Active Pursuits

Summer Sports & Activities

Biking

No trails are open to mountain bikes in Mount Rainier National Park. However, there are plenty of trails to ride at nearby Crystal Mountain and White Pass ski areas during the summer. Crystal Mountain is by far the most popular and is known for its grueling climbs and brake-turning downhills. Luckily, you can avoid much of the climbing by riding the lifts up. The lifts generally operate only on weekends. A good gravel road for great biking is Westside Road, which you can reach through the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. It is completely closed to motorized vehicles after 3 miles. One of the best reasons to ride this road is the chance to get on some of the little-used west-side hiking trails (closed to bikes). Try strapping some hiking boots on your bike; this is a great way to get away from the crowds and see some of the rare, less crowded areas of the park. However, you might want to call ahead for information on the usage of Westside Road. Another option is Carbon River Road, closed to vehicles since the 2006, with 4.5 miles open to only bikes and pedestrians en route to the Ipsut Creek Campground and myriad trail heads.

Boating & Canoeing

Located in the northwest corner of the park, Mowich Lake is a pristine little lake with a peekaboo view of the mountain from its west side. The water is incredibly clear, and it's fun to paddle around gazing down into the deep at the large logs and boulders lying on the bottom. Early morning and late afternoon are particularly good times. You might catch a glimpse of an otter, and in the evening, deer often feed in the meadows by the lake's edge. A walk-in campground beside the lake makes this a great spot for a weekend camping and paddling trip. Yes, there are even a few fish in the lake, if you want to try your luck.

Fishing

The good news about fishing in Mount Rainier National Park is that no fishing license is required. The bad news is that the fishing isn't very good. However, there are some fish out there, and you're welcome to try to catch a few. Lots of people do. Remember that only artificial lures and flies can be used in the park, and some posted waters are closed to fishing. Ask for details.

For the most part, glacial silt keeps Mount Rainier's rivers too cloudy for fishing in the summer. The Ohanapecosh River is one exception. This river, in the southeast corner of the park, flows clear throughout the summer and is designated for fly-fishing only. Anglers are encouraged to release the trout they catch. Most of the park's many lakes are home to one or another species of trout. In most cases, you have to hike in to fish. Some shorter hikes include Sunrise Lake (below Sunrise Point) and Louise, Bench, and Snow lakes, east of Paradise off the road to the Stevens Canyon Entrance.

Horseback Riding

If you'd like to do some horseback riding, you have a few options in the area. In Elbe, you'll find EZ Times Outfitters, 18703 Wash. 706 (tel. 866/675-7700 or 253/350-1141; www.eztimeshorserides.com), which leads rides into the Elbe Hills State Forest. On the east side of the park, 19 miles east of Chinook Pass on Wash. 410, you'll find Chinook Pass Outfitter & Guides (tel. 800/726-3631 or 509/653-2633; www.chinookpass.com). East of White Pass on U.S. 12, you'll find Indian Creek Corral (tel. 509/672-2400; www.indiancreekcorral.com), near the shore of Rimrock Lake. Horse rides cost $25 to $45 an hour.

Mountaineering

Each year, more than 10,000 people set out to climb the 14,411-foot summit of Mount Rainier. That only slightly more than half make it to the top is a testament to how difficult the climb is. Although the ascent does not require rock-climbing skills, the glacier crossings require basic mountaineering knowledge, and the 9,000-foot climb from Paradise is physically demanding. Also, the elevation often causes altitude sickness. This is not a mountain to be attempted by the unprepared or the untrained; over the years, dozens of people have died attempting the summit. Because of the many difficulties presented by summit ascents at Mount Rainier, this mountain often serves as a training ground for expeditions headed to peaks all over the world.

The easiest and most popular route starts at Paradise, at 5,400 feet, and climbs to the stone climbers' shelter at 10,188-foot Camp Muir. From here, climbers, roped together for safety, set out in the middle of the night to reach Columbia Crest, the mountain's highest point at 14,411 feet. From the summit on a clear day, seemingly all of Washington and much of Oregon stretches below.

The best way for most of us to climb Mount Rainier is with somebody who knows what he or she is doing, and that means RMI Expeditions, P.O. Box Q, Ashford, WA 98304 (tel. 888/892-5462 or 360/569-2227; www.rmiguides.com); International Mountain Guides, P.O. Box 246, Ashford, WA 98304 (tel. 360/569-2609; www.mountainguides.com); and Alpine Ascents, 121 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109 (tel. 206/378-1927; www.alpineascents.com). Each offers a variety of mountaineering classes, as well as guided summer climbs. A class combined with the 2- or 3-day summit climb runs about $900 to $1,300.

Wildlife Viewing

Hunting is prohibited in Mount Rainier National Park; consequently, deer, elk, and mountain goats within the park have lost their fear of humans. Anyone hiking the park's trails in the summer can expect to encounter some of these large mammals. Deer are the most common, although the park's mountain goats seem to command the greatest interest. Look for goats on Goat Island Mountain across the White River valley from Sunrise (use binoculars) on the Summerland Trail, on Mount Fremont (5.5-mile round-trip hike from Sunrise), and at Skyscraper Pass (7-mile round-trip hike from Sunrise).

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 soaking up the sun. They often allow people to get fairly close, 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 (tel. 360/569-2411; www.guestservices.com). Skis, poles, and shoes will cost you about $20 per day.

West of the park, the Mount Tahoma Trails Association trail system maintains 50 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 (tel. 360/569-2451; www.skimtta.com), or stop by headquarters in Ashford, which is usually open on winter weekends. There are about 10 miles of trails at White Pass (tel. 509/672-3101; www.skiwhitepass.com), about 20 miles southeast of the park. There are also 32 downhill runs served by 5 lifts here.

Outside the northeast entrance of the park, downhill resort Crystal Mountain ski area (tel. 360/663-2265; www.skicrystal.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, 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 (tel. 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.