- The Adventure
Explore the short(0.25 mile) Rain Forest Loop trail across the temperate rain forest and the largest and deepest lake in Mount Rainier National Park
- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 58.7 miles (1h 20min)
- Trip Type: Day trip or Overnight trip
- Parking
Park in the park’s parking lot
- When to Go
Jun to Oct (the park is partially open in winter also, but may be a difficult trip with young kids. Carbon river is open year-round and Mowich lake is only open in the summer.)
- Things to Do
Stroll along temperate rain forest trail, bike or hike along the car-free Carbon River Road, swimming in Mowich Lake, throw stones in the water, etc.
- Tips
1) Even when it’s sunny in Seattle, the Mt. Rainier area can be much different so be sure to check the park website and webcams for current conditions and also check the weather forecast for the Mt. Rainier area before departing.
2) The weather in the mountains change frequently so dress in layers to be prepared.
3) If your family is not used to spending long hours in the car, make it an overnight trip and spend a night near the park.
4) Drive past the Carbon River Ranger Station to the end of the Carbon River Road and park at the trailhead to the Rain Forest Loop Trail.
5) The Rain Forest Loop Trail is damaged a little past the half way mark so you may need to turn back from there.
6) To get to Mowich Lake you need to drive on an unpaved road for about 17 miles (27km), so be aware that it may become a hard journey without 4WD/AWD or if you do not have experience driving on unpaved roads.
7) Kid-safe bug repellent can be useful to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away.
- Guidebook
Family Trip to National Park 01 – Mount Rainier National Park
- ISBN :
9780998985305(paper)
9780998985312(eBook)
- Language : English
- Publication Date : Feb 10 2017
- Page Count : 104 pages
- Get the Book
[Paperback] : $14.99
Barnes & Noble, Amazon
[eBook] : $7.99
Apple iBooks Store, Amazon
Rain Forest Loop Trail, Carbon River
Off Road to Mowich Lake
Mowich Lake