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Archive 2013 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

uintaangler
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

I'm planning three days in Mt Rainier National Park in early August and would like to ask for some help with planning the trip....

What is the best town to stay in for easy access to the best photo spots? Ashford, Packwood
I would appreciate a few suggestions for good sunset locations?
Sunrises?

Thanks,
Bob

Jul 14, 2013 at 05:59 PM

stanparker
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

I have stayed at several locations all around Rainier, but my upcoming visit I will stay in Packwood for convenience.

Sunrise/sunset depends on whether you intend to aim at the sunrise/sunset itself or at the other side where reflected light may be found in the clouds. I like Reflection Lakes at least once for sunrise and sunset. The best reflection is with early light, but a brilliant sky over the mountain can be shot there, too. (Also other places, such as Chinook Pass.) Lots of places along Stevens Canyon Rd might be good for sunsets, depending on where the clouds are. Anywhere on the SE side of the mountain could also be good for sunsets.

Jul 14, 2013 at 08:16 PM

DonH
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Packwood, although a bit of distance from the park, would be a good central location that would also allow you to visit the Windy Ridge side of Mt. St. Helens, a place that I recommend. From Packwood you can drive up Hwy 12 to Hwy 123 for access to Rainier or, from Packwood, there is an excellent paved backroad that will take you to hwy 706 just outside the Nisqually entrance to the park.

For sunrise shots I would recommend Sunrise, Chinook Pass, and Reflection Lakes. The first 2 are to the east of Rainier so you will get the mountain bathed in first light. The latter is really only a good sunrise shot as the breeze later in the day will destroy the reflection.

Early August should also be a prime time for wildflowers. For them, hike the trails in the Paradise area. Mazama Ridge is a favorite location.

Enjoy.

Jul 15, 2013 at 10:47 AM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

uintaangler wrote:
I'm planning three days in Mt Rainier National Park in early August and would like to ask for some help with planning the trip....

What is the best town to stay in for easy access to the best photo spots? Ashford, Packwood
I would appreciate a few suggestions for good sunset locations?
Sunrises?

Thanks,
Bob

To be honest, best photo spots aren't super easy to get to. Sure there is reflection lake, tipsoo, paradise meadows, Sunrise Park, but it will be an absolute nightmare, especially when the flowers start to peak.

There are some spectacular areas, but you will need to be willing to work for them. Spray Park, Seattle Park are some of the best spots in the park. Also Berkley Park is quite spectacular. All are not too hard of hikes (maybe 8-10 miles RT), but the altitude makes it a bit harder

.

There is a book on the Wonderland Trail (Hiking the Wonderland Trail) that is in color, and you can get to some of those places without hiking the whole 95 miles.

WTA is also a great resource for info

Jul 15, 2013 at 12:52 PM

Justan
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Check out Crystal Mountain Ski resort. They are located next to the NE entrance to the park. They have a tram that can take you to a peak of about 7,000 feet of elevation and provide you with some outstanding and unobstructed views of Mt Rainier, and everything else. If you want sunset views of Rainier, nowhere else comes close.

On the East side of Mt Rainier, the key visitor spots are known as Sunrise and Paradise.

Paradise has a great lodge and offers fabulous hikes but is often booked, and there are overwhelming numbers of people. It's on the SE side of Rainier
http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/paradise.htm

Sunrise is a good visit and offers a lot of great hikes. It's on the NE side of Rainier and is one of my favorite areas to explore.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/sunrise.htm

There are locations at Crystal to stay and others nearby
http://crystalmountainresort.com/

http://www.crystalhotels.com/

You can also often find rental houses in the Greenwater area, which is about 20 minutes north of Mt Rainier National Park.

I live in the area, so let me know if you'd like more info.

Jul 15, 2013 at 01:54 PM

BryanSwan
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

uintaangler wrote:
I'm planning three days in Mt Rainier National Park in early August and would like to ask for some help with planning the trip....

What is the best town to stay in for easy access to the best photo spots? Ashford, Packwood
I would appreciate a few suggestions for good sunset locations?
Sunrises?

Thanks,
Bob

1. In terms of distance, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Packwood has more lodging options and is closer to Sunrise and Chinook Pass, Ashford is closer to Paradise. Also keep in mind there is active road construction along the Stevens Canyon Road all through the summer, so there may be delays during the week (not sure how early they start working).

2. Sunsets in August are best on the northwest and west sides of the mountain - all areas of which are pretty deep in the backcountry, Spray Park is the easiest area to get to. You won't see any direct sunset glow on the mountain shooting from Paradise, Chinook Pass or Sunrise. However, if you happen to get good clouds (not exactly a common occurrence in the height of summer), then Paradise, Reflection Lakes, Bench Lake provide you with the best results for the least amount of effort. If you want to find something more unique, try Van Trump Park or Indian Henry's Hunting Ground - both of which require substantial hikes (but both can be done in a day - you would be hiking out in the dark though).

3. The south side of the mountain is much better for sunrises in August, but still not quite optimum. Reflection Lakes, the east side of Paradise, and Bench Lake are all good. Chinook Pass will give you better, more direct light on the mountain, but the options are a bit more limited unless you hike up the mountain(s) a bit. Likewise Sunrise and Sunrise Point will provide good results in the morning, but there aren't quite as many variations in compositions. At both Chinook Pass and Sunrise you may have to deal with the road being visible.

Jul 15, 2013 at 02:15 PM

uintaangler
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Wow!
Great stuff
Thanks to all

Jul 15, 2013 at 03:52 PM

DonH
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

... and Sunrise you may have to deal with the road being visible.

Yes, unless you hike toward the mountain from the parking lot to find your comp.

If you're considering going to Sunrise, you might also investigate Suntop Lookout. At 5280' you can drive to it (if the gate is open at the top). If the gate is closed it is only a 1/2 mile hike.

Edited on Jul 16, 2013 at 10:22 AM · View previous versions

Jul 15, 2013 at 08:18 PM

uintaangler
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Guys, would your advice change very much if the trip gets postponed until mid-September?

Jul 16, 2013 at 09:18 AM

DonH
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Guys, would your advice change very much if the trip gets postponed until mid-September?

Other than you'll miss the wildflowers, no.

Jul 16, 2013 at 10:21 AM

StarNut
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

I would camp, but that's me.

If you stay in Packwood, be careful where you stay. They have lots of hotels there, but many (most) are pretty ratty. The Cowlitz River Lodge is the best; Crest Trail Lodge is ok.

Jul 16, 2013 at 10:28 AM

BryanSwan
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

uintaangler wrote:
Guys, would your advice change very much if the trip gets postponed until mid-September?

Not really. You'll start to get a smidgen of direct sunlight on the southwest flank of the mountain at sunset in mid September, but not much - you have to get into early to mid October before the south side sees any sort of notable light (example - this was taken October 10).

Jul 16, 2013 at 06:34 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Are you going to just be hotelling it the whole time?

Jul 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

uintaangler
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Mt Rainier NP Advice, please

Dustin, more likely try to rent a small home through one of the online sites like VRBO

Jul 17, 2013 at 07:28 AM


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