The Cascades - Washington State - page 304

SEEING THE HIGHLIGHTS
Just past the main southwest entrance (Nisqually), you'll come to Longmire, site
of the National Park Inn, Longmire Museum (exhibits on the park's natural and
human history; open daily year-round), a hiker-information center that issues
backcountry permits, and a ski-touring center where you can rent cross-country
skis in winter.
The road then climbs to Paradise (elevation 5,400 ft.), the aptly named
mountainside aerie that affords a breathtaking close-up view of the mountain.
Paradise is the park's most popular destination, so expect crowds. During July
and August the meadows here are ablaze with wildflowers. The circular Henry
M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center ( & 360/569-2211, ext. 2328) provides
360-degree panoramic views. The visitor center is open daily from early May to
mid-October and on weekends and holidays from mid-October to early May. A
1 1 ⁄ 4 -mile walk from the visitor center will bring you to a spot from which you
can look down on the Nisqually Glacier. Many miles of other trails lead out
from Paradise, looping through meadows and up onto snowfields above timber-
line. It's not unusual to find plenty of snow at Paradise as late as July.
In summer you can continue beyond Paradise to the Ohanapecosh Visitor
Center ( & 360/569-6046 ), which is open weekends from late May to mid-
June and daily from mid-June to early October. Not far from this visitor center,
you can walk through the Grove of the Patriarchs (see “Hiking & Backpack-
ing,” below, for details). Continuing around the mountain, you'll reach the
turnoff for Sunrise.
Continuing counterclockwise around the mountain, you'll come to Cayuse
Pass. A short detour from this pass will bring you to the picturesque Chinook
Pass area, where there is a good 4 1 ⁄ 2 -mile day-hike loop trail that begins at Tip-
soo Lake and circles Naches Peak.
Continuing around the mountain, you'll come to the turnoff for the park's
White River entrance. This road leads to some of the park's best day hikes, and
a spur road leads to the White River Campground. At 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the
highest spot in the park accessible by car. A beautiful old log lodge serves as the
Sunrise Visitor Center ( & 360/663-2425 ), which is open daily from July
through mid-September. From here you get a superb view of Mount Rainier,
seemingly at arm's length, and Emmons Glacier, which is the largest glacier in
the 48 contiguous states. From Sunrise, you can also see Mount Baker to the
north and Mount Adams to the south. Some of the park's most scenic trails
begin at Sunrise, providing lots of options for day hikes.
If you want to see a bit of dense forest or hike without crowds, head for the
park's Carbon River entrance in the northwest corner. This is the least visited
region of the park because it only offers views to those willing to hike several
miles uphill. About 3 miles up the trail, you'll come face to face with the Car-
bon River Glacier, which is the lowest-elevation glacier in the contiguous 48
states. At its lower end this glacier plows through dense rainforest, an ominous
and unforgettable sight. Continuing up this trail another 2 miles (following the
glacier for much of the way) will bring you to beautiful wildflower meadows and
close-up views of the northwest flank of Mount Rainier. The road into this area
is in very bad shape. Currently high-clearance vehicles are recommended.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN & NEAR THE NATIONAL PARK
If, after a long day of taking advantage of the outdoor activities available in the
park, you'd like to soak in a hot tub or get a massage, contact the little woodland
spa called Wellspring ( & 360/569-2514 ). You'll find Wellspring in Ashford not