Experiencing Mount Rainier

Standing at 14,410 feet tall, Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. It is beautiful to see — especially on a clear day.

Below I will discuss what to do at Mount Rainier National park to make sure you experience it to the fullest.

Myrtle Falls

To get here you will park at the Paradise parking area. Then you walk about a half mile along the Skyline Trail. The trail is flat and paved, however, there is a small, steep stairway that leads to the viewpoint of the falls. The waterfall is 60ft tall and you can see Mount Rainier directly behind it.

When you’re done soaking in the view you can continue on for a longer hike or turn back to the parking lot.

Skyline Trail

This trail is absolutely gorgeous, but relatively difficult. It is paved but it is not flat; you are going around/up the mountain. It’s about 5.5 miles and is a loop trail.

To get here you will park at the Paradise parking area. Myrtle Falls is along this trail, so if you choose to do it then you’re already here. My family and I wanted to go to Panorama Point Overlook after Myrtle Falls. There are two ways to get to the Panorama Point Overlook: Skyline Trail and Golden Gate Trail.

We chose to take Skyline Trail; the longer way to Panorama Point. If you choose to do this make sure you bring plenty of water with you — especially if it is hot out. Also, there isn’t much shade on the trail so if it’s sunny wear sunscreen. I was here in late August and it was hot and sunny. I packed sunscreen but forgot to put it on and left it in my hotel room. I got the worst sunburn of my life.

Unfortunately, we did not make it to Panorama Point. We underestimated the amount of water we needed and didn’t take enough. We turned back about halfway through the Skyline Trail. Don’t get me wrong though, the views were beautiful and I’m very happy we did it.

However, I wish we had chosen the Golden Gate Trail. I believe we would have made it to Panorama Point if we would have taken it. It’s a straight shot up and doesn’t go all the way around the mountain like the Skyline Trail.

Reflection Lake

If this isn’t on a list of what to do at Mount Rainier, then close it out because it’s a bad list. Haha! The Reflection Lake is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

There are multiple trails around the lakes, however, in the summer you can drive to it. It is located along Stevens Canyon Road. The road is open June-September and there is a parking lot right off the side of the road. Walk down a very short distance and you’re there! No hiking involved, which is nice if you’ve been on the trails all day.

Carter Falls

My family and I were told by a park ranger that Carter Falls was an easy, flat trail. That’s not true.

To me, the trail was difficult. Granted I had done half the Skyline trail and Myrtle Falls that day, but still. If you do this trail first or you’re a more experienced hiker, it shouldn’t be too hard. It is 2.8 miles roundtrip and leads to a 58ft waterfall.

Park at the Cougar Rock Picnic Area to start the trail. The trail immediately goes down into a gorge and you have to cross a log bridge over a river. After that it is your typical forest trail until you reach the fall.

The fall was beautiful, but, in my opinion, the gorge was prettier. Maybe I was just so tired from hiking all day? I don’t know. Lol. Even if you don’t do this whole trail, you should stop and go down into the gorge and look around — it’s gorgeous!