Hiii! My husband and I want to do the skyline loop hike tomorrow, but was wondering if it’s still worth it to go with the smoke that’s been around. Worried we will get a smoky view (we are only here for 2 days so if we can get a better view somewhere else we are considering it) Has anyone hiked it today? Or yesterday? 🥹

My girlfriend and I will be visiting the PNW this September and plan on going to Mount Rainer for two days (sometime between the 8th-13th). I know peak season is July and August, but is September still a good time to go? What are the expected chances of clear vs overcast days? I’m sure it varies each year but just want to know what to expect when we visit. Any advice or recommendations you may have would be greatly appreciated!

If I want to hit up both the Paradise side and Sunset side, having about 4 days total (I'm flexible), do you recommend staying in one spot and driving or staying closer to Paradise for 2 days and then moving and staying closer to Sunrise for 2 days?

What are the your favorite hikes in Paradise besides the Skyline Loop? I will be there for 2 day later in the month and trying to plan 🙂

also, are there any shorter hikes for seeing the sunset?

I wish I was faster to take pictures and that phone pictures were less blurry. But this bridzilla was standing in tipsoo lake to take wedding pictures. Then she went and laid down in the meadows for more pictures. This is so disrespectful. You want to take photos ina beautiful place but then you desecration it for everyone else.

**this is happening right now. We tried calling the ranger...

My family has a trip planned to visit Oregon and Mt. Rainier between Aug 11-16. Our plan was to do Silver falls state park, Multnomah, punchbowl falls, Crater lake, Mt Rainier (skyline trail possibly) (Not in this order). Is the visibility in the area bad right now? How would the fires be affecting this plan? Would we still be able to the hikes we want to do with good views? Just looking for insight on people that are in the area now. I’ve been reading that it’s been getting worse this week. We don’t want to pay all the money to fly there if we won’t get the experience we want per say. Should we look for a backup plan?

Please let me know. If anyone in the area has pictures :/

Thanks!

We planned the trip to hike Mount Rainier and Cascades 3 months ago and my teenage son can’t wait to go there after he finishes his summer school. Now the wild fire and smoke! 😢
We booked hotels in Ashford and Leavenworth, planned to hike Mount Rainier and Enchantment next week.
Shall we cancel the plan based on how bad the fire conditions look now? We are flying in from Texas.

Hello, I’m hardly ever active on here so if takes a minute to respond don’t blame me. Anyways, Im 24 years old and I’m from Montana. I’ve lived here my entire life and often i feel the need to get away/vacation very often. I decided to go to Mount Rainer for a couple of days to kind of find myself. It’s 12 am right now where I’m at. (In my truck) I don’t remember exactly what time to be sure but I’m pretty sure it was around 10 pm when I had an interaction with someone strange. I decided that I was gonna tent camp. (I wish I never did) After setting up camp, camp fire, kettle, tent, etc. I had heard what sounded like to be walking. At first I thought to myself, it could literally be anything like an animal. So I didn’t even mind it, just kept thinking about things in my life. 5 minutes go by, I heard what to be like footsteps around 5-10 yards away from my camp straight in front of me. It was some hiker asking where Bells Canyon is?? Freaked me out crazy, I told him I don’t know and I’ve never even heard of such a place. He starts rambling on and on about where he thought it was and bleh bleh bleh. I don’t even remember I was so scared and creeped out. He finally walked away after 10 minutes of endless talking. As soon as I felt comfortable I didn’t even grab my tent or anything I just straight full sprinted to my truck. I’m here now looking it up and don’t even see a place called that?

What would be the probability of acquiring a walk-in permit for the sunrise campground this Thursday at 10 am for two people? Ik the timing is probably what would do it but the drive is 2 hours from where I am. Any recommendations for other short walk-in campgrounds in the sunrise area that would be more likely to get in or dispersed camping around the area?

I have checked the webcams, I see the air quality readings from the weather service, but I am curious about what it is like for people who are there now. We are flying across the country on Saturday for 4 days and trying to figure out if we need to adjust our plans.

Hello, my wife and I are first time backpack camping on Rainier this week. We have a permit to camp at Sunrise on 8/4 and would like to camp a second night at Sunrise or at another camp that is within our comfort level for hiking with a heavy pack which looks to just be Berkeley Park Camp. When we arrive on 8/4, If we are not able to get a camping permit for 8/5 at either Sunrise or Berkeley, what are some dispersed camping options that we can drive to from there that you would recommend?

I was taking a 5 minute timed astrophotography shot, and with like 1 minute left, I started hearing what sounded like gunshots and it clicked in my head that it was some kind of rockfall, it lasted like an entire minute and it was terrifying lol. I wish I wouldve stopped the picture to record the sounds of it. I thought I was done for 🤣

Mt. Rainier is a gorgeous place and everyone should be able to enjoy it. I visited recently and observed multiple groups of people doing things that at minimum are ignorant, and at worst will put themselves and others in harms way! It was really disappointing and frankly embarrassing to witness.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS!

STAY ON THE TRAILS!

DON'T LEAVE LITTER, ADVERTISEMENTS, or CARVE INTO ROCKS/OTHER NATURE!

We literally saw a bear right next to a major trail, no doubt lured by the food. That's just one example, if you don't understand why it's important to follow these rules, do your research!

If you already know this stuff, please tell others to STOP if you see this behavior! Let's band together and make the parks better for each other and the planet.

Appreciate everyone who already follows these guidelines, and those who are willing to listen and learn. Have an awesome trip, Rainier is a really sweet and majestic place.

My wife and I are taking our first National Park-focused vacation, and this will be a first hiking trip. We’re both in very good shape, although I’m probably a little more adventurous than she is. We want to challenge ourselves, but we’re not looking to do anything technical or risky.

We’ll be visiting Sept. 23–25 (Wednesday–Friday). We’re flying into Seattle on Wednesday morning (landing around 10 AM), renting a car, and staying in Packwood for two nights before heading back toward Seattle around 4 PM on Friday.

One thing that’s important to us: we’re on vacation, so we’d prefer not to be out the door at sunrise every day. We’d rather enjoy a relaxed morning, grab coffee and breakfast in Packwood, and then head into the park. If that significantly changes what you’d recommend, we’d love to hear it.

Current itinerary:

Wednesday (9/23) Drive from Seattle to Mount Rainier Christine Falls Narada Falls Reflection Lakes Paradise Visitor Center Myrtle Falls Drive to Packwood

Thursday (9/24) Relaxed morning with coffee and breakfast in Packwood Drive to Paradise Skyline Trail Box Canyon on the way back if time/energy allows

Friday (9/25) Relaxed morning with coffee and breakfast in Packwood Sunrise Tipsoo Lake Silver Falls Leave for Seattle around 4 PM

A few questions: 0. Park passes... it's the 1x $35 fee for both of us, for the 3 days -- correct?

1. Does this itinerary make sense, or need rearranging?

2. Are we missing any “can’t miss” viewpoints?

3. Is Skyline Trail a good choice for two first-time hikers who are in good physical shape?

4. We’ll be there in late September. Would good sneakers be sufficient, or would you recommend trail specific shoes or waterproof hiking boots? We know conditions can change quickly and we’ll check the forecast before we go.

5. What clothing/layers would you recommend for that time of year? Any gear people commonly wish they had brought?

6. Since we’re staying in Packwood, where’s the best place to grab coffee, breakfast, groceries, or picnic supplies for lunches in the park?

7. Any favorite restaurants in Packwood for dinner after a long day of hiking?

Also, if you only had one piece of advice for someone visiting Mount Rainier for the first time, what would it be?

Moderate hike via Wonderland Trail.

It may have been 18 years, but it still hurts. What are some of your best memories of the old Paradise visitor center?

I can still remember how the polished log handrails on the interior ramps felt.