Welcome, fellow explorers! Are you ready to uncover the best-kept secrets of Mount Rainier National Park's stunning paradise? Nestled within this natural wonderland lies a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Join me as we embark on an adventure to explore the enchanting landscapes of this majestic park.
It takes approximately 2 hours by car to reach Paradise from Seattle, Washington. Upon nearing the national park, you will arrive at the Nisqually entrance located on the southwestern side of the mountain.
Because Mount Rainier National Park is so popular, the national park service has implemented a timed entry reservation system that you can obtain on the Recreation.gov website. Make sure to secure your reserved time slot several months ahead to guarantee availability.
Even though it would be possible to spend a whole week here without fully exploring all that this 235,000-acre park has to offer, we decided to visit for two days and one night in the Paradise Corridor. The Sunrise Corridor on the opposite side of the mountain provides a different and unique view of this stunning park.
Bears inhabit this region, so stay vigilant and wise when hiking in this national park. Read my blog pos,t What To Bring When Visiting A National Park , for more information.
Kautz Creek Trailhead
After passing through the Nisqually entrance, we stopped by the Kautz Creek Trailhead, located just 3 miles to the east. This trailhead provides a parking lot with restroom facilities. A short walk across the street leads to the trail, which starts with a .10-mile boardwalk offering a stunning initial glimpse of Mount Ranier covered in glaciers. Along the trail, there are numerous interpretive signs detailing how Mount Ranier influenced the landscape at Kautz.
Twin Firs Loop Trail
Just a short 10 minutes from Kautz Trailhead is Twin Firs Loop Trail. Minimal parking is located at the trailhead along the road.
The Twin Firs Loop Trail is a 0.4-mile trail that highlights a section of the park's ancient forest. While the original "twin firs" that named the trail are no longer present, you can still spot the "big three" conifer species of the forest: Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Red Cedar. These evergreen trees are massive, with the potential to reach heights ranging from ninety to three hundred feet!
It was an enjoyable and brief trail that served as a good warm-up for the longer hikes.
Christine Falls Viewpoint
Starting from the Nisqually entrance of the park, continue driving for 10.7 miles until you reach a small parking area right after the Comet Falls trailhead. Around the bend, you will find a short set of stairs behind the parking area that will take you to the overlook of the falls.
Located below the stone bridge, a stunning waterfall view of Christine Falls awaits just a short walk down the stairs. It offers a beautiful and distinctive perspective of the falls.
Although not clearly visible in this image, there is a wooden bridge in the distance crossing the falls. Another trail leads to a closer view of Christine Falls, a 60-foot waterfall adorned by a picturesque arched bridge.
Starting from the uphill pullout, a brief trail (approximately 100 feet) leads to the scenic view of these stunning waterfalls, featuring a remarkable wooden bridge.
Narada Falls
Our next destination is Narada Falls! This short roundtrip hike is moderately steep. Located just one mile from Paradise, this magnificent waterfall is the largest one in the park that you can reach by car, and it is truly awe-inspiring. At the site, you will discover ample parking space with a viewpoint, a stone-faced bridge spanning the top of Narada Falls, restrooms, picnic tables, and a trail leading to a scenic overlook.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this immense waterfall, appreciating the various viewpoints of the cascading water.
Henry Jackson Visitor Center
In just a few minutes, we reached the Henry Jackson Visitor Center, located just a three-minute walk from our hotel, the Paradise Inn. During our trip to the visitor center, we consulted with a park ranger to revise our schedule. It seems that in June, a portion of the Paradise area remained inaccessible because of snow. Park rangers are always a great source of recommendations for exploring the park according to your preferences.
During our visit, we typically acquire a souvenir magnet and maybe a shirt, refill our water bottles, and utilize the restroom facilities. Moreover, if you require any refreshments, there is a cafe at the visitor center where you can find food and beverages.
Paradise Corridor
Where to Stay: Paradise Inn
Due to the proximity of our hotel accommodations, the Paradise Inn, we promptly checked in, freshened up, and then proceeded to the outdoor patio for a light lunch. The patio offers stunning views and ample seating options. In case you didn't bring your own food, there is a cafe on-site that serves delicious meals and beverages.
Despite the snowy scenery, the temperature outside was a pleasant and cozy 50 degrees. The sun was shining so brightly that I ended up feeling too warm in my jacket.
Opting to lodge at this historic hotel, constructed in 1916, was an excellent choice! The accommodations were very convenient, featuring comfortable rooms and a charming lodge atmosphere complete with wood-burning fireplaces, a gift shop, restaurant, and cafe.
In order to disconnect from the outside world, there are no televisions, internet access, or phones available on the premises.
Although the restaurant is conveniently located, the food could have been slightly better. The dishes were served at room temperature and my pasta with mushrooms lacked flavor. On the other hand, my husband's roasted chicken was tasty but not very hot.
Nevertheless, the following morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast from the cafe. We indulged in breakfast parfaits, breakfast burritos, fresh fruit, and coffee.
Hiking in Paradise near the Henry Jackson Visitor Center
Discover any of these routes to experience breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, subalpine meadows, and wildlife. Notice that there are no wildflowers in June. The best time to visit for observing wildflowers is between July and September.
Nisqually Vista Trail (1.2 mi/1.9 km) - Views of the Nisqually Glacier. Suitable for families with strollers.
Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls (1 mi/1.6 km) - Paved and wheelchair accessible with assistance.
Deadhorse Creek Trail & Morraine Trail (2.5 mi/4 km) - Glacier and wildflower views.
Alta Vista Trail (1.7 mi/2.7 km) - Wildflowers and views of the Paradise area. July & August
Myrtle Falls
Starting from the Muir Steps, most trails in the Paradise area were inaccessible due to snow cover. Despite this obstacle, we were prepared with our hiking boots to make our way to Myrtle Falls. The 0.44-mile journey, which typically takes 17 minutes on foot along the Waterfall Trail east, turned into a 45-minute trek in the snow. Walking through the snow was challenging, but we pushed through, even though snow cleats were available for rent at the visitor center.
During our time at Myrtle Falls, we were able to witness a part of the snowy falls and were pleasantly surprised to spot an adorable marmot as we breathed in the crisp mountain air.
Nisqually Vista Loop Trail
For a panoramic vista that will take your breath away, venture onto the Nisqually Vista Loop. This short but rewarding trail offers sweeping views of the Nisqually Glacier and the surrounding mountain peaks.
In June once more, the trail was covered in snow, yet it was enjoyable and exciting for hiking. The stunning views of Mount Rainier are truly breathtaking, and I can only envision the incredible beauty this area must hold in the late summer season.
Regrettably, the rest of the trails were mostly inaccessible due to the snow, making it necessary to have snowshoes. Consequently, we decided to return to our hotel to enjoy some hot coffee by the fire and relax until dinner.
Reflection Lakes
Early the next morning we made our way to Reflection Lakes, where the serene waters mirror the grandeur of Mount Rainier, creating a captivating reflection that is nothing short of magical. Relax by the lake and soak in the peacefulness..
To get there, head east on Stevens Canyon Road for 3 miles (4.8 km) from Paradise. Starting from either end of the parking lots next to the lakes, the Lakes Trail is a roughly three-mile loop trail. It ascends to the ridge above the lake from the west side, continues along the ridge to Faraway Rock, and then descends back to the lake.
Regrettably, the Lakes Trail was buried under a minimum of six feet of snow, making it inaccessible. It's surprising that some of these trails would be closed in mid-June, but given the elevation of 5,400 feet, it takes a while for the snow to thaw.
Nevertheless, you can still see Reflection Lake and enjoy the stunning scenery from the parking lot.
Carter Falls Trailhead
On our visit to the visitor center, the park ranger suggested we explore this area since many of the attractions we intended to visit were unreachable due to snow. Although it's not a well-known spot in Paradise, I think it should be. The views were breathtaking!
At the Carter Falls trailhead, you can conveniently reach the Nisqually River. Take a short walk (just 5 minutes) across the wide, rocky braided riverbed to enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Rainier. This beautiful area is entirely covered with rocks of various sizes.
Proceeding further along this trail (we chose not to) will lead you to Carter Falls, a waterfall with a horsetail shape, standing approximately 50 feet high.
This location is ideal for a picnic or just unwinding by the river while taking in the view.
Because of its popularity, parking at this trailhead might be limited.
Trail of the Shadows
As we approached the park's exit, we paused at Longmire to enjoy our picnic lunch at the National Park Inn. Although the Inn has a restaurant, we chose to have snacks and drinks on the back porch, with a stunning view of Mount Rainier.
Trail of the Shadows is located just across the street. This self-guided interpretive trail in Longmire forms a loop around the Longmire Meadow.
Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park showcases nature's beauty in its most pristine state, inviting exploration, discovery, and a connection with the surrounding natural world. Whether you're looking for adventure, peace, or a moment of breathtaking beauty, this hidden gem offers something for everyone.
So, pack your sense of wonder and embark on a journey to paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. Uncover the hidden gems that await and create memories that will last a lifetime. The beauty of this natural paradise is yours to explore – are you ready to discover its secrets?
Join me next time for more adventures in nature's wonders. Happy exploring!
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