![]() Paradise is located at 5,400 feet, and is where the park’s main visitor centers is located. From Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is a hundred and seven miles to the southeast. But, for first time visitors, the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point is a great hike that allows one to experience amazing views of the mountain, and if timed right, the fantastic meadow flowers.ĭirections: Although Mount Rainier is visible from many location in Washington, the closest largest city is Seattle. While the wildflowers have continued to bloom since that time, and the mountain remains eternally impressive, the amount of people visiting Rainier has increased exponentially. the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings.” (Visitors to the park will notice this quote prominently displayed on steps near the Visitor Center at Paradise). This lush growth inspired numerous items in the park, including the name of the main area - Paradise - by Virinda Longmire in 1885, and even lead the famous naturalist John Muir to state the following about the meadows near Paradise: “". In the later afternoon the sun will obscure your view but it is still well worth all the effort to get there.In addition to the spectacle that is the mountain, the areas and meadows surrounding Mount Rainier during the summer months provide some of the most spectacular displays of wildflowers on the west coast. ![]() If you're here in the morning or early afternoon with good weather then you have a terrific straight on view of the Mt. Panorama Point is a large rock outcropping and has great views to the west. If you really want to stick to the official trails keep on the BCT until it intersects with the Panorama Point Trail, otherwise follow the unofficial trail up for just a short way until you pop out at Panorama Point. You'll see a log blocking the unofficial and unsigned trail up to Panorama Point. 5 mile and when you see the 1.5 mile marker, look to the opposite side of the trail. Start heading uphill (keeping your eyes and ears peeled for mountain bikers) and follow the good trail as it rolls along through the evergreen forest.Īt the 1 mile mark there is a rock outcropping that provides the first views west towards Mt. While the hike has been pleasant up to this point, this is where it gets really fun. Here, the BCT turns to the left and heads straight uphill. You'll pass by a (seemingly) wonderful private event venue and turn a sharp corner at which point you'll find yourself at another trailhead for the BCT. The trail winds along through cottonwoods and skirting the canyon wall. The trail is relatively flat and follows Bear Creek through wonderful groves of cottonwoods trees.įrom the parking area, head west on the Bear Creek Trail and follow the flat trail along Bear Creek. The stretch of the BCT that runs through Lair o' the Bear is extremely pretty and easy to hike. The Bear Creek Trail runs all the way from Little Park, through Lair o' the Bear Park and Corwina Park, and ends at O'Fallon Park (8 miles later). The main hike at Lair o' the Bear Park is the Bruins Bluff hike, bu the park also contains almost 2 miles of the Bear Creek Trail. Exit at the Morrison Exit, drive through the town of Morrison and head up through Bear Creek Canyon (74) to the trailhead on the left, just past the town of Ideldale. ![]() Directions: From Denver, take I-70 West to C-470 East.
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