

This pass gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee. $15 per vehicle OR if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months I suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass (which can be found at the entrance gates to most national parks). Things to Know Before Hiking at Mount Rainier National Park Entrance Fees Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The BEST National Park in America (2021) () WATCH: Here I am with my brother Jim featured on The Weather Channel chatting about the national parks. I’m Will Pattiz, and along with my brother Jim, we’re collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks. I’ve visited Mount Rainier in every season and while they all have their beauty nothing compares to the summer wildflower season. I compare it to gazing upon the Grand Canyon – one can look for hours and still not fathom the size and scale of the scene before them.Įver since that first trip I’ve returned dozens of times hiking most of the trails in the park, trying all of the things to do in Mt Rainier. Looking at that unfathomably massive peak up close was mesmerizing. I first visited Mt Rainier back when I was fresh out of college and was totally taken aback by its epic grandeur.
Mt rainier reflection lake hike professional#
As a professional photographer by trade I’ll also be including some (way too many) photos of each hike so you know what to expect on the trails. In this article I’ll gush about my favorite Mt Rainier hikes and spill the beans with insider tips on where/when to go and what not to miss on each trail. I’ve hiked these trails in summer, spring, winter, and fall and know the best times to hike each one (pretty much mountain spring / summer). Living in the great pacific northwest I’ve done more Mt Rainier hikes than I can count. Maybe I’m a sucker for this most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous US but hiking the trails at Mt Rainier never gets old, nor do the incredible scenery and adventures in this national park. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Mount Rainier’s hikes are the most beautiful you’ll find anywhere in the world. There’s a reason they call the area Paradise! It was such a fun adventure and I can’t wait to come back someday and hike the other trails.Article Overview: Best Hikes Mt Rainier National Park While there are so many trails and regions of the park to explore, the Reflection Lakes Loop is a great choice because you get to see it all - mountains, wildlife, flowers, and lakes. Just beyond Faraway Rock is a small “hidden” pond - Fairy Pond is not on the map, but it’s hard to miss! There’s something so special about this quiet spot in the middle of the mountain. It was such a magical moment I’ll never forget.

The best surprise, about halfway through the hike, was reaching Faraway Rock and being welcomed by the most peaceful view of the Tatoosh Mountain Range and the ever so blue Louise Lake. While some parts of the trail can get steep, I’d say that the hike is moderate and definitely doable for someone who isn’t a “hiker.” If anything, it’s a great workout, and the views are so worth it!

From there, drop down to the lake and hike counterclockwise! Begin your hike at the base of mountain - the trailhead is located right off of Stevens Canyon Road. In only 2.75 miles roundtrip, the Reflection Lakes Loop trail offers sweeping views of mountain ranges and blooming wildflower meadows. But perhaps the best view of the mountain can be found at Reflection Lakes, located in the Paradise region. Just a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is perfect for a day trip, with hikes of all different lengths and levels. Mount Rainier may be the most iconic scene in Washington State, and there’s no better way to explore it than hiking one of its many trails.
