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Mount Rainier - Washington

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Descriptive:
The lofty peak of Mount Rainier rises 14,400 feet at its highest point above sea level. Known as Tahoma, or the Great Mountain, to the Indians, this rocky giant dominates the horizon for many miles. The icy fingers of living glaciers, covering about 40 square miles, trace their way down the peaks of this dormant volcano in the Cascade mountain range.

Over 300 miles of trails make this an ideal landscape for hiking.
Mountain climbing is exquisite here, and to many mountain climbers, Mount Rainier is considered the mecca for the experienced climber.

Geography/terrain:
About seventy-five glaciers cover the peaks of Mount Rainier, radiating from its great summit. Though some of these are smaller, unnamed glaciers, the longest is Carbon Glacier, which stretches for six miles.

Vegetation:
Western red cedar
Western hemlock
Douglas fir
Engelmann spruce
Mountain hemlock
Alaska cedar
Pacific silver fir
Whitebark pine

Lilies
Mountain buttercup
Dogtooth violet
Indian paintbrush
Dogwood trees

Wildlife:
Blacktail deer
Elk
Mountain goat
Black bears
Porcupine
Marmot
Snowshoe hare
Beaver
Cougar
Bobcat
Coyote
Fox

Chickadees
Woodpeckers
Owls
Pipits

Key locations:
Paradise Glacier is the most accessible of the glaciers, and features a wonderful glacial phenomenon known as ice caves. In summer months, small grottos are melted out along the sides of the glacier, and these tiny rooms take on a lovely shade of blue as the sun's rays filter through the snow. Late August or September is the best time to see the ice caves.

Wonderland Trail circles the mountain and presents some of the most unspoiled scenery of the Park. Ninety miles long, approximately ten days are required to fully make the loop. Three-walled shelters are set up along the trail at regular intervals and are equipped with a fireplace.
Spectacular views of Mount Rainier await one at the end of the Sourdough Mountain Trail at Sunrise Point. Sunrise Point is at an elevation of about 6,000 feet, and also offers excellent views of Emmons, Frying Pan Glaciers and a slightly obstructed view of Winthrop Glacier.

Ohanapecosh features a picturesque campground and natural hot springs.

Numerous waterfalls occur within the Park, some of which tumble from hanging valleys as the result of glacial activity. Some of these are Comet Falls, Narada Falls, Giant Falls, Nisqually River Falls, Silver Falls and many smaller waterfalls.

Activities:
Hiking
Backcountry camping
Mountain climbing
Fishing
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing

Trails:
Burroughs Mountain Trail
Carbon Glacier Trail
Emmons Vista Self-Guiding Nature Trail
Kautz Creek Self-Guiding Nature Trail
Paradise Glacier Trail
Skyline Trail
Sourdough Mountain Trail
Trail of the Shadows
Wonderland Trail