If you love wild flowers, go to Berkeley Park now!
To get there – Continue reading “Berkeley Park”
Tag: Mt. Rainier
Hiking: Autumn in Mt. Rainier
People come to Mt. Rainier, in the summer for its myriad displays of wild flowers; in the winter for its endless opportunities of winter sports.
But on a beautiful sunny day in the autumn…
The view could be equally astonishing.
Hiking: Glacier Basin
Glacier Basin is a scenic hiking trail in the Mt Rainier National Park Sunrise Area.
It offers a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier and Emmons Glacier.
The trail is in excellent condition (Thanks to WTA volunteers). It is relatively flat and shaded most of the the way to the top. Continue reading “Hiking: Glacier Basin”
Crystal Lakes
Crystal Lakes Trail, in the Mount Rainier area, is a beautiful day hike best enjoyed in late spring (June) or early fall (October). With 2600 feet elevation gain in merely 3 miles, it may seem challenging, but the trail is very well maintained with mostly dirt path, and shaded most of the way to the top.
Unless you are camping overnight, no pass or permit is required.
The only caveat is finding the trailhead. It is on the east side of Highway 410. While there are no signs visible from the road, parking is available on both sides of Highway 410. WTA website has a good description of how to get there.
Even if you drive past the trailhead, this view of Mt. Rainier, with rushing rapids of the White River snaking through verdant valley, is worth checking out.
Back to the trailhead, start the hike by crossing Crystal Creek on a rustic log bridge. Continue reading “Crystal Lakes”
Winter in Mt. Rainier
There are three national parks in the state of Washington: Olympic, Mt. Rainier and North Cascade. Of the three, Mt. Rainier is the most popular among visitors. The best time to visit Mt. Rainier is summer, when days are long and wild flowers flourish the meadows in Sunrise and Paradise. Autumn can also be beautiful with colorful foliage, cool temperature and less visitors. Winter may be cold and harsh at Mt. Rainier National Park, but abundant snowfall creates spectacular scenery making it a popular place to enjoy winter activities.
Below are some tips I gathered from my visits this time of the year. Hopefully it will be helpful to other visitors.
Tip #1: Unless you arrive very early, avoid visiting the park on a fee-free day, or on the first sunny weekend after a long period of rain/snow. This is what you get, if you do:
Tip #2: Always check the weather forecast and follow the park’s twitter feed for road closures. For instance, the gate to Paradise is closed today due to avalanche danger. If you were planning to head to Paradise for any snow activities, you may be disappointed.
Tip #3: Dress for the weather. And don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Continue reading “Winter in Mt. Rainier”
Recipe: Caramelized Apple Tart – Quick Puff Pastry
After an unusual dry summer, fall colors arrived earlier this year. Last Sunday my friend and I went to Mount Rainier National Park. This is the first time I saw my favorite park dusted with these colors so vibrant and in such magnitude. The wild flowers in the summer simply CANNOT compare. Continue reading “Recipe: Caramelized Apple Tart – Quick Puff Pastry”
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