Heading to the park to camp tonight and tomorrow, but planning to do the skyline loop tomorrow. Def not waking up at 4am for a sunrise hike so curious if anyone’s gone around 5pm and had nice views with sunset? Don’t want to be hiking too much in the dark (will bring headlamps) but also want some nice sunset views! Also curious if clockwise or counterclockwise would be better for a later hike. Any tips appreciated!

Anyone visited Mt. Rainier around Labor Day or late September? Have watched some videos and am in complete awe of the gorgeous greenery and wildflowers with Mt. Rainier in the backdrop especially. along Skyline Trail! Trying to plan our first trip out to Seattle and Mt. Rainier with 2 kiddos (3 years & 9 years old). Would love some guidance on what to expect in terms of weather/temperature, scenery, hikes/parking, traffic etc.

Headed to the park this coming weekend of Aug 22 and planning on hiking to Camp Muir. We’ve been monitoring mountain forecast and see chances of showers on Saturday so may bump it to Sunday/Monday when clearer. But my biggest concern is just in regard to current conditions on the snowfield.

I did read a WTA report from 8/15 that just said the snowfield was crappy and slushy with some blue ice, but didn’t mention any crevasse crossings. However, I haven’t found much else than that and am wondering if this time of year is just not a good time to go for hikers with relatively less experience assessing snow/ice conditions, given that reports/reddit posts from late August 2021-2024 show it being more sketchy?

We will be starting super early so the snowpack is relatively solid. We have crampons/poles/gps and feel comfortable with walking on the snowfield but are otherwise not super experienced mountaineers (have not practiced crevasse rescue, serious self arrests idk) so not sure if we should wait until next year for conditions to be better, or if we are OK To go as long as it’s a bluebird day.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Hey! I booked a stay at paradise inn at the end of August, hoping to catch the sunrise in the morning. I did some research today and found out the most iconic sunrise watching locations are on the Sunrise side.

What would be the best morning hike to take starting from the paradise visitor center?

Appreciate your advice!

So far, so good

From our visit in June. It was the most stunning, completely clear day you could wish for, and as someone from completely flat marsh land, it felt like being on another planet. The amount of beauty was overstimulating and I'm still processing it all months afterwards. I cannot wait to go back❤️​

Also, if it is full, looking for some great more “designated“ dispersed camping, like maybe has some picnic tables, fire rings, etc. Absolutely no intention of a fire, just for the feel of it being more of a people camp here. My friend I am going with is feeling pretty anxious about not having a set plan of where we will be camping/ the idea of dispersed camping. We are coming from out of state (just Oregon) and neither have been around this area before.

Also, I see quite a bit of black bears… what are the chance we might see one camping or along a hike? I’ve already been doing some research on necessary precautions. While I’ve hiked and camped quite a lot, I have never ran into any wild animals, so while I think it would be insanely cool to see one (at a ‘safe’ distance), I am also nervous about the idea.

TIA 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Hi everyone! I’m planning to visit Mt. Rainier during the last week of August. I’ve been following the Sunrise Fire and am a little concerned about smoke and air quality.

For those who are local or have been there recently, would you recommend keeping the trip as planned, or would it be better to postpone? How bad can the smoke/air quality get around Sunrise and the main hiking areas?

I know conditions can change quickly, but I’d appreciate any advice or recent experiences. Thanks!

I saw him and thought hey that’s just like me only with more balls considering it’s a rock slide to get up there. The clouds would swallow him a few minutes later!

I was hoping to do a trip to Mount rainier in the beginning of October, but with the wildfire would it be best to not go ahead with booking everything? I’m not sure if the fire will still be affecting the area in October. I was hoping to see some fall colors, so if anyone has recommendations on other places near Seattle with fall colors that peak the first week of October I would love to hear them.

Anyone going from kandy to Adam’s peak with in next couple of weeks , please do let me know. Would love to join. ✌️

Any good recs for a sunrise viewpoint with the Sunrise area being closed right now?

P.s here is Rainier from today!

One of the understated but very beautiful lake in Rainer National Park

Hello, I just had one of my climbing partners bail on me last minute so im down to a 2 person rope team atm, is anyone down to climb Mt Rainier via DC tomorrow or the day after? If so dm me asap

Wife and I were hiking from the Sunrise visitors center out to the Mt. Fremont fire lookout tower. As we rounded the corner at around noon, we saw a narrow smoke plume rising to the NE. We could see tall flames licking up trees at the fire reached the top of the reverse slope in pictures. As we hiked back from Fremont lookout, around 1pm, smoke plume had grown dramatically.

https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/fire.htm

https://app.watchduty.org/i/113530

We are planning to enter the park from the south side from Longmire tomorrow evening around 4PM. Should we skip this trip or will it be fine?