Dear Gardyloo,

Thanks for answering my questions about ONP and for all the other information you give to other posters. I'm still in a pickle about adding a visit to Rainier to my trip. I can't get reservations inside the Park at the beginning of my trip to ONP. I might be able to get them at the end of the trip and do a day trip from Seattle. That seems like a lot of driving at the end of the trip but it may be the best solution. A second option would be to drive from Seattle or Tacoma to Rainier and the beginning of the trip and stay outside the Park. A third option would be to drive to Rainier at the beginning of the trip and then take 12 to Olympia or Elma (or a little town on the way) for the night before starting out for Quinault the next morning. I like this third option but then I'd have luggage in my car while I'm hiking and sightseeing most of the day and that makes me nervous.

I've read your other posts about ONP having more to offer than Rainier and recommending one day at Rainier. This is a "survey" trip for us. We want to see a little of everything on this trip so we can plan a second trip another year and see the area in greater depth.

What would you recommend on Rainier? Thanks!
Jeannette

Depending on how much walking around at Rainier you plan to do, it's a fairly easy day trip from Seattle or Tacoma - couple of hours each way max (closer to Tacoma) to the Paradise lodge area. So you could spend two nights in your base, i.e., arrival, then the night after a Rainier day trip, and still have plenty of time to get to Lake Quinault. Alternatively, you could make it from Mt. Rainier to Quinault in maybe 3 1/2 hours, so if you wanted to just head over when you leave Rainier, you could. Long daylight, remember.

Lake Quinault is around 3 hours drive time from Seattle, 40 min. less from Tacoma, so it's not exactly a killer drive. And FWIW (sorry, locals) the drive out to the coast from Seattle/Tacoma is not especially inspiring, so you can make good time.

I wouldn't bother with some intermediate spot after Rainier; just return to your first base and strike off for Quinault the next morning. The same thing goes if you want to save Mt. Rainier for the end of the trip too, although if you're going to Hurricane Ridge in ONP you might be getting a little mountained out by then.

Thanks! I'm leaning towards making Ranier a day trip from Seattle at the end of the trip. If we're pooped out, we'll do it next time.

Jeannette

There is nothing like a visit to Mt. Rainier on a clear day, and one nice thing is that during a day trip, in addition to hiking around Paradise, you can visit two water falls, Box Canyon, and drive on a one-way road that gives spectacular views of the Cascade range.

Keep checking on room availability as your arrival date draws near. People do cancel.

Thanks for the encouragement! I called and got a room at Paradise Inn. Now, I've got that part of the trip settled.

Jeannette

Have a great time.