Pedaling from the Midwest, I had just cycled over the summit of White Pass in the Cascades in lower Washington when I rounded a turn and Mt. Rainer in the far distance appeared before my eyes, more beautiful than any painting or photo could possibly capture. Others around me in the turnout were awed and spoke in hushed tones. There was a woman standing next to me who was as equally moved and we faced each other for a time, sharing the moment and silently grinning. She took my photo. …I often think of that brief meeting with warmth and continue to appreciate its uniqueness.
Sincerely,
Mount Rainier National Park
Majestic Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and an active volcano with more glaciers than any other mountain in the United States. Just an hour's drive from Seattle, the park's wild landscape feels much further from civilization. The forests, parkland, wetlands, lakes and rivers offer 260 miles of trails and varied habitat to dozens of plant and animal species.
State(s): Washington
Established: 1899
“I am a 72 year old adventure cyclist and have completed four solo 4,000 mile plus USA bicycle tours since retirement. I make it a focal point to include our national parks to my itinerary on every trip. I never cease to be awed and inspired by the grandeur and vastness of our stewardship and am most grateful that past leaders had the insight to save these lands as a birthright to our future generations. ”
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Greetings from Mount Rainier National Park
This summer, I visited Sunrise to see the sunrise with my family. We crawled out of bed at 2 AM and prepared for the long drive ahead of us. At 5 AM, we finally arrived. The sun wasn’t up yet, and none of us were fully awake, but despite how…
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Greetings from Mount Rainier National Park
On our first date, we connected over our tales of the outdoors - the mountains we’d climbed, the backpacking trips we’d accomplished, the feeling of peace in laying in silence under the stars. Since getting married, we’ve taken up travel full-time, gravitating to places where park lands are aplenty and…
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