I'm planning a 4-5 day "weekend" on the east side of Mt. St. Helens (been there many times) and at Mt. Rainier, likely staying at the Paradise Inn lodge. I've never been to Rainier or the lodge before, and I'm eager for others' advice on timing the trip.
We will likely go on a Wednesday and leave on a Sunday (always easier to leave when the masses have descended). I'm thinking first week of August to capitalize on flowers and higher elevation hiking opportunities, but I could go later. Would you shoot for the 4th or the 11th?
It's anybody's guess as to which of those two weeks would be best, particularly this far out. As of today there is a little over 11 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise with more expected over the next few days. The difference between those two choices probably won't be that great particularly when you consider the end of the first week as compared to the beginning of the second week.
I usually figure the first week of August for peak flowers but it is highly variable. I don't think you could go wrong with either week as there is always something/plenty to do at Rainier.
If you are planning to stay at the Paradise Inn, be sure to make reservations now. It is extremely popular, even more so now than just a few years ago.
Thanks, Jim and Mark. I am planning to make reservations this weekend. According to their website, there are plenty of vacancies, but when I went to Crater Lake Lodge last summer the web site said they were booked and a quick call determined otherwise.
I think I'll go with the earlier week...if patches of snow remain and only earlier flowers are showing that would be better than being past prime.
Have any of you ever stayed at both the lodge and the annex? I'm an old lodge fanatic and I love a view out my window, but the reviews suggest it's much like Timberline (worn out beds and sounds of phlegm and more from next door ;-). I'm inclined to stay in the main lodge anyway becuase that's part of the experience, but if the annex has equally nice views, we might go for an in-room bathroom.
Most likely your timing will be just about right for wildflowers. Skyline Trail and the Lakes Trail, both accessed right from the Paradise Lodge are highly recommended, but check with the Visitor Center rangers for current advice on best areas for flowers.
I haven't stayed at Paradise Inn, but keep in mind that the Annex is not exactly new, either - built in 1920. Views of the Tatoosh Range from the Annex should be spectacular.
Thanks, Greg. I think we'll do the annex. Midnight bathroom trips down a hall are a bummer, and Tatoosh range sounds like a good idea. I might otherwise be tempted to fixate only on Rainier.
August should be a good time. I recommend hiking up to Van Trump Park if you're a hiker. The trip itself is phenomenally beautiful even just to Comet Falls, which you'll probably love. By the beginning of August, the section of the trail up to Van Trump Park should be sufficiently snow-free to be safe (though with the snowline back down to 3000 feet for a couple of days late last week, all bets may well be off). Van Trump Park resembles Paradise, but without the crowds, and with dramatic views of both Point Success and the panorama below (photographed from right around the end of the maintained trail into Van Trump Park). You can actually both Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens from there.
The beginning of August is also a good time for avalanche lillies. Van Trump Park is full of 'em. By the time the trail up is snow-free, the place is already ablaze with color.
Thanks, Rakesh. I made my reservations today for the second week...only the main lodge available for the first two weeks of August at this point....Annex all booked up, or so they say even mid-week.
Feel free to chime in with other good places to check out. I'm up for hiking up to about 7-8 miles and 2600' of gain (I wore out my feet in my thirties and can't do much more than that without aggravating a chronic injury--No more Dog Mountain for me )
Discussion
7 repliesWe will likely go on a Wednesday and leave on a Sunday (always easier to leave when the masses have descended). I'm thinking first week of August to capitalize on flowers and higher elevation hiking opportunities, but I could go later. Would you shoot for the 4th or the 11th?
I usually figure the first week of August for peak flowers but it is highly variable. I don't think you could go wrong with either week as there is always something/plenty to do at Rainier.
I think I'll go with the earlier week...if patches of snow remain and only earlier flowers are showing that would be better than being past prime.
Have any of you ever stayed at both the lodge and the annex? I'm an old lodge fanatic and I love a view out my window, but the reviews suggest it's much like Timberline (worn out beds and sounds of phlegm and more from next door ;-). I'm inclined to stay in the main lodge anyway becuase that's part of the experience, but if the annex has equally nice views, we might go for an in-room bathroom.
I haven't stayed at Paradise Inn, but keep in mind that the Annex is not exactly new, either - built in 1920. Views of the Tatoosh Range from the Annex should be spectacular.
http://whitecranephotography.smugmug.com/Panoramas/Panoramas/eMount-Adams-115x345-1/614022651_XTFW3-M-3.jpg
The beginning of August is also a good time for avalanche lillies. Van Trump Park is full of 'em. By the time the trail up is snow-free, the place is already ablaze with color.
Feel free to chime in with other good places to check out. I'm up for hiking up to about 7-8 miles and 2600' of gain (I wore out my feet in my thirties and can't do much more than that without aggravating a chronic injury--No more Dog Mountain for me