The next park we visited after N. Cascades NP was Mt. Rainier. One of my projects this year is creating Shutterfly photo books for past and current road trips, which takes up more of my time. However, it is such an enjoyable hobby as I relive previous adventures.
Mt. Rainier was a beauty and welcomed us with amazing sunshine and mostly blue skies! Our lodging was at Paradise Inn. Located in Paradise, at the top of the road where the lodge was, we enjoyed exploring the area and taking snow photos. It was good we took advantage, because the next morning it was cloudy and foggy! And that was the end of our sunny Mt. Rainier ☹️
We were there early in the season, which was good for crowd control. However, all of the hiking trails around the lodge were covered in snow! We did not have snow gear so our exploring was limited, but exciting.
We were there two nights, so the next day we ventured down the mountain a ways and found several sites to visit and did some easy hiking. Because of all the snow melting, some areas were wet and slippery. We took great care as we had many days left on our trip and didn’t need any injuries to slow us down!
Mt. Rainer was beautiful. From the outdoor activities (even with the restrictions), to the food, the cozy lodge and beautiful (but very small) hotel room we had a fabulous time!
Below: Reflections Lakes on our way up. Thank goodness we stopped while we had sun!
View looking away from the lodge:
The lodge:
Back side of Paradise Inn and the lodge:
Our room was very small. We notice that in older rustic buildings. But it was so nice being in the middle of the activity. The area was called Paradise, where the Visitor’s Center, the Inn, the Ranger’s Station, and the skiing were all located.
What my husband initially thought was a squirrel, was a Hoary Marmot. We later learned there are several species of marmots! Crater Lake NP and Olympic NP also have their own marmots. He was so cute ❣️
A massive dining room! Again, there are benefits when visiting early in the season. No waiting!
The next day we headed out into the clouds and fog.
Below, Reflections Lakes:
Nisqually River:
Christine Falls:
Narada Falls below. This one I had to hike down to get this view. It was muddy with a small stream of water running down the trail. Then at the bottom the air was filled with mist from the falls. But I survived!
Another marmot!
One of my foggy trees photos:
peace of life today 
It’s beautiful, and nice that you did not have a huge crowd.
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Thank you! …and I agree!
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Thanks for the recap and the fab photos!
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You’re welcome, Terry 😊 …and Thank You!
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Gorgeous!!!!!
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Thank you! We were so glad we got one sunny day!
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It was a beautiful day too. 🙂
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It looks so lovely there. the photos are great introduction to the area.
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Thank you Ritva! 😊
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Interestingly, although we visited in the summer we had a similar experience to you – a lovely sunny day for our arrival in Paradise, then waking up to fog the next morning! But unlike you we’d entered the park from the west so didn’t pass Reflection Lake and missed out on seeing that beautiful view. I really enjoyed all your photos but especially that one as it was great to see what we missed 🙂
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I’m happy to share! We must have left on the other exit as we were heading west to Olympic. I would have been broken hearted not to have actually seen the mountain! I am full of gratitude for our welcome sunny day!
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Gorgeous!
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Thank you kewtiebird!! 😊
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It is a great place. I like it too! Thanks for sharing. If you’ve never taken it, the hike up the mountain from the lodge is beautiful, especially when the flowers are in bloom. There is a great overlook that lets you view several peaks in the distance.
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Thank you! Boy, I sure wish we could have hiked around the lodge. Every path was covered with feet of snow. There were people hiking on the snow, but we didn’t have the gear to do it, and quite frankly wanted to be careful not to slip or fall! Just so grateful we had one sunny day to actually see the mountain!
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