We took the day to drive the volcanic Mt Rainier in a modified loop throughout the park. Cia enjoys driving mountain roads but the 1920’s era can get narrow.
We ventured from our camp-ground (the Dalles- just outside the park) intending to start at the Sunset viewing area and visitor center. We failed to realize that it was Saturday with a 90 minute backup just to get to the ranger entrance. We went for plan “B” and turned around to approach the park from another access. While advising others in the long line of the delay, the car behind us didn’t appreciate our efforts and flipped us off. Welcome to a Washington weekend.
Google took us a long was around the perimeter of the park and we accessed via the Nisqually entrance with the first stop at the Longmire Museum and historic site.
On to Paradise and the Henry M Jackson visitor center for magnificent view of /Rainier and many of the 25 glacier fields.
Driving the Stevens Parkway on to Ohanapacosh visitor center, known for the hot-springs and ancient peoples meeting grounds. Waterfall viewing would have been better earlier in the season.
Back to Sunrise / White River visitor center on the complete other side of the mountain. Beautiful but recommend seeing it with the morning light… hence sunrise viewing area.
This amounted to 7 hours of driving. Back to camp, a beverage and a walk about…