Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [285]
Undoubtedly, the most seen mammals in the park are marmots, which resemble beavers but have round tails and live in the subalpine meadows. These big, shaggy members of the squirrel family are frequently seen lying on rocks and soaking up the sun. They often allow people to approach quite closely, but when alarmed, they let loose with a shrill whistle.
Wild animals are fun to see, but they are wild. For both their safety and yours, keep your distance.
Winter Sports & Activities
Cross-Country Skiing. There are several ungroomed cross-country trails around the Paradise and Longmire areas. Perhaps equally satisfying in winter is the absence of crowds and cars that haunt these regions during the summer months. Peace and quiet abound when snow covers the landscape, although there is often a threat of avalanches (check at the Jackson Visitor Center or Paradise Ranger Station). The slopes above the Paradise Inn usually stay covered with snow well into June. You can rent cross-country skis at Longmire at the National Park Inn (☎ 360/569-2411; www.guestservices.com/rainier). Skis, poles, and shoes will cost you about $18 per day.
West of the park, the Mount Tahoma Trails Association trail system maintains almost 90 miles of easy to difficult trails, which are accessible from Ashford (follow signs to the snow parks). For information, maps, or hut reservations, contact the Mount Tahoma Trails Association, P.O. Box 206, Ashford, WA 98304 (☎ 360/569-2451; www.skimtta.com), or stop by headquarters in Ashford, which is usually open on winter weekends.
There are 10 miles of trails at White Pass (☎ 509/672-3101; www.skiwhite pass.com for a snow report), about 20 miles southeast of the park.
Outside the northeast entrance of the park, Crystal Mountain ski area (☎ 360/663-2265; www.crystalmt.com) offers good backcountry skiing, though there are no maintained trails. Only experienced skiers should attempt backcountry skiing here due to the difficult conditions and danger of avalanches.
Snowmobiling. Snowmobiles are permitted on designated roadways only, and only when snow closes the roadways to normal traffic. Do not attempt to travel cross-country on trails or on undesignated roads. Obtain a copy of the park's snowmobile regulations.
Snowshoeing. If you've never tried snowshoeing and want to, visit Mount Rainier National Park when free, ranger-led snowshoe walks lasting about 90 minutes are offered, on winter weekends and holidays from late December to early April. Snowshoes are available for rent for $1. For more information, call the Longmire Museum (☎ 360/ 569-2211, ext. 3314).
One of the better snowshoeing options in the park is the marked route from the Paradise parking lot behind the Jackson Visitor Center to the Nisqually Glacier Overlook. The Nisqually Vista Trail is only 1.25 miles long and twists and turns as it meanders up and down hills. At the turnaround, you have a great view of the glacier and the rest of the mountain, but don't get too close to the edge!
Lower down on the mountain, at Longmire, snowshoers can make a 4.6-mile loop up Rampart Ridge. This steep trail requires some route finding and the snow level is not always reliable, but if conditions are right, it makes for an enjoyable and rigorous hike. Another good snowshoeing trail in this same area is the trail to Carter Falls, which starts above Longmire just before the
Cougar Rock Campground. This 2.2-mile round-trip trail follows a section of the Wonderland Trail. It's all uphill to Carter Falls, and it crosses several avalanche chutes.
Camping
Mount Rainier has more than 500 campsites in five drive-in campgrounds. None of the campgrounds in the park have RV utility hookups, nor are there laundry or shower facilities.
You should definitely make reservations at Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh