ruby Beach and the Hoh Rainforest. It was magical!

Again, is three full days too much? Instead, should we do the Hoh Rainforest, beaches nearby, and Hurrican Ridge?

I did want that blackberry pie, though! What to do, what to do?

Gardyloo

Are there enough scenic hikes or drives around Mt. Rainier for three days? Well, opinions differ, but just my (maybe minority) opinion, no.

What time is your plane on Monday? Could you fly home from Portland instead? If you could, then you might spend a day at Rainier, then take the (gorgeous) Stevens Canyon Rd. from Paradise out to the east to US 12, then over (also beautiful) White Pass down to Yakima.

From Yakima head south on US 97 to the Columbia River at Maryhill, then west to Hood River. You could spend a day (or more) around Hood River - hikes in the Columbia Gorge or on the slopes of Mount Hood, or head up toward Mt. Adams on the Washington side of the river. Go wine tasting in the Hood River Valley, visit the Maryhill Museum, eat fab food (a real foodie and artisan beer/wine center in Hood River) then fly home from PDX. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/xMvZ9u74doJ2

But if you have a place at Rainier that you're happy with, there's no reason to switch, and I'm sure there's enough to keep you busy. Check out the gondola at the Crystal Mountain ski area not far from the Sunrise access road for an eye-level view of Rainier from the nice restaurant at the top of the gondola run. https://crystalmountainresort.com

Fodorite018

I disagree with gardyloo about the hikes. There are MANY hikes, and even with 3 days you won't have time for them. Three days is definitely not too much for anyone that hikes!

tomfuller

There is a nice PAVED Forest Service road that runs from Randle (US 12) south on the east side of Mt. St Helens all the way to Carson on Washington 14 on the Columbia Gorge.
Cross the Columbia on the "Bridge of the Gods" at Cascade Locks. Take the old Columbia Gorge highway off I-84 to see a bunch of waterfalls including Multnomah.
There are good hikes at several of the Oregon waterfalls.
I'm hoping that the big culvert doesn't wash out again on the Randle-Carson road. It depends on how fast the snow melts.

suze

I think there's plenty to do at Rainier to fill 3 days time. Especially in full summer weather with it staying light so late (like 10pm).

louistraveler5

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm thinking of flying to Portland, stopping at Multnomah Falls then driving to Mt Rainier; flying home from Seattle.

I'm sure we will have enough hikes and relax time to fill our time. Definitely plenty of blackberry pie!

Thanks again!

Fodorite018

That is a good way to plan it Enjoy!

tom_mn

2 things: Multnonah Falls can be nearly dry in August, and having not seen Mt Ranier in multiple trips to Seattle (inc July and September) we camped for 3 nights there in early August to "make sure we would see it"-- didn't work out.