022_MT. RAINIER NP_Travel Nurse Adventure– Washington pt. 2

The Route: Centralia- Paradise- Centralia

Days: 1

The only entrance to Mt. Rainier that was still open in October was Paradise, as that is the “prime winter-use area in the park” https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/paradise.htm.

Though the visitor center is closed all but weekends during the winter season (Oct-May), the trails are open. So my day-trek around and about Mt. Rainier started with the drive to the Henry Jackson Visitor Center parking lot. I stopped for photos of waterfalls along the way.

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From the parking lot, one trail branches off into several. I choose to ascend via the Skyline Trail, hitting Glacier Vista and Panorama Point along the way, and then scramble down Golden Gate Trail to Myrtle Falls. I realized very quickly that my trip would not be very successful or enjoyable without my microspikes. The sky was clear and the sun was shining bright the day I chose to go, and it had been nice weather for the past few days, so the snow that had fallen was mid-melt. The first part of the initial trail from the parking lot is paved and in several areas concrete was exposed. But several more areas were iced over from the snow melting during the day and re-freezing at night. Half the time I couldn’t decide if I wanted the damn spikes on or not and for a good bit I just walked on concert with them on. But once the path branched and I chose to continue onward and upward, it became mostly hard packed snow/ice and the microspikes were a must. The view at Glacier Vista  is amazing, being right next to Mt. Rainier. From that vantage point, Rainier doesn’t even seem like a hard hike :p

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After climbing a bit further, sometimes on snow and sometimes on exposed man-made steps, I came upon Panorama Point. Most appropriately named. The sky was so clear that I could see Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams in the distance. It was incredible! I spent a lot of time there exploring, taking photos, and soaking in the view. Note: you have to look off into the distance to see all three peaks!

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I could have continued hiking the Skyline Trail (Upper or Lower) making a wide loop back to the parking lot but I decided to cut through the center of the loop via the Golden Gate Trail to see Myrtle Falls. I had heard such good things about Myrtle Falls and I was far from disappointed. One of the most majestic and magical waterfalls I have ever seen. Partially frozen and partially flowing, I just stood in awe. Warning, given the ice situation, it was not easy to scramble back up the hill after sliding down to reach the viewing point, even with microspikes on!

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On the drive home I stopped at Narada Falls which was another beautiful waterfall (short walk from a pitchoff parking lot) and Cougar Rock Campground for sunset views of The Mountain. I am infamous for stopping too often for pictures but when I travel alone I don’t have anyone to nag me, so, stop I did!

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I wish that I could have visited before most of the park was closed. I had originally prepared to camp at least two nights in the park and visit 3 different sections. If I ever return, will aim for August or September to try to avoid crowds but still have clear and sunny skies. I pushed my luck going so late in the season but just one day on one trail was more than worth it. And, furthermore, they say that if there’s only one trail you can do in all of Mt. Rainier NP, Skyline Trail is the one to do!