We are going to be arriving in Seattle on August 16 and will spend 3 days in Seattle hanging out and seeing friends. Then on Friday or Saturday we wanted to "get out of town" and go to either Mt. Rainier, ONP or somehwere else. We are not serious outdoorsman but want to take photos and check out some beautiful locations. Neither of us have ever been to Mt. Rainier and due to the time of year some have recommeneded it. The only thing I am worried about is corwds and touristy locations. Any suggestions for Mt. Rainier or ONP that would be good to visit this time of the year that arent too touristy and enjoyable? We are in our late twenties. Thanks for any recommendations.

I highly recommend Mt Ranier but it definately is touristy. However I am sure if you are willing to do some hiking you could find trails with less people. I went for the first time last year and I loved it- there certainly are many photo opportunites. We hiked in the area around Paradise Lodge - beautiful meadows of flowers, great photo ops of the mountain- I think its a great choice - havent been to the ONP yet so cant give advice there.

Mt. Rainier is the most popular day trip from Seattle, but he Olympic Peninsula might provide a more relaxing and satisfying experience considering your interest in photography. You will get great shots of the Seattle skyline on the ferry. You can get photos in the charming town of Port Townsend and at Hurricane Ridge, Crescent Lake, and Merrymere Falls--a pleasant walk through a rain forest from Crescent Lake Lodge.

Both venues offer unique opportunities as indicated by the previous posters. However, you answered your own question when you said you have never been to Mt. Rainier. You really must go. IMO it's as simple as that.

The Sunrise visitor center side of the Mountain is usually less crowded. Views and photo ops are pretty much unlimited. The weather has been absolutely perfect lately, particularly on the Mountain. You can take a couple of mile hike and leave the most crowded areas behind. Mt. St. Helens is another idea, or even a next day continuation of a Mt. Rainier trip.

I just returned from a trip to both Mt. Rainier and ONP. Both are fabulous but I'd go to Mt. Rainier if you have just two days. We were there in the middle of July and people told us it would be crowded. On the trails right at the Paradise Lodge, we saw about 50 people but they were spread over great distances. We passed about 10 on our two hour hike. We drove to Stevenson Pass and passed only ONE CAR. We hiked a trail there and saw just two other people. There would have been gobs of people at Yosemite and lines of cars trying to get into the Park. Rainier was relatively deserted. Maybe we were lucky but don't hesitate to see a fabulous mountain you'll always remember!

We avoid crowds at Mt. Rainier by spending the night in Yakima, getting up early, and heading to Sunrise over Chinook Pass. Otherwise, there is a long wait to even get through the entrance gate to vista point. Other times we have gone nuts going around in circles trying to find a parking spot at Paradise.

There is a reason Mt. Rainier is the most popular day trip from Seattle and Tacoma, but if your basic desire is to "get out of town" and "check out some beautiful locations," there are many other options.

Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island or the North Cascade Loop, to name two.

Thanks so much for all the great replies! I had a hard time finding my own posts so I didnt realize I got so many good ideas! We decided on driving from Seattle to Port Townsend for the aternoon then on to Dungeness Spit and are staying at the Juan De Fuca Cottages as a base. Then driving from the cottages to ONP, Port ANgeles for a day trip to Victoria and then maybe an adventure of two on the way back to Seattle.

This forum setup is much different than most and hard to find posts.

hi Windmiller,
did you figure out how to find your own posts? You can just click on your name in any post, or from the main screen near the top. It will bring up all your own posts. Click on anybodys name to find theirs.

My first reaction to your question was go to ONP, it was great. But I agree with the person who said if you only have a day or so, go to Mount Ranier. It may be crowded, but I'd still go up to Paradise lodge for the view, and maybe for lunch. If its a relatively clear day, there are a couple of short hikes you can do from there.

i stayed right down the road from the cottages and loved the location. walking on the spit was really beautiful, you'll get some really great shots.

I live in Seattle and love Mt. Rainer, but yes, it does get very crowded n August. Not many people talk about Mt. Baker because it's much less known and much less touristy, but I can tell you, it's also very gorgeous, closer, and, as I said...much less touristy. We stayed in condos in Glacier, but there are other places as well.

Another nearby place that is close and less touristy is the town of Index.

fyi, i think i saw on pbs, that mount baker has one of the really neat big hotels built in the style of many of the national parks great inns. that might be a real experience!