The Cascades - Washington State - page 306

to pick up a permit at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center ( & 360/569-
4453; fax [phone]), the Paradise Ranger Station ( & 360/569-2211, ext.
2314), the White River Wilderness Information Center ( & 360/663-2273, ext.
222), or, seasonally, the Wilkeson Ranger Station ( & 360/829-5127 ) on the road
to the Carbon River entrance to the park. For stays between May through Sep-
tember, reservations for backcountry campsites can be made beginning on April 1.
Backcountry reservations cost $20 per party and can be made only by mail or fax.
HORSEBACK RIDING If you'd like to do some horseback riding, you've got
a couple of choices in the area. In Elbe, you'll find EZ Times Trail Rides, 18703
Wash. 706 ( & 360/569-2449 ), which leads rides into the Elbe State Forest.
During the summer, horseback riding is also available at Crystal Mountain ski
area ( & 360/663-2265 ). East of White Pass on U.S. 12, you'll find Indian
Creek Corral ( & 509/672-2400 ) near the shore of Rimrock Lake. Expect to
pay $20 to $25 for a 1-hour ride and around $40 for a 2-hour ride.
MOUNTAIN BIKING Within the national park all trails are closed to
mountain bikes, but cyclists are allowed to ride the West Side Road, a gravel
road that has long been closed to cars due to mudslides that have repeatedly
washed out one short stretch of the road. Off this road are several little-used hik-
ing trails if you want to combine a ride with a hike.
MOUNTAINEERING Climbers know of Mount Rainier's reputation as a train-
ing ground for making attempts on higher peaks, such as Mount Everest. If you're
interested in taking a mountain-climbing class, contact Rainier Mountaineering,
P.O. Box Q, Ashford, WA 98304 ( & 888/892-5462; www.rmiguides.com), which
operates inside Mount Rainier National Park and offers 1-day classes for $160,
3-day summit climbs for $770, and a 5-day mountaineering seminar for $1,150.
WHITE-WATER RAFTING The Tieton River, which flows down the east-
ern slopes of the Cascades to the east of the national park, is one of the state's
most popular rafting rivers. However, the rafting season lasts for only about 3
weeks during the annual September drawdown of water from Rimrock Reser-
voir. Rafting companies offering trips on this river include Alpine Adventures
( & 800/723-8386 or 206/323-1220; www.alpineadventures.com) and River
Riders ( & 800/448-RAFT or 206/448-RAFT; www.riverrider.com). Expect to
pay $60 to $80.
WINTER SPORTS In winter, there's good cross-country skiing at Paradise, and
at Longmire, you'll find a ski touring and rental shop at the National Park Inn
( & 360/569-2411 ). Skis rent for around $15 per day. Daily between Christmas
and New Year's and on winter weekends, there are 2-hour guided snowshoe
walks at Paradise, with snowshoes provided ($1 suggested donation). Snowshoes
($12 per day) can also be rented in Longmire, should you want to explore on your
own. Snowboarding is popular throughout the year, though there is no lift to get
you up the slope, and it's about a 1 1 ⁄ 2 -hour climb to the best snowboarding area.
Outside the park, near the town of Packwood, you can ski cross-country from
hut to hut on a 50-mile trail system. For more information, contact the Mount
Tahoma Trails Association, P.O. Box 206, Ashford, WA 98304 ( & 360/569-
2451; www.skimtta.com). Unfortunately, many of these trails are at such low
elevations that snow cover is unreliable, and the official season for these trails does
not begin until the end of December.
Just outside the northeast corner of the park, off Wash. 410, you'll find Crystal
Mountain Resort ( & 360/663-2265 for general information, or 888/SKI-6199
for snow conditions; www.skicrystal.com), which most Washingtonians agree is the