- The Adventure
Explore the highest point reachable by car at Mount Rainier National Park and enjoy breathtaking views of Emmons glacier – the largest surface area of any glacier in the contiguous United States.
- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 169 miles (3h 45m)
- Trip Type: Day trip or Overnight trip
- Parking
Park in the park’s parking lot
- When to Go
Jun to Oct (the road to Sunrise is closed during winter. August is usually the best season to see abundance of wildflowers but its peak bloom varies each year.)
- Things to Do
Enjoy views of Mount Rainier, Emmons glacier, vibrant wildflower meadows and other volcanoes in the Cascade Range such as Mount Adams, Mount Baker, stroll along one or more trails
- 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) The trailhead begins at the southwest end of the Sunrise parking lot. Start your walk clockwise so that you can return to Sunrise along the wide and level old roadway.
5) The Sunrise Nature Trail (1.5 miles, 300 ft elevation gain) and Silver Forest Trail (2 miles, 150 ft elevation gain) are also easy trails that the whole family can enjoy with majestic views. Most of the trail at the Sunrise Nature Trail is wide allowing for side-by-side hiking while the Silver Forest Trail is narrower (more towards the end).
6) Kid-safe bug repellent can be useful to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away.
7) Kids preschool age and up may enjoy participating in the Junior Ranger program to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Ask for a junior ranger activity book at the visitor center.
- 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
Columnar Lava - When Fire and Ice Collided
Trailhead of Shadow Lakes Trail
Wildflowers at Sunrise
Emmons Glacier
A Peaceful Meadow of White River Valley
The Shadow Lake
Return to Sunrise Parking Lot
Emmons Glacier