Washington Cascades - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 342

Tours Northwest BUS TOUR
( 888-293-1404; www.toursnorthwest.com ; 10hr tours $119; Apr-Nov) Twenty-four-passen-
ger 'mini coaches' head out from Seattle and up to Paradise and back, stopping at all the
sights and leaving time for short hikes.
Sleeping & Eating
Beyond what we've listed here there are numerous sleeping options between Elbe and
Copper Creek, close to the park entrance. A great option is one of the many cabin rentals.
Try www.visitrainier.com for options.
Whittaker's Motel & Bunkhouse HOSTEL$
( 360-569-2439; www.whittakersbunkhouse.com ; 30205 SR 706 E; dm/d $35/90; ) Part of
Rainier's 'furniture,' Whittaker's is the home base of legendary Northwestern climber
Lou Whittaker, who first summited the mountain at the age of 19 and has guided count-
less adventurers to the top in the years since. Down-to-earth and comfortable, this place
has a good old-fashioned youth-hostel feel, with cheap sleeps available in six-bed dorms.
The alluring on-site Whittaker's Café & Espresso ( 7am-9pm) is a fine place to
hunker down for breakfast - no cling-wrapped day-old muffins here. It's open weekends
only in winter.
Nisqually Lodge MOTEL$
( 360-569-8804; http://nisqually.whitepasstravel.com ; 31609 SR 706 E; r $78-98; ) With
an expansive lobby complete with crackling fireplace and huge well-stocked rooms, this
lodge is far plusher than an average motel. The outdoor Jacuzzi and easy access to the
park pretty much seal the deal in this price bracket.
Cougar Rock Campground CAMPGROUND$
( 360-569-2211; campsites late Jun-Labor Day $15, rest of season $12; late May-mid-Oct)
Cougar Rock, 2.3 miles north of Longmire on the way to Paradise, has 173 individual
campsites and flush toilets. Rangers lead campfire talks on summer evenings.
Paradise Inn HISTORIC HOTEL$$$
( 360-569-2275; www.mtrainierguestservices.com ; r with shared/private bath from $69/114;
May-Oct) The historic Paradise was constructed in 1916. Designed to blend in with the en-
vironment and constructed almost entirely of local materials, including exposed cedar
logs in the Great Room, the hotel was an early blueprint for National Park-rustic-style ar-
chitecture countrywide.