Mount Rainier National Park

Seeing the array of national park placards pop up on my website fills my heart with gratitude and bliss. Just like a couture arrangement in a designer store. Whenever I log into this website, a Netflix series of Bridgeton or Virgin Rivers or Heartland, reels in my eyes over and over again. A trip book to talk thru generations and generations...isn't it? Makes one live 100 years in one day and probably one day in those 100 years.

Covering the Port Townsend in Seattle and Mount Rainier, I felt there is always an angle to life that is truly yours. Away from all influences, abstained from heredity and secluded from legacy. A perspective that only you can bring into this existence that is called YOURS!!. When we headed towards paradise, we were surrounded by people as we were amidst of the happening holiday destinations. However, the beauty remained in our individualistic set of eyes which will always be cherished by us as as a family.

Ascending to approx. 14k feet above sea level, stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers.

Mount Rainier is also known as Tahoma, and is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific North West in the United Sates

Besides the geographical value that this destination brings to the US residents, it added color to simple pleasures of domestic vacation spots. Mount Rainier National Park truly aced in homely experience for our family.

The First Point Vista

Entering the park was so exciting for us that we now needed to halt and absorb the first glimpse of the Mount Rainier peak and when we did that, we couldn't be more happier in our lives.

The rock formed in the form of the stepping tool actually encouraged us taking excellent pictures in all possible human poses with the back ground view of the first vista at the entrance. Inspite of the fact that the next two days would bring in lot more such views, but who can stop a kid's heart grabbing all the candies.

Bench and Snow Lake Trail

So geared up to the next stop and it was the Bench and Snow Lake Trail, we were prepared for the 2.5 mile round trip trail hike, at an elevation of the 700 ft.

We got a head start with the breathtaking view of the Tatoosh Mountain Range. Suhana, as usual was the trail blazer!

Stunning view of the wildflowers in the meadow

Someone once asked me what is the motivation for these long haul trails, its needless to say that its purely nature and how we simply are one minuscule of the grand existence

The Bench lake is so named because of the flat area around the lake called the Bench.

Huddling together for pics to be taken for our lives.

This halt on the way to the snow lake was a power stop that filled us with much energy for the rest of the remaining hike. The highs and lows on this hike truly tested your iron levels in the blood stream

The trail is a succession of gradual ups and downs & it crosses a series of low ridges. The path first reaches Bench Lake after 0.75 miles and then continue another 0.5 mile to the snow lake .

Did you know these lakes do not melt out until late July and the trail can be muddy until then

The Snow lake may have been named because of the cirque in which it lies by the icy meltwater from the snowfields of the Tatoosh Range because snow often rings the lake until late summer.

One of my favorites down the memory lane...

Many stay at the Snow lake wilderness campsites...I guess this family is not interested in that, a day will come when we unanimously will agree to do a campsite. We finished the entire trial in 2.5 hours. That's commendable!

Inspiration Point

Just the east of the Paradise valley road on Stevens Canyon Road, the large pullout offers spectacular views of the Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range. Wonder that inspired us to step into a Yoga pose for our pictutes :)

Narada Falls

We picked the southwest entrance of the Mount Rainier National Park and Narada Falls is located approximately 17 miles east of the park's southwest entrance with Paradise one mile to the northeast. At only 150 feet fro the road to Paradise, Narada Falls is the largest waterfall accessible by car in the park. Impressive and the one with the full Rainbow view...what a cliche, yet gorgeous to view. .

The misty waterfall was nostalgic to remember as one of its kind with a package in full. Short hike, rainbow galore and mist to freshen you up from that heat.

At the end of the short trail the entire 168 foot high waterfall is visible the vista is not only about the dramatically falling water but also the rock that creates the steep drop

Paradise

Mount Rainier National Park is substantial in size but congested during the peak season of the year. Escaping the crowd can truly be challenging here. For us, lodging was planned at Paradise. A place to stay amongst the snowy peaks and on the south side of the park. Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower, subalpine meadows, the Jackson Visitor Center, the Historic Paradise Inn, and epic mountain views.

The historic Paradise Inn is a concessioner operated hotel that offers lodging, a dining room and a gift shop. I enjoyed every nook and corner of the Inn, whether it was the Coffee & Bakery Corner giving away morning refillable coffee mugs with croissant, or if it was the restaurant offering the three course luxurious meal menus, or that family entertainment area where I could play piano, sit in the lounge area toasting red wines to us. Or if it was the soveniour shop with excellent shot glasses of mount rainier moment embossed on them.

The interior had its historic charm and vintage vibe to enjoy.

Log pillars and leather studded lounge chairs were classic allure.

Might as well drink our reds and whites away from those bottles. Cheers to the successful planning and pleasure.

Dinner Hall. Cannot forget the Tandoori Cauliflower with sprouted beans and more...

Early morning coffee, clad woolen, sitting on the side porch of the Inn by the coffee shop overlooking snow peaked mountains was the most rejuvenating experience this summer.

Paradise Valley Road

We never miss a beat on hiking, headed to the paradise valley road early next morning, a one way road to through a beautiful meadow filled valley. Paradise is located at an elevation of ~5.4k feet and trails maybe steep and strenuous. Snow tends to linger on trails well into June July. Hence we did mostly the paved trails around paradise.

The prettiest flower of the meadow. We often try to benchmark ourselves, our style, our activities and our behavior with the standard publicly accepted and appreciated. We all aspire to be one of the best, nonetheless we all exist in our own shell so well suited for ourselves. Excel within and live up the world around you. You deserve to be yourself ! And that's enough in one lifetime.

Reflection Lake

We tried twice, however the clouds did not really do justice to us. Drove 3 miles east of the Paradise on the Sevens Canyon Road for a possible glimpse of the Mount Rainier reflection in these subalpine lakes. Atleast we got a captcha, heard other travelers staying put for continuous 5 days just to grab the reflection truly 100% . Now that's called dedication...peeps!

Nisqually Vista Trail

A 1.2 mile trails with vies oof the Nisqually glacier was better suited for families like us. I certainly felt I needed hiking stick to hook into the ice collected on the paved trail

Do not ignore the Nisqually river flowing through, melted glacier water at its best.

Yes, she led this one too....:)

Skyline Trail to the Myrtle falls.

We did the 1mile hike to the Myrtle Falls the next day, trails all paved, with an excellent view of the Mount Rainier subalpine meadows and wildlife.

Cannot forget the stop by the rangers only to ask about our Mount Rainier T-Shirts. Such a funny moment indeed. We planned to wear the family T-shirts on one off t eMout nRainier trails and we did it here on the trail to the myrtle falls. Truly appreciated by the other walkers and some of them stoped unto ask where we bought it from? lol..

We of course did not cover the entire 5.5 miles trail but were pretty settled with the view of the myrtle falls flowing in the foreground of the Mouton Rainier peak

72 foot high Myrtle Falls view with Mount Rainier in the background gives a picturesque setting and is known as the most photographed areas of the park and as a bonus its uneasy hike to the falls from the Paradise Inn

Here the Falls tops down a deep gorge carved out the Edith Creek on her wild journey to the paradise valley

This is where we ended our excursion to the beautiful Mount Rainier!

You leaving tomorrow? Yes we were ready to head towards San Juan Islands...

We all are so swamped in our busy lives that we often tend to breathe healthy and luxuriously. Take a moment to prioritize nature above your wants. Trust me, the needs are often met along the way! Hope you enjoyed the trip.

Until we meet again, adios and stay safe!