MOUNT RAINIER

Category: Northwest Region

State: Washington

Date Created: March 2, 1899.

Last Visited by Susan: September 2023

Location: The park is located in the U.S. state of Washington, encompassing the iconic Mount Rainier, a stratovolcano, and its surrounding landscapes.

Size: Approximately 236,381 acres (95,914 hectares).

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”

— Dr. Seuss

Susan's Reflections:

The park was named after 14,410 foot Mount Rainier. It is seriously majestic. There are more than 300 lakes, dozens of waterfalls, 25 glaciers and 50 permanent snowfields. We hiked through meadows of wildflowers, stopped at scenic overlooks, gazed spell-bound at the shimmering Nisqually Glacier, contemplated the workmanship of old rock bridges, walked through old-growth forests of douglas fir, cedar and hemlock and as the sunset contemplated the comfort of mountaineers most likely crawling into their warm sleeping bags achy and tired. Annually about 10,000 attempt the summit and 50% succeed. Mt Rainier is a fabulous park to visit.