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00:17 Ohonapecosh Campground 02:52 Highway 123 To White River 05:52 Twin Firs Trail 06:57 Trail Of The Shadows 08:57 Stevens Canyon Road 20:27 Paradise Mt Rainier is a busy National Park, yet the deep woods environment has a way of hiding the big crowds. Some parts of this park are only open seasonally, so it is best to check the park website when planning a visit. Rainy cloudy weather is most often encountered, but there is a short dry season mid summer. Winter snow limits access in the high elevations, but no matter the time of year, a trip to Mt Rainier certainly will create memories that last a lifetime! The images were collected during a 2019 trip to Mt Rainier and while I worked there in 2022 after the federal Covid restrictions were relaxed. Unfortunately work interfered photography missions, so this is by no means a complete guide for touring Mt Rainier. There is a lot more to experience than what is pictured. If the rainforest experience is what you seek, then the Ohanapecosh Campground gets top billing. This campground is nestled under towering trees draped with moss, the ground is covered with pine needles like carpet and very little sunshine makes its way to the forest floor. Just a few steps away from the campground the thick deep woods await and the lush green growth truly is something to marvel over. The Ohanapecosh Campground has over 180 campsites that are suitable for RV campers or tents. From Ohanapecosh, Highway 123 goes to the Sunrise region of Mt Rainier. Sunrise is best toured from the mid to late summer season, since the road to Sunrise is usually closed the rest of the year due to the heavy snow pack. The White River Campground is located next to Sunrise and this spot offers picturesque scenery. There are also several creeks along the way worth checking out and there are places along the highway to capture views of the towering mountain peaks. The Mt Rainier hiking trail system is extensive and a park trail map will be handy. Some of the trails go the entire length of the park and there are many short trails that offer an opportunity to briefly enjoy the deep forest environment. There are waterfalls and mountain springs all over this volcano and the trails will take a visitor to the most picturesque places. Some trails are more challenging than others, so it is best to do a little research when making plans. A nice short hike option is the the Twin Firs Trail, which meanders through the tall trees to a small waterfall overlook. The full cycle of moss covered decaying redwood logs along with fresh new green growth are on full display along this trail. The Trail Of The Shadows is another short trek that is located next to the historic inn. This trail connects with many other pathways to distant points of interest. This trail can also be done as a short loop that begins and ends near the old inn. Photographers will be challenged by the very dim light conditions along the Trail Of The Shadows. A fast camera lens is recommended since using a flash is kind of taboo. Stevens Canyon Road runs east and west through the entire length of the park. This is a great sightseeing road when the weather permits. The odds always favor cloudy rainy conditions at Mt Rainier, so it is best to just go with it. As can be seen in the photos, dramatic scenes of cloud covered mountain peaks abound along Stevens Canyon Road. There are also several rivers, waterfalls and box canyons along the way. The roadside picnic areas are a nice convenience when doing this scenic drive. One of the most famous high elevation valleys at Mt Rainier is Paradise, which is located south of the volcano cone. Upon arrival the first stop should be the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, which provides the natural history of Mt Rainier. The visitor center is also a good place to adjust to the mile high elevation before getting the day started. Paradise is a vast high elevation lush green mountain meadow with blooming wildflowers, strands of tall trees, a trickling creek and there are even a few picturesque waterfalls. This is a very peaceful place where the gentle sounds of water and meadow songbirds create a dreamscape in full living color. The flower filled meadow surrounded by jagged volcanic mountain peaks does impart a feeling of being in a mystical paradise. As mentioned earlier, cloudy and rainy is par for the course at Mt Rainier, so even if you can’t see the volcanic peak through the clouds, Paradise is still worth experiencing. As always, there is much more to experience in person. Be sure to set some extra time aside for exploring this beautiful place!
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Destination West YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@DestinationWestOrg *The Destination West website upgrading project is well underway. Unique YouTube slideshows are replacing the outdated Flickr photo galleries. The new videos feature modern graphics and alternative music instrumentals that enhance the viewing experience. Some articles are being condensed, while others are getting much needed edits. As everybody knows, the bulk of the original articles and photos were published on the fly during the Covid camping venture and there were limitations. Upgrading is the way to go and more articles will receive a makeover each week until this project is completed. After that, I will be able to gather new material. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
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