Not-So-Rainy Rainier

Today started with a short mile run outside of our hotel, some research on the coming days, and breakfast at the TownePlace Suites. After trying several times to submit a backcountry permit, find potential hikes, and get in touch with a ranger, we were finally able to talk to one who gave us some advice. We still did not have a backcountry permit, so we left to head north figuring we would be most productive if in person.

Just outside of the Park we went to the Base Camp Bar and Grill for lunch. Once we arrived at Mount Rainier, we went to the Longmire area. We hoped that, although the Wilderness Information Center would be closed, there may be someone inside who would help us out. I knocked on the door of the Center since I saw park rangers inside. One came to the door and said that requests for permits had to be filed 7 days in advance. After a short conversation she offered to issue us a permit for hiking and staying at Lake George. We began preparing for the four mile hike up to Lake George. We headed for the Ashford Grocery Store first to make sure we were good to go with all of our meals. We packed up our bags and began the trek upwards.

The first three miles of the hike were on a gravel road – not exactly what we were looking for, but we still enjoyed it. In the 370 square mile National Park there is a lot of rockfall, which many times damages the roads. The Westside Road had some huge boulders that had damaged and blocked the road, so we hiked three miles up from the parking area to the trailhead. After an hour and a half to the trailhead, we had a 0.9 mile hike to the Lake George campground. The trail was a gradual uphill with several great views of waterfalls and Mount Rainier. We had a wonderful view of Mount Rainier on a cloudless day, which we were told was quite rare. As probably the most prominent stratovolcano in the Cascade Mountain Range, Rainier creates its own weather patterns, and visitors are seldom able to see the whole mountain. We were quite fortunate to have been in the park on the right day! Our trek took just a bit over two hours, and served as a great introduction for my sister, Kendall, who was backpacking for the first time.

When we got to the campground and began to search for a good place to put up tents, we found a lean-to that blended into the surrounding landscape. Rather than setting up tents, we planned to stay under the lean-to. We used the time we would have spent setting the tents up to instead hike around the Lake. Our dinner of rice with quinoa and kale with lentils to go over them while looking at the lake made for a great evening. I think Kendall was impressed with our “luxurious” backcountry dinner.

While in the lean-to, Kendall, Dad, and I joked and told stories. It was great to hear some of Dad’s stories about his climbs on Mount Rainier.

The outdoor style grill where we stopped for lunch

The Longmire Wilderness Information Center constructed in 1928 is made out of local glacial boulders and cedar logs. It served as the administration building for the Park before it became the Wilderness Information center in 1976.

A view of Rainier along our trek with a glacial river (The Tacoma River) in the foreground.

Dad and Kendall look upon the stratovolcano from a switchback on the trail

Lake George

Our final destination for the day: the lean-to on Lake George

Our camp stove cooked dinner of lentils served over rice with quinoa and kale. It was delicious!