Weather was questionable right around our trip so we had to map things out and keep in mind that our plans might change last minute. We researched different routes into the park, but even still, with weather, the whole park was affected. We decided to go ahead and stick with our original plan and we made our way to the SW entrance of Mount Rainier.
Chains required went away on May 1st but there was snow the days leading up to us coming so chains were recommended. We learned from park staff that snow really can occur any day of the year no matter what at Mount Rainier. So, I guess our visit wasn’t entirely unusual!
When we got to the park, it was open and we were able to get in to Longmire which was where we hoped to at least make it in to. The trees were mossy and beautiful; and now having been to all 3 parks, I feel like he trees at Mount Rainier were kind of a mix of North Cascades & Olympics trees in a way. It was rainy and drizzly and we stopped to enjoy our time at Longmire. At Longmire, they have small museums, a Hotel & restaurant (serves coffee which is need-to-know for a cold/wet/rainy trip!) They also have the typical gift shop and access to hikes here.
There is a nice hike here; Trail of the Shadows. It is a simple loop hike but shows a lot of history too. We learned that Mt Rainier is the 5th oldest National Park; formed in 1899. The hike showed some old hot springs, the base of the old hotel from original years, trees, water, and my favorite part were these Yellow flowers called “Skunk Cabbage”. It looked like yellow cala lilies in a way and was so striking with all of the green and then there’s just this yellow flower popping up here and there and everywhere.
After our hike, we checked the roads again and found out there were sketchy and there was so much snow most of the what we’d want to see was inaccessible too. Still so much to see, but not enough time and the weather wasn’t in our favor.
We ventured out of the park and on to our next campsite. And here we saw the native Black-tailed deer (very different than the mulies in Colorado.)
Campground: Alder State Park
-Talk about gorgeous! Reminded me of Flathead Lake in Montana
-We were one of 3 campers in the massive campground and this made our trip since Mt. Rainier was kind of a bummer due to weather & roads
